Debra (Debbie) Shepard , LCSW

Debra (Debbie) Shepard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois who helps women facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship struggles, and life changes. She brings 14 years of clinical experience to sessions and focuses on practical steps people can use right away. Her manner is warm and interactive and she aims to make the first steps easier to take.

Debbie uses a mix of approaches that fit each person's needs. She leans on client-centered work to build trust and on cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. Mindfulness practices are offered to help manage strong emotions and reduce reactivity.

In sessions she listens first, then helps set small, achievable goals. Conversations are grounded in real-life problems like sleep or eating concerns, workplace stress, parenting strain, or substance use. She also supports people dealing with trauma, grief, or complicated feelings like guilt and shame.

Her background includes supervisory roles in behavioral health and years of clinical practice with adults confronting mood disorders, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and compassion fatigue. That experience informs how she helps people balance coping skills and longer-term insight.

Debbie uses straightforward language and collaborates on what will work day to day. If a client wants to focus on relationships, communication, or rebuilding confidence, she helps map practical steps and tracks progress over time.

Approach-driven online care that fits your life

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person first, creating space to talk without judgment and helping people clarify their goals and values. It is useful for anyone who needs to feel heard before moving into problem solving.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and change behaviors that keep problems going. CBT is often used for stress, anxiety, mood concerns, sleep problems, and some habit-related issues.

Mindfulness Therapy introduces brief practices to notice thoughts and bodily sensations without getting overwhelmed. These tools can help with emotional regulation, trauma-related reactivity, and day-to-day anxiety.

Finding the right blend of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences, adjusting the plan as needs change.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let people read facial cues and do longer dialogue. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or when someone wants a shorter check-in. Live chat and messaging support quick reflections, ongoing check-ins, or work between sessions. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, parenting, or other commitments.