My name is Dr. Debra DeFour-Pierce. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of New York and have a doctorate in clinical-school psychology. I am a certified school psychologist with experience in formal and informal psychological assessment. I received my doctorate from Pace University and a certificate in Crisis Management from Long Island University. In my 30 years of working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a school setting, I have dedicated myself to helping clients gain insight into how their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs impact their life situation(s).
My clinical approach to treatment is eclectic and culturally sensitive. I am dedicated to working with my clients to develop effective coping strategies, by incorporating cognitive behavioral-rational emotive therapy, and psychodynamic theory, an interpersonal approach, and encourage the use of mindfulness. I have actively collaborated with clients seeking help for various concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, stress, self-awareness, coping with life changes, family conflicts, relationship issues, and parenting issues. Once a relationship develops between us, you will see that my clinical approach is direct, respectful, empathetic, and sometimes humorous.
I am here as your ally to explore several options of how to work through your current issues and will be able to provide you with useful strategies to deal with your current stressors. I am here to help you achieve and foster stronger mental and emotional health. I look forward to working with you on your journey to gaining insight and self-awareness.
SPECIALTIES
Stress
Anxiety
Grief
Trauma
Depression
Self esteem
Parenting Issues
Teen Issues
LICENSING
LMHC #002471-01 (Expires: 2022-10-31)
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Multicultural Concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Self-Harm, Self-love, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy
NY LMHC 002471-01
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Debra DeFour-Pierce. 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 honest and comforting all at once and it’s refreshing when someone listens to your problems and responds with honesty yet understanding of how you feel. She has helped me through this grieving journey so much with just two sessions. Her insights and advice have been so helpful. She is very knowledgeable and understanding one of the best experiences I’ve had ever with a therapist.
Written on Aug 23, 2023 after therapy with Debra for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
She is a great understanding and realitic person. Do not sleep on her she will be direct and mostly supportive. It id really needed when you needed.
Written on May 05, 2023 after therapy with Debra for 2 years and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties
I have worked with Dr. DeFour-Pierce for over a year and had a very positive experience. I came in with no prior exposure to therapy and didn't have a definitive idea of what I wanted to work on. The exercises she set helped me gain self awareness and identify the irrational thoughts that were holding me back. Her approach was practical, kind, and patient throughout, and she created a safe space for me to share and process difficult past experiences. I'm grateful for her help and guidance.
Written on Aug 26, 2022 after therapy with Debra for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Extremely Great been with her for over a year now, i sincerely wouldn't know where i would be or the person in would be today if it wasn't for her. She is beyond helpful and always goes out her way to make sure to check in and that you're staying on top of those worksheet :) She really wants you to grow and helps you to see that its you yourself that is putting in the work for your change. Her approach is great for those that need a real change and won't have their feelings hurt in the process. Dr. DeFour-Pierce is sweet, thoughtful, caring, and is amazing at what she does and i thank her for all that she has done for me this past year. Thank you with Love! You're really the best and thank you for putting up with me and my stubbornness lol !!!
Written on Dec 28, 2021 after therapy with Debra for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Dr. DeFour-Pierce is unlike any therapist I've had before, and I've seen many. She is attentive, smart, informed, empathetic, and compassionate while also being no-bullshit and never being afraid to show me my truth — even when I'd rather ignore it. She has been an extremely valuable resource to me in a very upsetting time and I am so thankful to have met her.
Written on Jul 06, 2021 after therapy with Debra for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
I have been working with Dr. Debra for 9 months now and she has been such a blessing in my life. I knew that I wanted to see a therapist, but I had no idea what kind of therapist would be a good fit for me. She has always listened to me, understood my perspectives, and offered such great advice.
Dr. Debra's style of counseling has worked really great for me. She first assesses what overall goal you should work on after a couple of sessions together. Once a goal has been established we discussed what small changes in my life I can make to achieve these goals.
Additionally, she assigned worksheets for me to complete every week, which have been so great at breaking down my thoughts and feelings and to figure out what is the best way for me to act and think.
Dr. Debra has always made me feel so comfortable and has always gave me such golden nuggets of advice. She is so wise, not only in the psychology realm, but also in just life. She was always professional, but still made me feel so comfortable that I felt like I was talking to a friend.
Dr. Debra has helped me work through my anxious thoughts, negative feelings, and how to approach difficult conversations with others. After 9 months of therapy with Dr. Debra, I finally feel ready and equipped with all of the knowledge she has provided me to go off on my own!
Written on May 06, 2021 after therapy with Debra for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes