I am Deborah (Debbie) Trent, a licensed mental health counselor and a qualified supervisor of mental health counselors. I work with adults and my primary counseling approach is client-centered as I help guide individuals toward their own wisdom and innate mental health.
My approach
My therapeutic approach is always client-centered, but never a cookie-cutter approach. I see each client as an individual and I fit the approach used to the needs of that person. I encourage clients to hear and respect their own wisdom and I will sometimes teach a very simple and basic relaxation technique to help clients deal with stress.
My focus
Over the years I have worked with clients with many different issues and concerns. Depression, anxiety, panic or anxiety attacks, anger issues, and substance abuse are some of the most common issues that I have helped clients overcome.
My communication style
It is important to me that clients feel comfortable and relaxed as we work together. Our work is a partnership and I always treat my clients with the utmost respect and I realize that my role is to help each individual achieve what they need from therapy.
My journey to mental healthcare
Being a therapist is not what I do, it is who I am. I feel like rather than me picking the profession, it chose me. A grandparent's suicide and some other family mental health issues drove me to want to know, not just about mental health concerns, but true mental health and how to best achieve it. I love working with people and having them rediscover their best selves and achieve more happiness and peace of mind than they ever believed possible.
My goals for you
Goal setting is an important and ongoing part of the therapeutic process. I encourage setting long-term goals and short-term goals. The short-term goals are more quickly achieved and keep clients moving in a positive direction toward the more long-term goals that they have for their life.
My first session with you
During the first session, I briefly outline what therapy with me will be like, I explore what the client hopes to get from our time together and I offer the opportunity for them to ask any questions they have about the counseling process. I let the client know that they will be respected and that I will never push them to talk about anything they don't want to talk about until they are ready. We move forward at a speed with which they are comfortable and with the ultimate goal being their best possible counseling experience.