Debra attended St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana as well as Walden University in Minnesota, earning master’s degrees in music therapy and marriage, couple and family counseling. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, who gravitates toward a CBT therapeutic style but is willing to provide what works best for her client.

Debra can play every musical instrument of the orchestra – and a few more that aren’t! She came to Tanager Place because our organizational mission closely aligns with her own.

“My primary goal as a clinician is to be a partner in care – a partner of the client, the family, the treatment team.

“Our clients know what they need to feel better. Some days they need a safe place to share. Other days they need assistance navigating their mental health with strategic education focused on their challenges and the therapeutic process.

“My second goal as a clinician is to take care of myself. If I am not as healthy as I can be, I won’t have the energy to give to my family and my clients. It can be professional rewarding to save the world. It also can lead to burn out. Even Superman took time for a vacation.”