Portrait of a smiling woman with brown hair, wearing a scarf, against a gray background.

Deborah Halpern, LSW

Education & Background

Debbie (she/her) is a Licensed Social Worker with a rich background that blends years of experience in both social work and business. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, an MBA from Yale School of Management, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. This combination of qualifications allows Debbie to approach her clients' challenges with a unique, well-rounded perspective.

With experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and children, Debbie provides support for a range of issues including prolonged grief, anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and phobias. She is particularly passionate about helping clients navigate significant life transitions, as well as those struggling with fertility issues and perinatal trauma. Additionally, Debbie is dedicated to supporting individuals seeking to improve their relationships, offering a compassionate and empathetic approach to healing and growth.

Approach

Debbie’s Humanistic therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of creating an empathic, supportive relationship with her clients, which serves as a foundation for their personal growth and healing. By building this connection, she helps clients access their inner resources and strengths, empowering them to work through challenges and achieve greater emotional well-being. Additionally, her use of Psychodynamic, CBT and DBT adds further flexibility to her approach. CBT allows her to work with clients on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, while DBT, with its emphasis on emotional regulation and mindfulness, supports clients in managing intense emotions and building healthier coping skills.

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

—Carl R. Rogers