Deborah Richardson, LCSW
LCSW with 45 years supporting life transitions
- Trauma and grief care
- Parenting and family support
- Accepting international clients
About Deborah Richardson
Deborah Richardson, LCSW, brings 45 years of clinical experience and a warm, down-to-earth approach to her work. Known to many as Deb, she discovered an early aptitude for listening when friends and neighbors began confiding in her as a child, and that calling gradually led her into a lifetime in social work. She completed a teaching degree and then earned a master of social work from The University of Tennessee. The LCSW credential stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, indicating advanced clinical training in social work.
Her career path shifted from administrative aspirations to direct clinical practice after she filled in for a therapist and found the work deeply fulfilling. Over decades she has worked in a wide variety of settings - in-patient and out-patient care, nursing homes, group homes, prisons, forensic psychiatry for fifteen years, and private practice for twenty-four years - serving people across the lifespan and from diverse backgrounds. She has used many therapeutic techniques tailored to each person, including creative methods like music, art, and writing alongside evidence-informed talk therapy.
Deborah balances professional experience with a rich personal life. She has been married twice, raised two daughters, cared for numerous pets, and now looks forward to grandchildren. Her ten-pound Shih Tzu, Amanda-Grace, often joined her in the office during in-person work and remains a cheerful presence when clients connect by voice. Throughout her long career she has focused on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship and family challenges, ADHD, mood concerns, and life transitions, always prioritizing empathy and practical, person-centered support.
Her career path shifted from administrative aspirations to direct clinical practice after she filled in for a therapist and found the work deeply fulfilling. Over decades she has worked in a wide variety of settings - in-patient and out-patient care, nursing homes, group homes, prisons, forensic psychiatry for fifteen years, and private practice for twenty-four years - serving people across the lifespan and from diverse backgrounds. She has used many therapeutic techniques tailored to each person, including creative methods like music, art, and writing alongside evidence-informed talk therapy.
Deborah balances professional experience with a rich personal life. She has been married twice, raised two daughters, cared for numerous pets, and now looks forward to grandchildren. Her ten-pound Shih Tzu, Amanda-Grace, often joined her in the office during in-person work and remains a cheerful presence when clients connect by voice. Throughout her long career she has focused on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship and family challenges, ADHD, mood concerns, and life transitions, always prioritizing empathy and practical, person-centered support.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityFamily problemsHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Gottman Method Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Deborah Richardson have?
Deborah Richardson has 45 years of experience in social work and clinical practice.
Is Deborah Richardson a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW, which denotes Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: TN LCSW 3405.
In which languages does Deborah Richardson provide therapy?
Deborah Richardson provides therapy in English.
Where is Deborah Richardson located?
She is located in Tennessee.
How can I work with Deborah Richardson as my therapist?
You can work with Deborah Richardson through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Deborah Richardson work with international clients?
Yes, Deborah Richardson works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Deborah Richardson cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
How Deborah Combines Therapeutic Approaches with Online Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify their values and take meaningful steps toward them while learning to live with difficult thoughts and feelings. It is often used for anxiety, stress, depression, and life transitions.Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of connection and closeness that shape relationships. This approach can be helpful for those working through relationship challenges, abandonment issues, or family dynamics.
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, empathetic partnership in which the therapist follows the client’s lead and supports self-directed growth. It is well suited to people seeking a supportive space to explore identity, self-esteem, parenting concerns, or grief.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Deborah draws on these methods and others to tailor care to each person’s needs, goals, and preferences, and she works with clients to adjust strategies as therapy unfolds.
Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer practical flexibility and increased accessibility, allowing clients to receive care from home or other convenient locations. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to maintain continuity of care for clients in Tennessee and beyond.
Ready to start therapy with Deborah Richardson?
Take the first step toward a better you.