With almost 2 decades in practice, Debra takes an eclectic therapeutic approach to individual, couples, and family therapy. She has an extensive background in sport psychology, positive psychology, couples counseling, psychodrama, and neuroscience. Debra takes a compassionate and active approach to helping her clients increase self awareness, constructive coping, and optimal functioning. Her areas of expertise include elite domain performance, perfectionism, eating disorders, relationship issues, blended families, couples counseling, anxiety, and depression.
Debra is a regional expert in PACT Couples Counseling, a style of relationship counseling that helps couples rebuild safety in their relationships using attachment theory, affect regulation, and neuroscience. She is one of approximately 50 PACT Level 3 candidates in the US and is often featured on the radio, podcasts, and social media. PACT is a method that successfully addresses the complexity of couples’ issues. Debra was selected as a Brand Ambassador for her passion for this method, often speaking publicly and writing for The PACT Institute.
With her unique background in applied sport psychology and positive psychology, Debra has worked extensively with professional athletes, CEO’s, entrepreneurs, doctors, attorneys, and Olympic athletes. Her passion for getting clients to their optimal functioning was born out of her studies in elite domain performance and research on perfectionism. Previously, she has worked with the US Olympic Training Center, the US Figure Skating Association, the International Center for Talent Development, Spectrum Club (South Bay) and The Sports Club (LA).
For the past 6 years, Debra has trained in Psychodrama, one of the oldest and most effective methods in therapy. This style allows clients to actively explore their inner and outer world in a neuroscientifically correct manner, allowing clients to leave session with new awareness. This is not traditional talk therapy! She also practices Emotional Transformation Technique, a progression of EMDR, that uses the sensory system to induce state dependent memory and resolve trauma.
Debra co-founded and sits on the board of the Relational Therapists of Dallas. She is the Past President of the Dallas Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Her research has been presented at regional and national conferences for the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
Education
- M.S. Clinical Psychology (2004) California State University, Fullerton (Fullerton, CA)
- Thesis: Perfectionism & Achievement Motivation in Athletes and NonAthletes
- B.S. Animal Physiology / Neuroscience (2001) University of California, San Diego (La Jolla, CA)
- B.S. BioPsychology (2001) University of California, San Diego (La Jolla, CA)
License, Certifications & Awards
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (#201717)
- Psychobiological Approach to Couples Counseling (PACT, Level 3, Brand Ambassador)
- Emotional Transformation Technique (Level 5)
- Psychodrama Trainee (6thyear)
- ACSM Health & Fitness Specialist (2001-2015)
- NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist
- CPR / AED Certified
Additional Training
- International Center for Talent Development (UCLA)
- U.S. Olympic Training Center
- U.S. Figure Skating Association
Professional Activities & Memberships
- Relational Therapists of Dallas (Co-Founder & Board Member)
- Dallas Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (DAMFT), President (2014-2016)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT)
- Texas Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (TAMFT)
- Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP)
- International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP)
