Profile / United States
Debra Sarno, LCSW
New York
LCSW - Stress and anxiety focus
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness techniques
- Solution-focused work
About Debra
Debra Sarno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York with 30 years of experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, grief, parenting concerns, self-esteem, coping with life changes, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, and mood disorders. Debra also lists work related to ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, and workplace concerns.
She trained at Columbia University School of Social Work and completed additional study with the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. Her background includes practice in clinics, hospitals, and schools, and she is a certified school social worker. Those settings inform how she structures sessions and responds to practical problems.
Debra uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered methods, mindfulness therapy, solution-focused therapy, and hypnotherapy. In sessions she helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits, try alternate responses, and set small, clear goals. Work often centers on skills for managing anxiety, improving communication, and handling grief.
Sessions emphasize concrete strategies and step-by-step plans. She and the client create a treatment plan that outlines goals and actions. Progress is reviewed regularly so plans can be adjusted when needed.
Her experience with blended family issues, caregiving stress, chronic illness, end-of-life concerns, and relationship challenges shapes a practical approach. People who want structured, goal-oriented work that includes mindfulness and behavioral techniques will find this style direct and action focused.
How CBT and related approaches are used in online work
Debra combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with client-centered and mindfulness approaches to focus on clear, practical steps. CBT involves spotting unhelpful thoughts, testing them, and practicing different behaviors to see what works. This is useful for anxiety, depression, and habit change.Client-centered work emphasizes listening and responding to what the person says, helping clients set goals in their own words. Mindfulness therapy teaches attention skills and simple exercises to reduce reactivity and manage stress in daily life.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. The therapist will work with the client to decide which approaches fit their goals and preferences. That decision is collaborative and may shift as progress is reviewed.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also supports using worksheets, behavioral experiments, and guided mindfulness exercises between meetings to keep progress moving.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, parenting and self-esteem, plus mood disorders and relationship and family issues.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT is used to identify unhelpful thought patterns and test new ways of responding. Sessions include behavioral experiments and practical skill practice.
What is her professional background?
She trained at Columbia University School of Social Work, studied with the New York Milton H. Erickson Society, and has worked in clinics, hospitals, and schools over 30 years.
What credentials and location apply?
She is an LCSW licensed in New York and practices in New York.
Which languages are offered and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify formats.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the 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.