About Debra
Debra (Debbie) Whatley uses practical, evidence-based techniques to help people move past painful patterns. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - practicing in Louisiana and brings 25 years of experience to her work.
Background and approach
Debbie speaks plainly and focuses on helping people make steady changes in daily life. She helps with addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and self-esteem.
Other areas Debbie addresses include abandonment, blended family issues, caregiver stress, commitment concerns, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, emptiness, family problems, fatherhood issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and infidelity. She aims to identify what is getting in the way and which steps feel manageable next.
Sessions prioritize clear goals and real-world strategies. Debbie treats the person, not just the problem, and works to uncover strengths that can be used in recovery and healing.
Conversations are straightforward and focused on practical coping skills and better ways of relating to others. Debbie believes taking the first step takes courage.
She offers steady support while people try out changes at their own pace. Over time the goal is fewer crises, clearer boundaries, and greater confidence in daily life.
Her work combines practical tools with respect for each person's story. People who want direct, experienced guidance for addiction, trauma, grief, anger, and self-worth often find her approach helpful.
Evidence-based approaches and flexible online care
Debbie uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One approach emphasizes skill-building for emotion regulation and anger management, teaching concrete tools people can use during stressful moments. Another approach centers on relapse prevention and recovery strategies for substance use, helping people identify triggers and build routines that support sobriety.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Debbie works with each person to match techniques to their needs, goals, and daily life. She adjusts plans as progress is made so the work stays relevant and doable.
Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when a deeper connection is helpful. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging let people share thoughts between sessions and get support that fits into busy schedules. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while balancing work, caregiving, and other responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
- Abandonment
- Anger management
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
- Experience
- 25 years
- Licensed
- Louisiana
- Languages
- English