Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Depression
How Debra works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- California
- Years in practice
- 10
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Debra
Debra Pintel Steiner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, anger, and other life challenges. She focuses on helping people manage intense feelings and find clearer ways to move forward. Her style is calm and direct, aimed at making conversations feel manageable even when topics are difficult.
Before shifting to independent practice, she worked for Alameda County Child Protective Services.
Background and approach
There she provided family counseling within the child welfare system and gained firsthand experience with complex family dynamics. That background informs how she listens for safety, patterns, and practical steps families and individuals can take. In sessions she builds a trusting relationship so people can say what they’re feeling without being judged.
She helps clients name emotions, notice patterns, and try small changes that can reduce stress. She adapts her approach to the person in front of her rather than using the same plan for everyone. Debra draws on client-centered methods that prioritize the client’s voice.
She also uses mindfulness techniques to help people regulate strong emotions. When past trauma is relevant, she employs trauma-focused work to address how earlier experiences affect present day functioning. Her work is straightforward and practical.
She aims to help people develop clearer thinking, better emotional regulation, and actionable steps for everyday life. Sessions are intended to feel collaborative and goal-oriented.
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.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
Approaches Debra lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that translate well to online therapy
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and perspective. In practice this means the therapist listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps clients decide what matters most to them. It’s useful for stress, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes.Mindfulness therapy teaches simple awareness and grounding skills for managing intense emotions. These practices can reduce reactivity and improve sleep and focus. They work well for anxiety, anger, and compassion fatigue because they offer concrete tools clients can use between sessions.
Trauma-focused therapy addresses how past painful events show up today. The work involves helping clients notice triggers, build coping skills, and change how they respond to painful memories. This approach supports people dealing with trauma and abuse, grief, and related symptoms.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try methods that fit the client’s needs, and adjust plans as progress is made. Clients and therapist decide together which tools and methods feel most helpful.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people work face-to-face when that helps progress. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging allow for brief check-ins or ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it simpler to keep therapy consistent while fitting it into everyday life.
Questions people ask about Debra
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She supports adults with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, relationship and parenting concerns, addictions, trauma and related issues listed in her specialties.
What is her therapy style and approach?
She uses a client-centered style that lets the client lead. She pairs that with mindfulness techniques and trauma-focused work when those fit the person’s needs.
How much experience does she have?
She has ten years of experience, including past work providing family counseling in the child welfare system with Alameda County Child Protective Services.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California and practices with that credential.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as options for remote work.
How are costs and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.