Deborah Palmer Thomas

Deborah Palmer Thomas, LCSWshe/her

Clinical Social Worker

Murphysboro, Illinois, United States

Also available by telehealth: Illinois

Practical tools, real strengths, and a collaborative path toward a life that feels like yours.

About

I'm Debbie Palmer Thomas, a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Illinois, Colorado, Florida, and Idaho. I believe everyone comes to therapy already carrying real strengths, and my job is to help you find them, build on them, and put them to work. Starting therapy takes courage, and when you're ready to take that step, I'll be right here alongside you.

In our sessions, I listen carefully and without judgment, using open-ended questions to help you explore what's really going on. Cultural context matters to me, and I make sure our conversations honor your unique background and experiences. Together we'll identify your goals, revisit what has worked for you in the past, and develop a personalized set of strategies you can actually use when life gets hard.

My approach draws on Solution Focused Brief Therapy, CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and narrative techniques, always grounded in a person-centered, strengths-based perspective. Whether we're working on anxiety, depression, trauma, or the day-to-day weight of chronic stress, I balance validation with active problem-solving, treating you as a full partner in your own care.

I offer both in-person and virtual sessions, and I welcome a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we're a good fit. Reach out by phone or email whenever you're ready.

Specialties

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Addiction & substance use
  • Grief & loss
  • Relationship issues
  • Parenting
  • Self-esteem
  • LGBTQ+ identity
  • Stress management
  • ADHD

Approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Solution-focused
  • Mindfulness-based
  • Narrative therapy
  • Humanistic / person-centered

Works with

  • Adults
  • Older adults
  • LGBTQ+

Sessions

In-personVideo

Languages

  • English

Logistics

Fees

$125per session

Sliding scale available. Free 15-minute consultation offered.

Insurance

Accepts: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna and Evernorth, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH

Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna and Evernorth, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH

Licensed or authorized in

  • Illinois

Credentials

  • MSW, University of Chicago, 1996
Ready to start? Reach out directly:(618) 787-1514