FindADHDTherapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

LMFT

Deborah Richardson, LMFT

  • Experience38 years
  • LocationVirginia
  • Focus areasADHD, Trauma and abuse, and Grief
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
View booking options

Check the available next steps for working with Deborah online.

About Deborah

Deborah Richardson is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 38 years of clinical experience who centers her work on building a respectful, honest therapeutic relationship.

Background and approach

She approaches therapy as a collaborative process that helps clients explore how they respond to life stressors and relational challenges, and she encourages practical steps that align with each person’s goals and values. Deborah emphasizes recognizing strengths as well as struggles and believes that choosing to seek help can be an important opportunity for change.

Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including trauma and abuse, grief, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, addictions, ADHD, and stress-related issues such as compassion fatigue and caregiver strain. She also works with relationship and family dynamics, communication problems, parenting challenges, and life transitions like divorce or career shifts.

Deborah integrates evidence-informed methods to tailor sessions to individual needs and to support clearer thinking about where clients want to fit in their lives and relationships.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Access

Deborah uses client-centered therapy to build a respectful, empathic relationship that prioritizes the client’s perspective and personal goals; this approach helps people feel heard while shaping practical steps for change. She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) techniques to teach skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improved interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for mood instability and stress-related challenges. In some cases she may integrate EMDR-informed concepts when addressing the impact of traumatic memories and their influence on present-day functioning.

Choosing the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. Together with the therapist clients review symptoms, preferences, and goals to find methods that fit their needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. This partnership helps shape a plan that evolves as progress is made and priorities shift.

Online sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to offer flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to continue work through life transitions, manage ongoing stressors, and access skilled, licensed professionals from wherever clients are located in Virginia.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Deborah address?
She works with a broad set of issues including trauma and abuse, grief, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, addictions, ADHD, relationship and family problems, and stress related concerns such as compassion fatigue.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her approach is collaborative and client-centered, emphasizing honest conversation, strength recognition, and practical steps to change reactions and behaviors.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 38 years of experience in the counseling field, which informs a seasoned perspective on common life and relational challenges.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is licensed as an LMFT with license details listed as VA LMFT 0717001217 and practices in Virginia.
In what languages can clients communicate with her?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available for working together?
Appointments can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or via text-based messaging to suit different preferences.
How is cost and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps start the process of working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Trauma and abuseGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeMood disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

38+ years

Licensed

Virginia

Languages

English

What Deborah can help with

Deborah Richardson works with clients on trauma and abuse, grief, depression, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.

How Deborah approaches therapy

Deborah's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Deborah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Virginia, with 38 years of clinical experience.