Deborah Hilyard, LMHC
Experienced LMHC specializing in trauma and relationships
- Trauma and abuse
- Stress and anxiety
- Family and relationships
About Deborah Hilyard
Deborah Hilyard is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with 34 years of professional experience. She earned her graduate degree in counseling from the University of Memphis in 1988 and has applied that training across a variety of settings, including career services, military family centers, foster care assessments, and mental health counseling for service members and their families. Her experience spans work with trauma, abuse, relationship conflict, parenting challenges, career-related stress, depression, anxiety, grief, and issues associated with aging and caregiving.
Deborah has developed programs to support service members transitioning out of the military and has provided counseling to families navigating separations and the stresses of military life. She has conducted comprehensive assessments for children in foster care and supported survivors of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Her approach blends client-centered principles with cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies, and rational-emotive methods, which she tailors to each person’s circumstances.
Known for a warm and interactive counseling style, Deborah emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels. She works collaboratively with individuals to identify goals and practical steps toward greater wellbeing. Seeking change takes courage, and Deborah aims to empower clients as they take those first steps toward a more fulfilling life.
Deborah has developed programs to support service members transitioning out of the military and has provided counseling to families navigating separations and the stresses of military life. She has conducted comprehensive assessments for children in foster care and supported survivors of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Her approach blends client-centered principles with cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies, and rational-emotive methods, which she tailors to each person’s circumstances.
Known for a warm and interactive counseling style, Deborah emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels. She works collaboratively with individuals to identify goals and practical steps toward greater wellbeing. Seeking change takes courage, and Deborah aims to empower clients as they take those first steps toward a more fulfilling life.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Deborah Hilyard have?
Deborah Hilyard has 34 years of experience.
Is Deborah Hilyard a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor. License details: FL LMHC MH4832.
In which languages does Deborah Hilyard provide therapy?
Deborah Hilyard provides therapy in English.
Where is Deborah Hilyard located?
Deborah Hilyard is located in Florida.
How can I work with Deborah Hilyard as my therapist?
You can work with Deborah Hilyard through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Deborah Hilyard work with international clients?
Deborah Hilyard does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Deborah Hilyard cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's 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 with therapy 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
Deborah uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the person’s own goals and values guide the work - this approach helps people feel heard and respected while they explore solutions. She also applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and many everyday challenges. For clients processing traumatic memories, she may draw on EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - a structured approach that assists people in reducing the intensity of distressing memories and associated reactions.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Deborah works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and she adjusts the plan over time as progress unfolds.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility, allowing people to connect with licensed professionals by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, continue care from different locations, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working toward meaningful change.