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DS Portrait of Deborah Sterling

Deborah Sterling

Compassionate LCSW blending practical therapy and support

LCSW California

Experience
3 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Deborah

About Deborah

Deborah Sterling is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California who focuses on a range of emotional and relational concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, ADHD, LGBT matters, self esteem, and coping with life changes.

Background and approach

She also supports people navigating adoption and foster care histories, divorce and separation, family problems, polyamory and non-monogamous relationships, self-love, and compassion fatigue. Deborah draws on a background that centers on family and child welfare to inform her work with individuals across life stages.

Her approach is grounded in supportive, client-centered practice with strong influence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and solution-focused techniques. Sessions emphasize practical skills, clearer thinking patterns, and collaborative problem solving while maintaining an empathic therapeutic stance.

Deborah earned her Master of Social Work from California State University, San Bernardino with an emphasis in child welfare and holds three years of formal experience as an LCSW in clinical settings. She uses traditional talk therapy alongside other modalities to tailor care to each person’s needs and goals.

How Deborah Uses Practical Approaches Online

Deborah commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered methods when working with clients online. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and building practical coping skills, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship concerns. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients feel heard as they explore goals and personal values.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She will work with clients to assess needs, preferences, and goals and adjust methods over time so the plan matches what is most helpful. Many people find a mix of skill-building and empathic support most effective for real-life challenges, and Deborah aims to tailor that blend for each person.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and communication styles. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care, practice new skills between meetings, and access therapy from home or work when in-person visits are difficult.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Deborah address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, grief, parenting difficulties, ADHD, LGBT matters, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue, plus related topics like adoption and foster care and polyamory.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her work is supportive and client-centered, emphasizing empathy and collaborative goal-setting while using practical strategies drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused techniques.
How long has she been practicing?
She has three years of experience as an LCSW following completion of her master's degree and prior work in child welfare and therapeutic settings.
Where is she licensed and based?
Deborah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with the credential CA LCSW 60078 and she practices within that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Clients can work with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to her availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepressionADHD

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careDivorce and separationFamily problemsPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English