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DT Portrait of Debra Thurman

Debra Thurman

Compassionate guidance with practical tools

LCSW Montana

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Debra

About Debra

Debra Thurman is an LCSW practicing in Montana with 25 years of clinical experience. She brings a long track record of supporting adults through challenges such as stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and grief, and assists people navigating life transitions, parenting concerns, career changes, and relationship difficulties.

Background and approach

Her work also addresses trauma and abuse, sleep problems, bipolar disorder, and issues related to LGBT identity. She emphasizes respectful, sensitive, and compassionate care and adapts treatment to each person's circumstances.

Her approach combines practical, evidence-informed strategies with a collaborative, person-centered stance. Debra uses cognitive behavioral techniques alongside acceptance and commitment ideas and emotion-focused methods to help clients build coping skills, increase self-understanding, and create concrete steps toward meaningful goals.

She aims to empower clients by tailoring conversations and treatment plans to individual strengths and values, recognizing that reaching out for help takes courage. Sessions are offered through a range of online formats to fit varied schedules and needs.

Prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire to begin, and scheduling is arranged based on therapist availability.

Online therapy with evidence-informed approaches



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to change them; it is often used for problems like anxiety, depression, and stress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult internal experiences, and take committed action toward meaningful goals, which can be useful for coping with chronic distress and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, creating space for clients to explore concerns at their own pace while the therapist offers support and understanding.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. The therapist collaborates with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts techniques over time as progress and circumstances evolve. This collaborative process helps ensure therapy aligns with what matters most to the individual.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, allow ongoing support between in-person possibilities, and provide options for people who prefer different ways of communicating with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Debra address?
She works with issues including stress, anxiety, anger, depression, grief and loss, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, parenting and career concerns, bipolar disorder, LGBT-related matters, and related challenges.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her style is respectful and compassionate, blending client-centered conversation with practical techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-informed approaches.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on a wide range of mental health and life challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She holds the LCSW credential and is licensed in Montana with the designation MT LCSW BBH-LCSW-LIC-1005.
Does she provide services in languages other than English or to international clients?
Services are provided in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for working together?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Fees vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Montana

Languages

English