- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief and loss
About Debra
Debra (Debbie) Whatley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Louisiana with 25 years of experience. She works with adults on addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and self-esteem concerns. Her practice also addresses related issues such as abandonment, blended family challenges, caregiver stress, commitment and communication problems, and difficulties tied to infidelity and divorce.
Debbie centers sessions on the person telling their story. She treats clients as the expert on their own life and helps them identify strengths they already have. Sessions focus on practical steps to manage overwhelming feelings and to reduce behaviors that feel stuck or harmful.
Her approach uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people gain clearer thinking and better coping skills. That can mean learning different ways to handle anger, sorting emotions after loss, or building patterns that reduce substance use and risky behavior. She explains interventions in plain language and works through them together with each client.
Over the years she has supported people facing family conflict, fatherhood issues, feelings of emptiness, guilt and shame, and the long effects of domestic violence. She aims to help clients notice small changes that add up to steadier daily life. Sessions are offered in English and reflect practical problem solving more than abstract theory.
To begin, prospective clients use the site matching process to pick an online therapy option, complete a short questionnaire, and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How evidence-based approaches guide online sessions
Debbie uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to structure sessions in plain, practical terms. One common approach focuses on learning specific coping skills to manage strong emotions like anger or cravings. It helps people practice new responses and reduce behaviors that cause harm.Another frequent technique emphasizes processing grief and trauma by organizing memories and feelings into clearer pieces. That can make loss and past hurt less overwhelming and easier to talk about in a step-by-step way.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client work together to decide which methods fit the client’s goals, preferences, and the problems they bring. Adjustments are made as progress is reviewed, so the plan can shift if something isn’t working.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a college schedule, a first job, or a busy week. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, or let someone avoid travel time on a workday, while keeping the focus on practical skills and steady progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with adults on addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and low self-esteem, plus related family and relationship problems.
What is her approach in sessions?
She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and explains them in plain language, focusing on practical coping skills and behavior changes.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on the concerns listed in her profile.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in Louisiana and practices there.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.