Debra Schwarze

Debra Schwarze is a licensed counselor in Illinois and a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin with 30 years of experience in mental health settings. Her background spans community mental health, schools, faith-based programs, health systems, and private practice, giving her a broad perspective on client needs.

She holds master’s degrees in counseling and in art therapy. Debra uses an eclectic, client-centered approach that draws primarily from cognitive behavioral techniques, DBT-informed strategies, and expressive therapies. When an individual is open to creative methods, she incorporates art-making to help give voice to experiences that can be difficult to express in words.

Debra has worked with people facing major depression, bipolar disorder, a range of anxiety disorders, ADHD, life-changing events, end-of-life concerns, and cancer. She understands how daunting it can be to reach out for help and recognizes that beginning therapy often brings anxiety and uncertainty.

Her role is to provide a comfortable environment where clients can explore the issues that brought them to therapy, and her expectation is that clients will be as open and honest as they can to support growth and healing. While she does not promise to solve life’s problems for her clients, she is committed to helping them make the changes they wish to achieve.

Debra looks forward to meeting clients and supporting them on their journey toward improved mental well-being.