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LMFT

Deborah Levinson, LMFT

  • Experience25 years
  • LocationIllinois
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Family
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Deborah

Deborah Levinson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of clinical practice based in Illinois.

Background and approach

She blends an active, directive stance with established therapeutic models to support people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, mood challenges, addictions, trauma, grief, sleep difficulties, parenting struggles, anger, self-esteem and career transitions. Her work also addresses specific relational patterns such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, codependency, communication breakdowns, infidelity, blended family issues and family-of-origin problems.

Deborah draws on Internal Family Systems, cognitive-behavioral techniques and solution-focused strategies alongside client-centered principles and Gottman-informed couples work to tailor sessions to each person's needs. Her background includes work in schools, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, and social services with foster care, family reunification and child abuse matters, in addition to many years in independent practice.

Known for a down-to-earth and direct manner, she often assigns practical exercises and recommends videos, articles and books to reinforce session work. Deborah accepts clients from Illinois and international clients and provides a range of remote session formats to fit different schedules and preferences.

Bringing effective therapeutic approaches to online care

Deborah often combines Internal Family Systems and cognitive-behavioral therapy to guide online work. Internal Family Systems explores the different inner parts that influence feelings and behavior and can help with trauma, attachment issues and patterns like codependency. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and is useful for anxiety, depression, stress management and sleep concerns.

Choosing the right approach tends to be a collaborative process. Deborah discusses goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t worked in the past and then tailors techniques from these approaches to fit the client’s situation, adjusting the focus as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These remote options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and use homework resources like recommended videos and readings between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Deborah works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career changes and compassion fatigue, along with focused areas like abandonment, attachment and infidelity.
Which therapeutic styles does she use in sessions?
She uses a mix of approaches including Internal Family Systems, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the Gottman Method and Solution-Focused Therapy, adapting methods to fit a client's goals and preferences.
How long has she practiced as a therapist?
Deborah has practiced for 25 years, with experience across schools, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, social services work such as foster care and family reunification, and an extensive independent practice history.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the credential IL LMFT 166000414 and is located in Illinois.
Can clients work with her if they live outside the United States?
Yes, Deborah accepts international clients and conducts sessions with people who are not located in Illinois.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How is pricing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in starting therapy with her?
To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodSolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English