- Stress and anxiety
- Mindfulness methods
- Trauma-focused care
About Debra
Debra Peterson-Smith is a New York LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 21 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, family conflict, grief and loss, and parenting challenges. She also supports those dealing with relationship and intimacy questions, addictions, and transitions that leave them unsure what comes next.
Her approach is straightforward and conversational. She uses mindfulness and solution-focused ideas to help people notice what matters and try practical steps. For trauma or deep wounds she draws on trauma-focused work and parts-based thinking to help people make sense of painful memories and reactions.
In sessions she listens for patterns that get in the way of everyday life, such as sleep or eating problems, low self-esteem, or feeling stuck in a career or caregiving role. She helps people identify small experiments they can use between meetings to test what changes feel helpful. Those steps are discussed and adjusted as needed.
Debra has also worked with issues related to aging, blended families, divorce and separation, hospice and end-of-life concerns, and questions about life purpose. She uses clear, practical language and keeps the focus on specific problems and workable options rather than abstract theory.
To begin, clients are invited to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Payment is described as varying by location and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How her approaches shape online work
Debra commonly uses mindfulness therapy to help people practice noticing thoughts and bodily signals without getting swept up in them; this can help with anxiety, sleep, and stress management. She also draws on solution-focused therapy to set clear goals and try small, practical changes that can be evaluated from one session to the next. Trauma-focused therapy is used when past events continue to affect daily life, with attention to reducing distress and building coping strategies.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Debra collaborates with each person to decide which combination of methods fits their needs, goals, and personal preferences. Plans are adjusted over time based on what proves most helpful in real life.
The practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and reducing travel time so therapy can be more consistent. Because the biography does not specify which session formats are offered, confirm current session options before booking. This helps make sure the chosen format - whether it is video, phone, or another arrangement if available - suits timing, bandwidth, and how much visual contact feels comfortable.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, family conflict, grief, parenting issues, relationship and intimacy concerns, addictions, and life changes including career and caregiving stress.
How does she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She uses conversational, practical methods including mindfulness and solution-focused techniques to identify small, testable steps clients can try between sessions.
What is her professional background?
She has 21 years of professional experience working with a broad range of concerns, including trauma, grief, and family issues.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How is payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.