Profile / United States
Debbie Chirikos, LCSW
Illinois
LCSW - CBT focused counselor; stress and relationship concerns
See online therapy options- CBT techniques
- Attachment work
- Client-centered care
About Debbie
Debbie Chirikos is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 40 years of experience in clinical social work. She practices in Illinois and focuses on stress, anxiety, family and parenting concerns, self-esteem, depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and related struggles. She works with people who want practical, direct help and who are ready to examine patterns that hold them back.
Debbie uses straightforward conversation and active listening to help clients notice thoughts and habits that keep problems going. She combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with attachment-informed and client-centered ways of working. That means she helps people identify unhelpful thinking, test different responses, and pay attention to important relationship patterns.
Her background includes a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from universities in Colorado. Over four decades she has worked in multiple states and settings, which she says has kept her approach flexible and current. She emphasizes clear feedback and practical steps rather than long, abstract discussions.
Debbie expects effort and honesty in sessions. She describes herself as attentive and patient with people who repeat self-defeating behaviors. She often uses humor as a tool in sessions when it helps reduce tension and open new perspectives.
People who want concrete strategies, behavioral experiments, and steady support are likely to find her style useful. To begin, she asks clients to reflect on what they want to change and to be willing to try new ways of responding to old problems.
How her approaches fit into online work
Debbie combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with attachment-informed and client-centered methods. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. Attachment-informed work looks at how early relationship patterns influence current responses and helps people notice and change those patterns. Client-centered work emphasizes listening and practical feedback to help clients clarify goals and make choices.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. She will discuss which methods seem likely to help based on the client’s goals, preferences, and what shows up in early sessions. That collaboration shapes which techniques or exercises are used going forward.
The biography does not specify session formats, so confirm the available online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow for shorter check-ins if needed, and remove travel time. Many people find that working this way helps them practice new skills in the context of everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma and related concerns such as grief and sleep problems.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help clients notice unhelpful thoughts and test different behaviors. Sessions focus on practical steps and small experiments to change daily patterns.
What is her professional background?
She has 40 years of experience as a clinical social worker and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Clinical Social Work.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and practices there.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are session payments handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start sessions with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule 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 you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.