- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Client-centered listening
About Deborah
Deborah "Debbie" Kirby is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon with 24 years of experience. She has worked with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, career questions, and life changes, and she also offers professional coaching. Debbie’s background includes supporting people through trauma and abuse, eating concerns, parenting strain, compassion fatigue, and LGBT-related matters.
She keeps sessions straightforward and focused on what is happening now. Conversations notice patterns of thought and behavior and look for small, practical ways to try something different. Homework or simple skill practice between meetings is often used to help new habits stick.
Debbie uses a mix of approaches including acceptance and commitment strategies, cognitive-behavioral techniques, attachment ideas, client-centered listening, and dialectical behavior tools. That mix lets her adapt to the problem at hand, whether it is managing panic, working through grief, or handling work stress.
Clients can expect a direct, listening style that addresses feelings and actions. Sessions review current concerns, try out coping techniques, and track what helps over time. The emphasis is on concrete steps rather than long explanations.
To begin, Deborah asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. She practices in Oregon and conducts work in English.
Approaches used and how online sessions work
Debbie commonly draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on noticing thoughts without getting stuck in them and committing to actions that reflect personal values. It can help when worry or avoidance limit day-to-day life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, panic, and stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Debbie will talk with the client about goals, testing out strategies and adjusting methods as needed. The process is collaborative - she helps choose techniques that fit the client’s needs and preferences rather than imposing one method.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. Online care can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It also allows continued work on skills between meetings and helps keep momentum when life gets hectic.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Oregon
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, career questions, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, eating concerns, parenting strain, compassion fatigue, and related issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses direct listening and practical skill-building, focusing on behaviors and thoughts you can try between sessions.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 24 years of professional experience providing therapy and coaching services.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Oregon.
In what language are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to get started?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.