Debra Aquino, LCSW

Debra Aquino is an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - who brings three years of focused clinical experience to her practice in Kentucky. She works with people facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, relationship and family struggles, parenting challenges, anger management, grief, career difficulties, self-esteem issues, and coping with life changes. Her additional areas of focus include veteran and armed forces issues, multicultural concerns, and seasonal affective disorder. Debra combines warmth and active engagement to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where each person is treated with sensitivity and compassion.

Her approach draws on client-centered principles, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies, and she adapts conversations and treatment plans to match each client’s unique needs and goals. Debra emphasizes empowerment and collaboration, supporting clients as they explore practical tools and new perspectives to manage symptoms and navigate transitions. She offers services in English and is open to working with international clients, providing flexible options for those seeking support across different locations.

Debra encourages anyone ready to pursue a more satisfying and balanced life to take that first step toward change. She is committed to supporting and empowering clients through their journeys and looks forward to the opportunity to work together.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Debra uses client-centered therapy to place each person’s priorities at the center of sessions, creating an empathic atmosphere where personal goals guide the work. This approach helps with relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions by focusing on individual strengths and values.

She also integrates cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT - which helps people identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood instability. CBT is often useful for managing day-to-day distress and building coping skills.

Mindfulness therapy is another element of her practice, teaching present-moment awareness and grounding techniques that can reduce reactivity to stress and improve emotional regulation.

Determining the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. Debra works with clients to explore which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions happen - video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules or to connect from different locations. Working with licensed professionals in these formats can increase access to consistent support while allowing clients to choose the mode of communication that feels most comfortable for them.