- Client-centered approach
- Cognitive behavioral work
- Mindfulness practices
About Deborah
Deborah 'Rachel' Friedman is an Ohio licensed independent social worker (LISW) with 32 years of experience. She helps people who are coping with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and LGBTQ concerns, including social anxiety and phobia.
Rachel frames the work around the client’s own story and strengths. She uses clear, practical methods to address difficult feelings and upsetting events. Sessions focus on skills people can use between meetings as well as on talking through what’s most pressing in the moment.
Her background includes long clinical practice and additional work training service and companion animals, including psychiatric service dogs. That combination gives a practical, behavior-focused slant to her work when helpful, such as building routines, practicing exposure steps, or planning safety and support around major life events.
Rachel draws from several established approaches. She uses client-centered techniques to listen and reflect, cognitive behavioral strategies to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior, and mindfulness practices to reduce reactivity. She also applies trauma-focused work when past events are central to current problems.
Sessions are straightforward and goal-oriented when needed, with room for slower processing when that’s what helps. People who find social situations, being watched, or speaking up hard will find concrete steps to practice and space to describe what happens for them.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and reflecting. It focuses on what the person says about their life and feelings, and helps people notice their strengths and choices. This approach can help when social anxiety or grief makes it hard to talk about difficult moments.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches clear skills to change them. CBT is often used for anxiety, panic, and phobia work because it breaks problems into small, practiceable steps. Mindfulness therapy adds straightforward attention and breathing exercises to reduce reactivity and build tolerance for uncomfortable feelings.
Deciding which approach fits is part of the first few sessions. The therapist will work with the client to try methods, see what helps, and adjust the plan based on goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process rather than a fixed prescription.
Confirm current session options before booking because formats were not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a weekday or evening routine, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when life is busy. Some approaches translate well to video or phone when practicing exposure steps, doing thought records, or using short mindfulness exercises, but check which formats are offered when you schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
32+ years
Listed in
Ohio
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and LGBTQ related issues, and lists social anxiety and phobia among her focus areas.
What is her style in sessions?
The approach is practical and person-focused, combining listening with skill-building and stepwise practice to manage symptoms between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 32 years of professional work experience and has maintained a clinical practice in Ohio over that time.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an Ohio LISW and practices from Ohio.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.