Therapist profile
Debra Thurman, LCSW
Montana
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Anger and Anxiety
Continue with DebraKey details
- CredentialsLCSW
- LicenseLCSW, Montana / BBH-LCSW-LIC-1005
- NPI1376834440
- Experience25 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationMontana
About
- ACT and CBT methods
- DBT skills practice
- Short practical steps
About Debra
Debra Thurman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Montana with 25 years of clinical experience. She primarily prefers to work with adults and focuses on stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and related concerns. She also addresses issues around self-esteem, coping with life changes, grief, and motivation.
Before private practice, she worked across age ranges from early teens to older adults, which shaped a practical, straightforward approach. Sessions tend to focus on what is happening now and what practical steps a person can try between meetings. Debra uses a mix of strategies drawn from several therapeutic approaches to match what a person needs in the moment.
People meet her for everyday problems and for longer-standing struggles. That includes sleep troubles, parenting strain, career stress, relationship wounds, trauma and abuse, and mood disorders such as bipolar. She also supports those dealing with chronic illness, caregiving burden, and life transitions including divorce and bereavement.
Her style favors clear goals and concrete skills - for example, ways to handle anger before it escalates and tools to reduce ongoing anxiety. She adapts conversations and treatment steps to each person's situation rather than following a rigid script. Debra will work with someone to set reasonable, measurable steps and check progress over time.
Sessions are conducted in English and are based in Montana. Cost varies by location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online options button.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and values, then taking committed steps toward what matters. ACT can help with anger and anxiety by shifting the focus from trying to fight thoughts to acting in line with goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches specific skills to change unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and managing responses to stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT techniques can be useful when strong emotions like anger threaten relationships or work functioning.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Debra will talk with each person about goals, symptoms, and what feels practical for day-to-day life. Together they decide whether to emphasize ACT, CBT, DBT skills, or a mix so sessions reflect the client's needs and preferences.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals, including therapists, can use these methods effectively in remote sessions while tailoring exercises and homework to a person's routine.
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
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and related issues such as sleep problems, trauma, parenting strain, and career stress.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and goal-focused, using clear skills and steps to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She is based in Montana and is credentialed as an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start working together?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
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 anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.