Debra Schwarze

Debra Schwarze is a licensed counselor with 30 years of experience working in mental health. She holds the LCPC credential (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) in Illinois and the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in Wisconsin. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life changes including divorce and separation.

Her style is straightforward and practical. She listens first, then works with each person to set clear, manageable goals. Sessions often focus on skills people can use between visits to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and manage mood swings.

Debra draws on client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy to guide conversations toward change. She also offers EMDR for trauma and mindfulness practices to reduce stress. When helpful and welcome, she incorporates art making to give difficult feelings a new way to be expressed.

Her background includes roles in community mental health, schools, faith-based programs, health systems, and private practice. She has experience supporting people with mood disorders, ADHD, cancer-related concerns, caregiver stress, and end-of-life issues.

Debra aims to make the first step easier for people who feel uncertain about counseling. She encourages honest conversation and a collaborative approach to therapy. The focus is on small, practical changes that add up to better day-to-day functioning.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and creating goals that matter to the person. It emphasizes empathy and collaboration to help people find their own solutions and build confidence in day-to-day life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, identifies unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches concrete skills to change them, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of treatment. The therapist will work together with the client to choose and adjust methods based on the person’s needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying a technique, checking how it feels, and shifting course if something doesn’t fit.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing sessions from different locations. It can also let people try brief check-ins or audio-only meetings when that fits a schedule better. Licensed professionals bring the same therapeutic tools to remote work, and the focus remains on practical skills and steady progress.