CBT Therapist Directory

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Debbie Chirikos, LCSW

Experienced LCSW helping clients grow and heal
  • 40 years experience
  • Attachment-informed care
  • Flexible online sessions

About Debbie Chirikos

Debbie Chirikos is a career clinical social worker with four decades of experience helping people navigate stress, relationships, trauma, grief, and life transitions. She chose counseling as her lifelong professional path and brings steady curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning to each therapeutic relationship. Over the years she has practiced across multiple states in America, Hawaii, and Canada, which has shaped a flexible, culturally aware approach to care.

Debbie strives to remain attuned to each person she works with and focuses on practical change that reduces self-defeating patterns and eases painful life experiences. She values non-judgmental feedback, patience with recurring struggles, and the use of humor as a healing tool when it fits the client. Her work centers on partnering with motivated clients who are willing to reflect and do the hard work of change, guiding them toward more authentic, confident ways of living.

She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and attended universities in Colorado. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Debbie has advanced clinical training and a professional license to provide psychotherapy. She believes people who are suffering often carry the seeds of their own solutions and benefits from having a supportive partner in that journey, whether they seek deep change or simply need someone to listen.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression

Also Specializes In

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional Focus Areas

Adoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shamePost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic Approach

Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Debbie Chirikos have?

Debbie Chirikos has 40 years of experience as a clinical social worker and counselor.

Is Debbie Chirikos a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds the credential LCSW. License details: IL LCSW 149.011586.

In which languages does Debbie Chirikos provide therapy?

Debbie provides therapy in English.

Where is Debbie Chirikos located?

Debbie is located in Illinois.

How can I work with Debbie Chirikos as my therapist?

You can work with Debbie through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Debbie Chirikos work with international clients?

No. Debbie does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Debbie Chirikos cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and her availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Debbie

Debbie uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relationships shape current patterns of relating - this work can help with attachment issues, bonding challenges, and family or adoption-related concerns. She also employs Client-Centered Therapy, which places the client's experience at the center of sessions and emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaboration to foster self-awareness and confidence. In addition, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her toolkit for identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and developing practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Debbie works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds so the client feels engaged and supported throughout treatment.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled by video call or phone, and conversations can continue through live chat or text-based messaging when that format works better. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, access licensed professionals from different locations, and maintain consistent momentum between appointments.

Ready to start therapy with Debbie Chirikos?

Take the first step toward a better you.