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LCSW

Debbie Chirikos, LCSW

  • Experience40 years
  • LocationIllinois
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Family
  • Therapy approachesAttachment-Based Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Debbie

Debbie Chirikos brings four decades of clinical social work experience to her counseling practice, drawing on a long career dedicated to helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, trauma, and ADHD.

Background and approach

As an LCSW she blends practical skill-building with a warm, attentive presence, believing that clients already carry the seeds of their own solutions and often benefit from a steady, engaged partner in change. Debbie emphasizes nonjudgmental feedback, patience with recurring patterns, and the constructive use of humor to support healing.

Her approach is rooted in curiosity and ongoing professional growth, informed by work in multiple states and a commitment to keeping therapeutic tools relevant in a changing social landscape.

She guides clients who are ready to do the often-difficult work of self-examination and behavioral change, offering support for issues including parenting, family dynamics, sleep difficulties, career transitions, compassion fatigue, attachment concerns, and the impacts of abuse or loss.

Debbie holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and practices in Illinois as an LCSW (IL LCSW 149.011586).

Therapeutic approaches for online healing and growth

Debbie commonly integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy into her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on empathetic listening and supporting clients to find their own answers, which helps people feel heard and respected as they explore difficult choices. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches practical skills to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, often assisting with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping with life changes.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She partners with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors methods so therapy feels relevant and achievable. That collaboration helps clients try strategies, refine what works, and shift course when needed to find the best fit.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it possible to maintain ongoing momentum between sessions and to access consistent support from a licensed professional without geographic constraints within the therapist's practice area.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Debbie address?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep difficulties, career transitions, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among other challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her work combines client-centered attention with cognitive and attachment-informed techniques, offering nonjudgmental feedback, patience with repeating patterns, and collaborative problem solving.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Debbie has practiced as a clinical social worker for 40 years, with a career spanning multiple states and diverse clinical settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCSW practicing in Illinois with licence number IL LCSW 149.011586.
Can someone work with her in other languages or from other countries?
Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available for online work?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are costs and subscriptions handled?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability, and services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shamePost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

40+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English

What Debbie can help with

Debbie Chirikos works with clients on stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, and depression.

How Debbie approaches therapy

Debbie's clinical approaches include Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Debbie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Illinois, with 40 years of clinical experience.