Deborah "Debbie" Kirby, LCSW

Oregon | Online sessions in Oregon | English | Book with Deborah »

Experienced LCSW blending narrative and practical therapy

Details

Name	Deborah "Debbie" Kirby
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Oregon
Licensed in	Oregon
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	24

About Deborah

Deborah "Debbie" Kirby is a licensed clinical social worker with 24 years of experience. She is based in Oregon and offers practical, down-to-earth help for people facing stress, anxiety, grief, career shifts, and other life changes. Debbie aims to make the therapy room a place to speak freely.

She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where feelings and thoughts can be named and sorted. That can help people take practical steps forward when life feels overwhelming.

Background and approach

Her work blends several approaches, including Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Attachment-Based ideas, along with cognitive-behavioral tools. She uses language and examples that are easy to follow. Sessions focus on what is happening now and what matters most to the person in front of her.

Debbie also brings experience in coaching for executives and professionals, which she combines with clinical skills for those needing both support and practical planning. She helps people clarify priorities, manage difficult emotions, and try out small changes that add up over time.

She welcomes conversations about parenting, adoption and foster care concerns, blended family issues, fertility and end-of-life matters, and challenges like codependency, hoarding, and compassion fatigue. The goal is to help people find clearer direction and more workable routines in daily life.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Career difficulties among the things Deborah works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Systemic Therapy: Listed by Deborah among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Deborah directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Deborah directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How narrative and action-focused therapy work online

Debbie often uses Narrative Therapy to help people separate themselves from their problems by re-storying difficult events and patterns; this can be useful for grief, shame, or life role changes. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which teaches practical skills to notice thoughts and feelings while committing to values-based action that moves life forward. Attachment-Based ideas are used to look at how early relationship patterns affect current connections and coping, which can be helpful for communication and trust issues.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Debbie talks with each person about goals and preferences, then tries methods that fit their situation. Together they review what helps and adjust plans so therapy stays useful and workable.

Online sessions are available by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video works well for deeper conversations; phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging can support shorter check-ins or ongoing coaching-style work between longer sessions. These options make scheduling simpler and let people fit therapy into busy lives.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She helps with stress, anxiety, grief, career changes, coping with life transitions, trauma and abuse, eating concerns, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue among other topics.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is calm and nonjudgmental, focused on listening, naming feelings, and testing small, practical changes that fit a person s life.

How much experience does she bring?

She has 24 years of clinical experience working with adults and professionals in a variety of life and work challenges.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, licensed in Oregon.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

She meets with clients via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what the person prefers.

How does cost and payment work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Deborah are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Deborah where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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