Deborah Jost-Beauford, LCPC

Deborah Jost-Beauford is an Illinois licensed professional counselor (LCPC) with 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy across the lifespan. She has worked as a psychotherapist, art therapist, and pet therapist, supporting children, adults, and seniors through concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem struggles, relationship and family issues, grief, eating and sleeping problems, chronic pain, and end-of-life transitions. Deborah combines evidence-informed therapies with creative and body-centered practices to address both acute and long-term challenges.

Trained in modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness practices, and psychodynamic approaches, she draws on a flexible toolkit tailored to each person’s needs. She also brings training in pain management, post-traumatic growth, guided meditation, positive affirmations, art therapy techniques, and grief counseling. Her approach is warm and holistic, honoring each individual’s identity and history while helping them process loss, navigate change, and build practical coping skills.

Deborah emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, meeting people where they are and supporting them through the courage it takes to begin change. She values connection - helping people feel seen, heard, and valued as they work toward healing, greater resilience, and a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Deborah integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into her work to help people identify unhelpful thoughts, develop practical coping skills, and regulate strong emotions. CBT focuses on changing thought and behavior patterns that contribute to distress, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. DBT teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can assist those managing intense feelings, impulsivity, or relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Deborah collaborates with each person to determine the best fit based on their goals, values, and preferences. She combines structured techniques with creative and mindfulness-based practices when appropriate, adapting recommendations as progress and needs evolve.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect with a licensed professional through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access support from home or other comfortable settings, while preserving the collaborative relationship between therapist and client.