Works with
- Anger
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
How Debra works
- Not listed
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- Louisiana
- Years in practice
- 25
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Debra
Debra (Debbie) Whatley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who uses evidence-based approaches to help people manage anger and other intense feelings. She draws on 25 years of clinical experience to guide people through addiction, trauma, grief, and struggles with self-esteem. Debbie speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps you can try between sessions.
She believes people know their own stories best and brings questions that help uncover strengths.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on learning new ways to respond to triggers, practicing better communication, and building small habits that reduce conflict. Work can include talking through past hurt, noticing patterns, and trying different coping skills to see what helps. Debbie has long experience supporting people dealing with loss, domestic violence, and substance concerns.
She also helps those wrestling with abandonment, commitment worries, control issues, and problems that come up after separation or infidelity. The goal is steady progress rather than quick fixes. In sessions she offers straightforward guidance and collaborative planning.
Clients often leave with at least one practical step to try that week. Over time those small changes add up to clearer boundaries and calmer reactions. Her practice is based in Louisiana and she conducts work in English.
She uses a conversational, respectful style and will tailor strategies to each person’s goals. Getting started begins with a brief matching questionnaire and scheduling an initial session.
What Debra works with
Everything Debra lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Debra's practice.
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Abandonment
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
How evidence-based approaches translate to online care
Debbie uses practical, evidence-based techniques that focus on changing unhelpful reactions and building new habits. One approach she often uses teaches concrete coping skills for managing anger and strong emotions, such as breathing, grounding, and brief behavioral experiments to test different responses. These tools are meant for immediate use when stress spikes and for steady practice between sessions.She also works with trauma-informed strategies that help people process past hurts at a manageable pace. That work involves pacing, identifying triggers, and developing safer ways to cope so painful memories feel less overwhelming over time. For addiction-related concerns she blends relapse-prevention techniques with skill building to reduce urges and strengthen daily routines.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick methods that fit goals, preferences, and the issues at hand. Plans are adjusted as progress is tracked and new needs appear.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care flexible. Video can support hands-on skill coaching and face-to-face connection. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or a speaker-only check-in is needed. Live chat and text are useful for brief check-ins, tracking progress, and getting reminders about homework between longer sessions. These options help therapy fit around work, caregiving, and travel schedules.
Questions people ask about Debra
What concerns does she address?
She helps people with addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and self-esteem. Additional areas include relationship stressors, control issues, and infidelity.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is practical and collaborative, focusing on evidence-based techniques. Sessions emphasize skills practice, clearer communication, and small behavior changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of professional experience working with people facing addiction, loss, and trauma. That background informs a steady, experienced approach to problem solving.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, practicing in Louisiana.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by clicking the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.