Profile / United States
Debra Schwarze, LCPC, LPC
Illinois
Licensed counselor - stress and mood concerns
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- EMDR options
- Art therapy available
About Debra
Debra Schwarze, LCPC, LPC, is a licensed counselor in Illinois with 30 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, life changes, compassion fatigue, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, self-esteem struggles, career questions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related issues. Sessions are practical and focused on helping people change thoughts and habits that get in the way of daily life.
She uses a mix of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), client-centered methods, EMDR, and mindfulness. Debra holds master’s degrees in counseling and art therapy and sometimes offers art-making as a way to express things that are hard to put into words. That can be an option when a person is open to it.
Her background includes community mental health, schools, faith-based settings, health systems, and private practice. Over three decades she has worked with people managing mood disorders, panic, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, caregiving stress, end-of-life and cancer-related concerns, and relationship strains. She also supports people dealing with divorce, infidelity, and isolation.
In sessions she prioritizes clear goals and concrete steps. Conversations often focus on noticing unhelpful thoughts, testing new behaviors, and building small routines that help day-to-day functioning. She asks for honest feedback so therapy can be adjusted as progress is tracked.
To begin, people complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session. Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness work in online sessions
Debra commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new responses. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and guides short experiments to see what changes help most.She also uses client-centered approaches that focus on listening and building a practical plan together. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is offered as an option for people who want a structured method to process traumatic memories; it involves guided attention and gradual reprocessing of distressing material. Mindfulness practices are used to build awareness and reduce reactive habits through steady, simple exercises.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and try methods that fit the person’s needs. Progress is checked regularly and methods are adjusted based on what helps.
The original biography does not specify which online session formats are used, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, allow brief check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so people can focus on practical steps between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Illinois, Wisconsin
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma and related mood and life-change concerns including caregiving and cancer-related stress.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and goal-focused. She uses CBT, client-centered methods, EMDR, and mindfulness depending on the issue.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She has 30 years of experience across community mental health, schools, faith-based settings, health systems, and private practice.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is LCPC and LPC licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and practices from Illinois.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started 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.