Debra Schwarze, LCPC, LPC - Therapist in Illinois

About Debra

Debra Schwarze is a licensed counselor who supports people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and caregiving strain. She also helps with relationship and family concerns, sleep troubles, self-esteem, mood disorders, and life changes. Debra brings three decades of experience in mental health to each conversation.

She practices from Illinois and holds both LCPC and LPC credentials. Her sessions use clear, plain language and focus on what feels most pressing. She listens first and then offers practical steps you can try between meetings.

Background and approach

Debra often combines talking with hands-on activities when it seems helpful, including art making for feelings that are hard to name. Debra draws on approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR to address anxiety, trauma, and mood problems. She also uses client-centered and mindfulness methods to support coping, self-awareness, and emotion regulation.

Treatment is shaped to each person’s needs rather than following one fixed plan. She has worked in community mental health, schools, faith-based programs, health systems, and independent practice. That range informs a flexible style and comfort with different life contexts, including end-of-life and cancer-related concerns.

When someone begins with her, Debra aims to make the first steps straightforward. She helps set clear goals, teaches practical skills, and invites honest feedback so the work stays useful. The focus is on small, manageable changes that build over time.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. The therapist follows the client’s pace, reflects concerns, and helps the person find their own solutions; this approach supports people coping with life changes, grief, and ongoing stress.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches practical skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood shifts, and change unhelpful patterns that get in the way of daily life.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, known as EMDR, is a targeted approach for processing traumatic memories and reducing their emotional impact. It can be useful for people who have experienced abuse, accidents, or other distressing events.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss options, try methods that fit the client’s goals, and adjust as needed. Clients are invited to give feedback so the plan stays useful and relevant.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people meet face-to-face from home, phone sessions work when video is not possible, and live chat or text-based messaging provide shorter check-ins and ongoing support. These formats make it easier to keep therapy consistent around busy schedules and caregiving responsibilities.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

EMDR

A structured protocol used with distressing memories, pairing recall with guided attention tasks. Some therapists adapt it for video sessions; whether that fits is worth asking about directly.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Debra commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related topics.

What is her approach in sessions?

Sessions are conversational and practical. Debra listens closely, helps set small goals, and suggests tools to practice between meetings.

What background does she bring to therapy?

She has about 30 years of experience across community mental health, schools, faith-based work, health systems, and independent practice.

Which credentials and location are listed?

Debra holds LCPC and LPC credentials and practices in Illinois. Her license numbers are IL LCPC 180-005252 and WI LPC 7605-125.

In what language are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and payment work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 30 years
Licensed: Illinois, Wisconsin
Languages: English

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