Therapist Deborah Ridgeway Photo

Deborah Ridgeway, LCSW

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Self esteem, Motivation Depression Coping with life changes
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Louisiana (US) with a positive and hopeful outlook! I am a little older, early 60's, but very open-minded and still excited about working with people. I have a sense of humor and maintain a hope for the future. It is an honor to work with another person, to gain their trust and help them figure out what's going well, what is causing concern or distress, and to help them find small steps toward a resolution and personal growth.

My clients typically meet with me once weekly for 45 minutes. We begin by building rapport and learning about the issues that brought them to seek counseling. Then we examine daily routine, whether you have roommates, a partner or spouse, live with family or on your own during this time. We consider any pandemic-specific considerations you may be experiencing and how that affects your routine and your mental health. Then we loosely develop/tweak a routine that allows time for school, work, leisure, exercise, healthy eating and good self-care. Also making sure to keep in contact with friends and loved ones is important!

After that, I will give you "homework", just a framework for understanding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which are the best evidence-based practices for depression and anxiety. We can message or do short extra sessions during the week, especially during your first month or two, to be sure you have a good foundation for getting your goals met. Successful therapy requires some work, especially during the pandemic. But it is absolutely worthwhile, and you'll be able to use the skills you develop to meet future situations, become a better partner, friend and even better at your job. Getting to know yourself, take good care of yourself and live well day to day creates more of an ease in life, and affords you time and a place to resolve deeper issues or past trauma.

Professional experience

15yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Self esteem, Motivation Depression Coping with life changes

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Communication problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dissociation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family Problems, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders , Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

LA LCSW 15699

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Deborah Ridgeway. 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.

Deborah has been extremely easy to work with and provided prompt, relevant resources for me to help better myself and work through my problems. I look forward to continuing my sessions with her and seeing how she can help me.

Written on Mar 31, 2021 after therapy with Deborah for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

Deborah is kind, compassionate, polite and understanding, putting much effort in counselling.

Written on Mar 28, 2021 after therapy with Deborah for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd

Deborah is extremely respectful and understanding. She takes your concerns seriously, and does her best to help you any way that she can. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for support in her areas of expertise.

Written on Nov 14, 2020 after therapy with Deborah for 2 months on issues concerning lgbt, trauma and abuse, and adhd

Deborah really communicates well and is able to give a wide variety of ways to not only work with you, but for you to work with yourself

Written on Oct 18, 2020 after therapy with Deborah for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Deborah has shown me so much empathy and I am very thankful for that. She prioritizes me and provides me with what I need so I can better understand myself.

Written on Oct 18, 2020 after therapy with Deborah for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

Deborah is a wonderful counselor, she's helped me manage my anxiety and to feel more positive during this uncertain times. She has given me easy and accesible tools to deal with my emotions.

Written on Sep 22, 2020 after therapy with Deborah for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes