Deborah Brown

I consider myself a humanitarian because I absolutely love working with people. Though my focus career is in mental and behavioral health, I am also a nurse. I have enjoyed working in various medical fields including supervision on units, forensic nursing in local jails and in the state prison system.

I hold a bachelor's degree in behavioral analysis and have found it rewarding to work with children across the autism spectrum. I also have a bachelor’s in substance abuse disorders and have worked with those in addiction, in both outpatient and residential treatment.

In my current career in outpatient therapy practice I work with clients from the age of three to geriatric age. I love working with various populations to expand my knowledge base. I try to help my clients discover the root cause of their problems and help them process the issue and devise a plan to overcome the issue while building strong coping skills to prevent recurrences that interfere with functionality.

I provide Client-Parent Psychotherapy with specialized training from Florida State University. This training has helped me to collaborate with clients who have cases with Department of Children and Families to understand their own generational trauma and stop the cycle. The client learns to prioritize the needs, safety, and provision of their children through positive parenting skills. This program aims to bring children back together with their parents.

I look forward to meeting you and to beginning the steps that lead to a peaceful, content, purpose driven life.

In my practice, I find that three especially strong approaches are invaluable. First, I practice active listening to ensure my clients feel truly heard and understood. I also use open-ended questions to gently invite clients to share more about their inner world. Finally, I focus on empathetic reflection, letting clients know I genuinely care and validate their experience, helping them see their challenges in a new light. Throughout all of these approaches, I maintain a nonjudgmental stance, creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can express themselves freely without fear of criticism.

As a mental health counselor, clients can expect their first session with me to be a welcoming and supportive experience. I begin by creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can share what brings them to therapy and discuss any immediate concerns they may have. We’ll talk about your goals for counseling, review confidentiality, and discuss what you hope to achieve through our work together.

I focus on active listening and open-ended questions to understand your unique needs and background. The first session is also an opportunity for you to ask me any questions about the therapeutic process and for us to establish a foundation of trust and collaboration. My goal is to ensure you feel heard, respected, and comfortable as we begin working toward positive change together.