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LMHC

Debra Peterson-Smith, LMHC

  • Experience21 years
  • LocationNew York
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Family
  • Therapy approachesMindfulness Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy
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About Debra

Debra Peterson-Smith is a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 21 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, parenting concerns, and challenges related to ADHD.

Background and approach

She focuses on supporting clients through life transitions, coping with loss, and resolving family conflicts while addressing related issues such as sleep, eating, self-esteem, and career stress. Her approach emphasizes a welcoming, nonjudgmental atmosphere in which clients can explore difficult feelings and practical solutions.

She blends mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness with solution-focused strategies that build on clients' strengths, and she incorporates trauma-informed techniques when past events continue to affect daily functioning. Her work is grounded in collaboration and respect for each person's pace and goals.

Based in New York, Debra aims to help people take meaningful first steps toward greater well-being. She offers guidance and support while encouraging clients to discover effective coping skills and clearer pathways forward.

Her style balances empathy with actionable strategies to help clients move toward more satisfying, sustainable change.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care



Mindfulness Therapy helps people build awareness of thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations through simple attention practices. It can reduce reactivity to stress and support clearer choices when facing anxiety, sleep difficulties, or emotional overwhelm.

Solution-Focused Therapy centers on identifying goals and small, achievable steps that move a person toward those goals. This approach is useful for clients seeking practical strategies for parenting challenges, career concerns, relationship problems, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right combination of methods is part of the collaborative process. The therapist works with each client to determine which approaches fit their needs, preferences, and goals, and may adapt techniques over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage with treatment through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules or to continue work during transitions. These formats can support consistent practice of mindfulness and solution-focused exercises between sessions while allowing therapists and clients to maintain momentum toward meaningful changes.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, addictions, self-esteem difficulties, sleep and eating problems, career concerns, depression, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among other topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends a supportive, nonjudgmental stance with practical, goal-oriented work that emphasizes client strengths and collaboration.
What is her professional background and experience?
She holds a New York LMHC credential and brings 21 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in New York as an LMHC, credential number NY LMHC 000946, and practices from that location.
Does she offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?
Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats are sessions available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are sessions priced and scheduled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily problemsForgivenessHospice and end-of-life counselingLife purposePhobiasPregnancy and childbirthWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

21+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English

What Debra can help with

Debra Peterson-Smith works with clients on stress and anxiety, family conflicts, grief, parenting issues, and coping with life changes.

Debra works with clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, and coping with grief and loss.

Debra works with parenting issues.

How Debra approaches therapy

Debra's clinical approaches include Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

Experience and training

Debra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor practicing in New York, with 21 years of clinical experience.