I'm pleased to introduce myself to you. I'm Deborah Richardson, LCSW, but most people call me "Deb". All of my life I've had people tell me things in confidence. When you're a minor, that can be a little scary at times; but that's the beginning of a therapist. Now I know it's scarier for the person who has a secret that needs to be told.
I didn't set out to be a therapist. I thought I'd be an administrator in a social services agency until I realized I can't balance a Profit and Loss Statement because I have numbers dyslexia. You see, my mind isn't perfect. Like everyone, there are many things I can't do well. Then I found myself covering for a full-time therapist and suddenly I found my joy, and I've continued to find it everyday for forty-plus years.
Along the way I picked up two husbands, two daughters, a dozen pets, and thousands of clients. I divorced one husband, buried another, watched two little girls fly away, and now I wait for grandchildren. I also completed a teaching degree followed by a master's degree in social work from The University of Tennessee.
Then there's my fur-baby, the ten pound Shih Tzu Amanda-Grace, who was the office pet therapist when I saw clients face-to-face. She became very depressed when we stopped having clients in the office: laying around, not eating or playing. She came to life again when she discovered YouTube videos of cats, dogs, and talking birds. She's happiest, though, when hearing your voices on my speakers. Don't worry, she's the most ethical therapist there is. Everything is totally confidential with Gracie.
Over the course of four decades I've worked with all ages from many walks of life. I've worked in-patient, out-patient, a nursing home, a group-home, and a prison. I did forensic psychiatry for fifteen years and private practice for twenty-four. I've used whatever therapeutic techniques worked for an individual. We've walked in the sunshine, listened to music, painted emotions, and written about heartache. We've read "The Giving Tree", watched "Attack on Titan", and sang "It's Not Easy Being Green".
Through my professional work experience, I've learned that using a lot of professional jargon isn't as important as remembering someone's birthday, and keeping it real is synonymous with empathy. I found that "normal" is very broad and "average" is very small. Acceptance of one's self is harder to do than acceptance of others, but judgments comes quickly and punishments even swifter.
I find that many people believe life is a yellow brick road with a pot of gold at the end, or perhaps Elton John playing piano. Either way, it's a journey they hope for but never think they can take. I believe life can be a yellow brick road, if that's what you want, but all roads have pot holes no matter where they lead or what color they are. My job is to teach each client how to fill their pot holes, or build a bridge, or knock-down a wall, or mend a broken heart for themselves. What I do isn't as important as who you are at the end of this journey together.
I hope you will join me at Better Help to travel your road, where ever it goes, safely and in peace.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended family issues, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Dependent personality, Family problems, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Men's issues, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
TN LCSW 3405
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Deborah Richardson. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She is patient and kind. If ever I have further issues, I will be seeking her out again!
Written on Oct 03, 2025 after therapy with Deborah for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Deborah is very thorough and attentive. Her years of expertise shine through in her sessions.
Written on Sep 05, 2025 after therapy with Deborah for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and adhd
Deborah has been amazing to work with. She is very kind,caring and extremely knowledgeable. She understands what im going through she has made this very easy to use
Written on Aug 11, 2025 after therapy with Deborah for 2 weeks
She has been great to work with and would highly recommend. She always listens, understands and communicates well with me. She has helped me with Christian values and biblical parables fShe has a lot of knowledge and perspective she has really helped me on my journey. I continue to see her and look forward to what she can help me accomplish and learn about myself.
Written on Aug 06, 2025 after therapy with Deborah for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and adhd
Ms. Richardson has been very helpful in identifying my causes and conditions. She listens intensively and gives great feedback and recommendations.
Written on Jun 05, 2025 after therapy with Deborah for 3 weeks on issues concerning coping with life changes
We have only had one video session, but it seemed fine. She sent worksheets, and those were thought-provoking. So far, so good!
Written on Jan 17, 2025 after therapy with Deborah for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coping with life changes