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Deborah Petry, LCSW

Based in Connecticut Online sessions

Compassionate, practical support for relationships and parenting

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Years in practice
16
Credentials
LCSW
Licensed in
New York, Connecticut
Languages
English
Focus
Addictions
Focus
Relationship issues
About

About Deborah

Deborah Petry is a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut who helps people facing relationship strain, addiction, intimacy concerns, and parenting challenges. She works with individuals and couples, offering down-to-earth support and practical steps. Her style is collaborative and paced to each person’s needs.

She uses straightforward conversations to clarify goals and find small, manageable changes. Sessions focus on skills people can use between meetings. Deborah emphasizes real tools rather than abstract theory.

Background and approach

Her approach blends client-centered listening with goal-focused techniques. She often draws on cognitive behavioral strategies to spot patterns of thought and behavior that keep people stuck. Motivational interviewing helps when someone is weighing change, and solution-focused ideas keep work practical and forward-moving.

Deborah has 16 years of clinical experience as an LCSW. She practices in Connecticut and works with adults on issues such as co-dependency, communication problems, infidelity, mood concerns, and substance use. She also supports people dealing with divorce, family of origin issues, and personality-related patterns.

In couples work she uses elements of the Gottman Method to offer structured exercises and clear steps couples can try between sessions. Her aim is to give couples concrete strategies to improve connection and communication. Clients can expect a calm, practical approach.

Deborah helps each person or couple set realistic goals and track progress at a comfortable pace. She aims to make therapy useful and approachable for people balancing busy lives.

Focus areas and approaches

What Deborah works with

Everything Deborah lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Deborah helps people with.

Approaches Deborah lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.

Online support

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Deborah commonly uses client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral strategies, and the Gottman Method in her sessions. Client-centered work involves open listening and helping people clarify what matters most to them, which is useful for parenting stress and relationship concerns. Cognitive behavioral work focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and testing small changes to improve day-to-day functioning. The Gottman Method offers structured exercises and communication tools that couples can practice between sessions to rebuild trust and connection.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Deborah will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust strategies as progress is made.

Online formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for skill demonstrations and exercises. Phone sessions can work well when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging offer flexible ways to share updates, ask quick questions, or try brief coaching between sessions. These options help people maintain continuity of care and practice new skills in everyday life.
Questions

Questions people ask about Deborah

What kinds of concerns does Deborah help with?

She supports people with addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and parenting challenges. Additional focus areas include communication problems, infidelity, mood and personality concerns, and family of origin issues.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her work is collaborative and down-to-earth, combining listening with practical exercises. Sessions emphasize clear goals and skills people can use between meetings.

What is her professional background?

She is a licensed clinical social worker with 16 years of experience working with individuals and couples on relationship and addiction-related concerns.

Where is she based and licensed?

She practices in Connecticut and holds LCSW licensure in New York and Connecticut.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy can be done via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging based on what works best for the person.

How are fees and payments handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription 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.

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