Debra Pintel Steiner, LCSW

Licensed in California · 10 years in practice

Debra Pintel Steiner helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family challenges, addictions, trauma and abuse, and other concerns such as sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, low self-esteem, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

License and registration

LCSW, California: 20375 · expires May 2027
NPI: 1992831887 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 10
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Debra

Sessions aim to build a trusting relationship where clients can say what they are feeling without judgment.

Background and approach

That relationship is used to sort through painful memories, upsetting habits, and ongoing stressors so people can notice gradual shifts in how they think and act. Her approach is straightforward and practical. She listens closely, helps people name what matters most, and supports them in small steps toward change.

Mindfulness exercises are sometimes used to help manage strong feelings and soothe the body during moments of panic or agitation. When trauma or past abuse is part of the story, she uses trauma-focused methods to help people process what happened at a manageable pace.

The goal is to reduce the grip of painful memories and to rebuild a sense of safety and control over everyday life. Debra draws on ten years of social work experience, including work in child welfare and family counseling. That background informs her attention to family dynamics and practical problem solving in adults' lives.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Debra lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Grief
Depression
Addictions
LGBT
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
ADHD

Approaches Debra names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Approaches for online healing and trauma work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's experience from their perspective. The therapist listens without judgment, reflects what she hears, and helps clients find their own solutions; this approach helps with relationship struggles, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce anxiety and steady strong emotions. Those exercises can be used between sessions to manage panic, improve sleep, and bring more ease to daily routines.

Trauma-Focused Therapy helps people process painful memories at a pace they can handle. It includes grounding and pacing so traumatic material can be addressed with care, which often reduces the intensity of intrusive memories and emotional reactivity.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences, and then recommend or adapt methods that fit. Clients take an active role in deciding what feels most helpful.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. Video is useful for deeper conversational work, phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing contact between sessions. These options let people fit therapy into busy lives and maintain continuity of care.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Debra help with?

She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family issues, addictions, trauma and abuse, sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and career challenges.

What is her therapeutic style?

Her style is listening-first and practical. She builds a trusting relationship, helps clients name feelings, and guides small, doable steps toward change.

What experience does she bring?

She has ten years of social work experience, including past work in child welfare and family counseling and ongoing individual therapy for adults with mental and physical health concerns.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California and practices from that state.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions may be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does cost and billing work?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by clicking the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

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