- Addictions
- Trauma
- Guilt and shame
About Debra
Debra (Debbie) Whatley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Louisiana with 25 years of experience. She works with adults around addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and self-esteem concerns. She also helps people manage guilt and shame related to relationships, infidelity, family problems, and loss.
Debbie frames clients as experts in their own stories and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions are practical and direct. She focuses on steps people can take to cope with overwhelming feelings and to handle difficult situations more clearly.
Her work often addresses how past hurts shape current behavior and relationships. She helps people name what they are feeling and practice ways to respond differently. This can include learning to set boundaries, manage urges tied to substance use, and handle strong anger without escalation.
She has long experience supporting people through grief and separation as well as through the aftermath of abuse. Communication problems, commitment worries, and blended family strain are other common topics she addresses. Guilt and shame are named concerns and are approached alongside forgiveness and rebuilding trust when relevant.
Debbie emphasizes collaboration around concrete goals. People can expect a mix of talking, practical strategies, and guided reflection focused on clearer thinking and steadier choices. She asks about strengths, routines, and supports, and builds from there.
Evidence-based approaches and working online
Debbie uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear steps and skills. One common method helps people identify patterns that keep them stuck and then practice changes in small, manageable steps. This approach supports people dealing with addictions, repeated anger, or harmful coping habits.Another approach emphasizes processing the effects of trauma and loss by naming painful memories and learning ways to reduce their grip on daily life. That work can help with grief, abuse recovery, and feelings of emptiness or shame.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. She collaborates with clients to pick methods that fit the person’s goals, needs, and comfort level. Clients and therapist review progress and adjust the plan together over time.
The therapist’s biography does not specify which online formats she uses. Confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to schedule sessions around work or family commitments, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals commonly use these practical benefits to fit therapy into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and self-esteem issues. Additional areas include infidelity, family problems, and guilt and shame.
How would she approach shame or guilt?
She helps people name the feeling and look at its effects on behavior. Work focuses on practical steps for responding differently and on restoring daily routines and relationships.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She brings 25 years of clinical experience working with adults on substance issues, loss, trauma, and anger management.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in Louisiana and practices in that state.
Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.