Debra Thurman, LCSW

Licensed in Montana · 25 years in practice

Debra Thurman is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience based in Montana.

License and registration

LCSW, Montana: BBH-LCSW-LIC-1005 · expires December 2026
NPI: 1376834440 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 25
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

Debra Thurman is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience based in Montana. She prefers to work with adults and helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or anger. She also supports those facing career strain, parenting stresses, sleep problems, or serious life changes.

Her style is straightforward and respectful. She listens first, then tailors conversations and plans to each person’s needs. Sessions aim to build practical skills for coping, manage strong emotions, and increase confidence over time.

Background and approach

Debra draws on several approaches when helping people make changes. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns. She also incorporates client-centered listening to follow what matters most to each person.

When trauma, grief, or relationship pain shows up, she helps people name what’s happening and rehearse new ways of responding. She supports people dealing with chronic illness, caregiving stress, aging concerns, and the effects of family-of-origin problems. LGBT issues and challenges around codependency, forgiveness, and guilt are also within her focus.

Debra offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging to fit different schedules. Getting started involves a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session. She aims to make the first steps clear and manageable for someone who is feeling unsure.

Focus areas and approaches

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

Stress, Anxiety
Anger management
Self esteem
Depression
Coping with life changes
LGBT
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Aging and geriatric issues
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Codependency
Commitment issues
Control issues
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Mood disorders
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues

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

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take action toward those values while learning to live with difficult thoughts. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which often helps with anxiety, anger, and sleep problems. Client-Centered Therapy centers the sessions on the person’s own goals and experience, using focused listening to guide what comes next.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. That decision is collaborative and can change over time as needs shift.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is helpful when seeing facial cues matters, phone can work when bandwidth is limited, chat or text can fit quick check-ins or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives and to keep progress going between in-depth meetings.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does she address?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, anger, and depression along with parenting strain, sleep problems, trauma and abuse, and career-related stress.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her approach is respectful and direct. She listens first, then tailors practical strategies to each person’s situation.

What is her professional background?

She has 25 years of professional experience supporting adults with a wide range of emotional and life concerns.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds the credential LCSW, listed as MT LCSW, and practices in Montana.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats does she offer?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions operate on a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

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