Deborah Thoennes, LPC

Approaches that translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's experience and priorities. It involves listening carefully, reflecting what matters, and shaping the work around the client's goals rather than a rigid plan. This approach helps when someone needs a supportive space to sort through parenting stress, grief, or identity concerns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions link together. In practice it means trying brief exercises and tracking what happens, then adjusting patterns that cause distress. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and practical problems like sleep, routines, or daily stressors.

Emotionally-focused work helps people name and sit with strong emotions and then try different ways of relating to those feelings. It can be especially helpful when emotions get in the way of making decisions or connecting with others. Deborah will discuss which of these approaches might fit best and tailor the plan to the client's needs and preferences in a collaborative way.

Online sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match what works in a given week. Video lets people use body language and visual cues, phone calls need less bandwidth, chat can be good for short check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection. These options make it easier to fit counseling around school, work, or caregiving responsibilities while keeping the focus on practical steps and emotional progress.