- Person-centered listening
- Goal-oriented steps
- Mindfulness practice
About Debra
Debra Sarno is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in New York. She brings 30 years of experience to sessions and focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, parenting concerns, and life transitions. Her approach centers on the person in front of her and on practical steps toward clearer goals.
She practices Client-Centered Therapy, which means she emphasizes listening and responding to each person's needs. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and Mindfulness Therapy to build present-moment skills. These approaches are used together to address mood disorders, relationship and communication problems, and coping with chronic illness or caregiving strain.
Debra has worked in clinics, hospitals, and schools, and she draws on that variety of experience when planning care. She aims to create a calm, respectful space where people can talk about difficult topics like trauma, intimacy-related issues, anger, and workplace stress. Sessions include goal-setting and steps people can try between meetings.
Her background includes clinical training at Columbia University School of Social Work and study with the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. She also has experience as a school social worker. These roles inform how she supports people through divorce, blended family issues, and end-of-life concerns.
People who reach out will find practical tools alongside a listening presence. Debra works collaboratively to set targets and adjust the plan as needs change. To start, follow the site process to match and schedule a session.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person's concerns. In practice this means the therapist prioritizes your goals and adjusts pace and topics to match what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact, and it teaches simple exercises to try between sessions to shift patterns that cause distress. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment skills that reduce reactivity and support coping with anxiety, chronic pain, and stress.Choosing the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will ask about your needs, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together you will set goals and try methods that fit your life, then check in and refine the plan as you go.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when a full session is not possible. It also lets people practice mindfulness and CBT skills in their everyday environments and bring real-life examples to sessions for immediate discussion.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
Debra works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, grief, parenting, self-esteem, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, anger, career and workplace issues, mood disorders, and ADHD.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She emphasizes a Client-Centered Therapy stance, meaning sessions start with listening to what matters most to you and building plans from there. She mixes in practical methods like CBT and mindfulness to help you try different approaches between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of clinical experience working in clinics, hospitals, and schools, bringing that background into how she plans and adjusts care.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, practicing in New York. Her training includes Columbia University School of Social Work and study with the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs handled?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability; services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.