Deborah Salant

Deborah Salant, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with 33 years of experience. She focuses on practical, person-centered care for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, substance concerns, relationship strain, and related issues. She works in a straightforward way to help people get through hard times and build routines that feel manageable.

She begins by gathering a brief history of the difficulties that brought someone to therapy. That initial information helps shape clear goals and a plan for sessions. Deborah aims to form a working alliance with whoever is in the room, creating a respectful space where people can speak openly and problem-solve together.

Her approach blends client-centered listening with targeted techniques from cognitive behavioral and emotion-focused methods when helpful. She also uses motivational interviewing and psychodynamic ideas as suits the situation. Sessions may emphasize behavior strategies for parenting, coping skills for anxiety, or relapse prevention for substance issues.

Deborah has long experience supporting people through grief, trauma, intimacy concerns, and life transitions. She has worked with families of older adults and with caregivers managing stress related to health and aging. She also supports people across sexual orientations and identities.

Appointments are typically weekly or biweekly depending on the stage of work. Goal setting is reviewed periodically so progress can be tracked. To start, readers use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

How her approaches translate to online work

Deborah uses client-centered therapy to listen carefully and shape each session around the person's needs. That means sessions focus on what matters most to the client and build trust through attentive, nonjudgmental listening.

She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thinking and test small behavior changes. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating patterns, and for building new routines that reduce distress. Emotionally-focused therapy is used when the work centers on relationships and attachment, helping people notice feelings and improve communication patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Deborah will work collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person's goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is reviewed. Together they set clear short-term goals and revisit them regularly.

The practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions into a busy schedule, making it easier to keep weekly or biweekly appointments, and reducing travel time. Because the original biography does not list specific session formats, confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it simpler to maintain momentum between appointments and to practice strategies in day-to-day life.