Debra Ratchford
Hi, I’m Debra Ratchford, an LMHC and a CASAC in New York with 10 years of experience supporting adults and adolescents in individual therapy. I help people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward begin to understand their patterns, build confidence, and take practical steps toward change. I engage in active listening and empathy working with my clients.
First session
My work focuses on substance use and addiction, anxiety, depression, family issues, and relationship concerns. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Person-Centered and Motivational Interviewing to help you connect your thoughts, emotions, and choices in a way that feels manageable. Sessions are collaborative, empowering, and affirming, with space to explore what is difficult while also identifying strengths and solutions.
Strengths
Working together, you can expect a supportive environment where your experiences are taken seriously and your goals guide the process. I aim to help you feel heard, better equipped to cope with stressors, and more connected to the changes you want to make in your life and relationships. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be glad to connect and see if we’re a good fit.
Ideal clients
My work focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. Together, we work to better understand the patterns that may be keeping them from living the life they want, build confidence, and take practical steps toward meaningful change. Therapy may involve addressing anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-awareness, communication skills, relationship concerns, life transitions, and the impact of past experiences, as well as navigating social and workplace stress. My ideal client is motivated, open to self-reflection, and ready to actively engage in the process of personal growth.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT involves identifying negative thoughts, challenging them with evidence, and changing unhelpful behaviors. You can do this by using a thought diary, replacing extreme thoughts, and slowly facing things you fear.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT combines individual psychotherapy with weekly skills training, tracks target behaviors using diary cards, and prioritizes treatment hierarchies focusing on safety, therapy engagement, and quality-of-life issues
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
The use of EFT therapy will guide clients through three main stages: de-escalating negative conflict cycles, restructuring interactions to build vulnerability and emotional bonding, and consolidating these new communication patterns for long-term relational security
Group Therapy
Group therapy structure includes sessions with a warm-up, core therapeutic activity, and cool-down. Peer interaction will help to build trust, promote social learning, and foster collective healing.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness therapy includes introducing basic concepts through psychoeducation, guiding clients in short in-session exercises like breath awareness or body scans, and teaching them to observe their thoughts without judgment to improve emotional regulation.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 010841