Deborah Salant, LICSW

Deborah Salant is an independent licensed social worker with 33 years of clinical experience. As a LICSW - a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - she brings long-term expertise working with individuals, couples and families, and has balanced periods of full-time practice with time taken to raise her family. Her approach adapts to the needs of each situation, drawing on supportive therapy, a family systems model and a 12-step framework when appropriate to address addiction, fertility concerns and other complex issues.

She has particular experience treating chronic depression and anxiety and supporting people through substance use challenges. Deborah also works with families affected by aging and health problems, while maintaining an active interest in supporting parents of young children through behavioral strategies that help with everyday parenting challenges. She is skilled in working with people across sexual orientations, identifications and lifestyles, and tailors her work to couples and family dynamics as well as individual concerns.

Intake begins with a brief history to clarify why someone is seeking help, followed by the formation of a therapeutic alliance in the session. Goal setting is addressed and reviewed periodically, and she typically meets with clients weekly or biweekly depending on the stage of therapy. Deborah aims to help clients move toward greater well-being and more satisfying relationships through collaborative, goal-oriented work.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Deborah integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship in which the client’s perspective guides the work - it is especially helpful for building self-esteem, coping with life changes and exploring relationship dynamics. CBT offers practical tools to identify and shift unhelpful thought and behavior patterns, which can be effective for anxiety, depression, stress and many coping challenges.

She approaches treatment collaboratively, recognizing that finding the right fit is part of the therapeutic process. Deborah works with each person to clarify goals, try approaches and adjust the plan over time so the methods align with the client’s needs, values and preferences, and she involves family or partners when that work is beneficial.

Online therapy with Deborah includes video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities or geographic distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access licensed professionals and therapists from varied locations while adapting the format to what works best for the client.