Debra Sarno , LCSW

Debra Sarno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York with 30 years of professional experience supporting individuals and families through a wide range of life challenges. She completed clinical training at the Columbia University School of Social Work and is a graduate of the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis, reflecting additional training in hypnotherapy. She is also a certified School Social Worker and has provided care in clinics, hospitals, and school settings during her career.

Her practice takes a holistic approach that integrates Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, grief, parenting challenges, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, mood disorders, and career or workplace issues. Combining formal training with decades of clinical work, she helps clients clarify goals and develop practical strategies to improve functioning and well-being.

Debra emphasizes a supportive, nurturing therapeutic environment as the foundation for change. She works collaboratively with each person to create a treatment plan tailored to their needs, combining evidence-informed techniques and compassionate guidance to help them move toward their goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Debra draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy as core approaches in her work. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and develop practical skills to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations. Mindfulness-Based Therapy uses present-focused awareness and gentle practices to reduce reactivity, improve emotional regulation, and support coping with stress and grief. She also incorporates hypnotherapy techniques stemming from training with the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis - these methods can help access deeper patterns of change and support goals like behavior change and symptom relief.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Debra works collaboratively with clients to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and she tailors treatment plans so the chosen methods fit each individual. This collaborative process aims to identify what works best and to adjust strategies over time.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules, mobility limits, or geographic constraints. These modalities allow clients to engage in regular therapy from locations that work for them while maintaining continuity of care with licensed professionals and therapists.