Deborah "Deb" Likouras , AASW

Deborah "Deb" Likouras is a social worker and counsellor based in Australia with 23 years of experience supporting people through significant life challenges. She holds the AASW credential, which identifies her as a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers and reflects her professional standing in social work practice. Her clinical focus includes grief, loss, trauma and bereavement counselling and support, and she brings extensive experience working within health and hospital systems, including palliative care, cancer services and the NDIS.

Deborah has worked with individuals and families across the lifespan, including adolescents and young adults, and is comfortable addressing complex family dynamics and lifecycle transitions. She adopts a person-centered approach, prioritizing respect and a nonjudgmental stance, and aims to meet people where they are when they come for help. Deborah emphasizes creating space for exploration and reflection, and she believes that even in difficult and messy moments there can be hope and direction.

She describes her work as walking alongside clients to explore whatever they choose to bring to a session, supporting them to find meaning, coping strategies and practical steps forward while honoring each person’s values and pace.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to clarify their values and build actions that align with what matters to them, while learning to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. It can help with anxiety, grief, life transitions and persistent stress by focusing on meaningful action rather than eliminating discomfort.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist offers empathy and genuine presence. This approach supports people who need a compassionate space to explore emotions, identity, relationships and healing from loss or trauma.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and adjust unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep or eating difficulties, and practical coping strategies for day-to-day stressors.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Deborah collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals and preferences. She works alongside clients to adjust strategies as progress unfolds and priorities change.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging - offer flexibility to fit sessions into busy lives and to access therapists from home or work. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide consistent support, reduce travel time and offer multiple ways to communicate so clients can choose what feels most comfortable and useful for them.