Therapist profile
Debra Thurman, LCSW
Montana
LCSW - Anxiety and Codependency concerns
Continue with DebraWhere Debra stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, Montana / BBH-LCSW-LIC-1005
- NPI
- 1376834440
- Experience
- 25 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Montana
About
- ACT
- CBT
- Client-centered
About Debra
Debra Thurman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Montana with 25 years of experience. She prefers to work with adults and helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, mood concerns, and life changes.
She also works with concerns related to trauma and abuse, sleep problems, parenting stress, career challenges, and relationship patterns such as codependency. Additional focus areas include aging and geriatric issues, autism and Asperger syndrome, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and grief or end of life issues.
Her approach is practical and conversation-based. Sessions focus on clear goals and tools people can use between meetings. She uses methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy to help people learn new skills and try different ways of coping.
In sessions she helps people notice unhelpful patterns, practice new responses, and set manageable steps toward change. That can mean learning ways to manage overwhelming feelings, reducing avoidance, or practicing more direct communication when others’ needs take over.
People who have lived with ongoing caretaking roles, difficulty saying no, or trouble reclaiming their own needs may find the focus here fits. To start, she asks people to complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first meeting so they can agree on goals and a plan.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and then choose actions that align with personal values. It can be useful for people who feel ruled by anxiety, guilt, or a need to keep others comfortable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. It often includes practical exercises to do between sessions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration so people can find their own solutions and build confidence in making changes.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will review a person’s needs, goals, and preferences and recommend which methods to prioritize. That decision is made together and can change as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm the current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into daily life, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people practice new skills in real-life routines and bring those experiences back to discuss during sessions.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Montana
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, trauma, sleep problems, parenting strain, career issues, and codependency among other concerns.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a conversational, goal-focused style and draws on ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, and client-centered methods to teach skills and try new behaviors.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 25 years of professional experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a Montana LCSW and works with people located in Montana.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions billed?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.