Debra Sarno

Debra Sarno is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in New York. She brings three decades of clinical experience to sessions and focuses on practical ways to help people cope with hard moments in life. Debra works with issues such as stress, anxiety, grief, parenting concerns, and coping with life changes. Her background includes work in clinics, hospitals, and schools, which shaped a broad view of everyday struggles. Debra blends Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to tailor care to each person. She uses brief, clear strategies alongside reflective listening to help people notice what is getting in the way and try new responses. In sessions she aims to create a calm, supportive space where goals are clear and steps are practical. People commonly address relationship worries, family tensions, workplace stress, and health-related challenges like chronic pain or caregiver strain. Grief and hospice or end-of-life counseling are listed among her focus areas when those needs arise. Debra also works with mood and personality concerns, depression, bipolar disorder, phobias, and issues tied to self-esteem or intimacy. She offers coaching-style support for career decisions and communication problems. Her approach is straightforward - set a goal, try concrete tools, and adjust based on what helps. Her training and long clinical history inform how she listens and plans treatment. Prospective clients should note sessions are conducted in English and that she practices in New York.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a respectful working relationship where the person sets the pace and goals. This approach helps when someone needs space to process grief, life changes, or ongoing stress without feeling rushed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors and tries practical shifts that change how someone reacts. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, mood symptoms, and patterns that keep causing the same problems.

Mindfulness Therapy brings attention to breathing, body sensation, and present-moment noticing to reduce overwhelm and improve emotional regulation. It often fits alongside CBT and client-centered work for people dealing with stress or caregiving strain.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can change over time as priorities shift or new issues come up.

Confirm the session formats offered before booking so you know how meetings are held. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let someone try a way of working that blends reflective conversation with practical homework and mindfulness exercises without changing daily routines.