CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

DF Portrait of Debra Fitzgerald

Debra Fitzgerald

Compassionate therapist blending empathy and practical tools

LPC-MHSP Tennessee

Experience
22 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Debra

About Debra

Debra Fitzgerald is a licensed therapist in Tennessee with 22 years of clinical experience guiding people through complex life transitions and emotional challenges.

Background and approach

She draws on a client-centered stance to create a respectful, empathic space where each person’s experience is attended to, and integrates practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when helpful to address patterns of thought and behavior associated with anxiety, depression, and stress.

Her practice includes work with relationship and intimacy concerns, substance use and process addictions, grief and end-of-life issues, body image and eating-related struggles, and caregiver stress. Debra also brings focused experience around midlife transitions, isolation and loneliness, panic attacks, and mood disorders.

She aims to help clients build resilience, clarify goals, and develop skills that support healthier coping and more satisfying day-to-day functioning. Sessions reflect a collaborative approach that honors individual values and pace, with attention to communication patterns and practical problem solving.

Debra holds the credential LPC-MHSP and provides services in English to clients located in Tennessee.

How Therapeutic Approaches Guide Online Care

Debra integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered methods into online work to offer both practical strategies and empathic support. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and teaching concrete skills to manage symptoms like anxiety, panic, and mood disturbances. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, collaborative relationship where the therapist follows the client's lead and helps people feel heard as they explore their concerns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with each client to consider goals, preferences, and the specific challenges they bring, adjusting techniques over time so that interventions fit the person rather than the other way around. This shared decision-making helps clients feel involved and supported as they try different strategies.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase accessibility and scheduling flexibility. These formats allow for continuity of care during busy periods, for those with mobility or transportation limits, and for people who prefer written or shorter-session options, while still focusing on clear treatment goals and practical skill-building.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she commonly address?
Her practice covers stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, substance and process addictions, grief, self-esteem, eating and body image concerns, career stress, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She combines a client-centered, empathetic stance with practical tools, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and communication-focused methods to help clients explore emotions and build coping skills.
What is her professional background and experience?
She has 22 years of clinical experience working with adults through a wide range of emotional and life challenges, including grief, caregiver stress, and midlife transitions.
Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?
She practices in Tennessee and holds the credential LPC-MHSP with licence number TN LPC-MHSP 2502.
In which languages can clients work with her and does she accept international clients?
She offers services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats does she offer for online work?
Available session formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How does pricing work for sessions with her?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteem

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessMidlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Social anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman Method

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

Tennessee

Languages

English