Deborah Hilyard, LMHC

Deborah Hilyard is a licensed mental health counselor with over 34 years of experience in Florida. She completed her graduate degree in counseling at the University of Memphis in 1988 and has helped people from many backgrounds. Deborah offers a calm, respectful presence and focuses on practical steps people can use right away.

Her work has included roles in university career counseling and family centers for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. She has provided counseling for service members, and has done comprehensive assessments in the foster care system. She has also supported people affected by emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.

Deborah uses a mix of approaches to fit each person’s needs. She draws on client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and EMDR when appropriate. Sessions emphasize clear goals, skills to manage symptoms, and real-world coping strategies.

Common concerns she addresses include stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, grief, substance concerns, and burnout. She also works with people on career decisions, self-esteem, and life transitions.

Her style is warm and interactive. She avoids stigmatizing labels and aims to treat people with sensitivity and compassion. Deborah encourages small, steady steps and partners with each person to create a plan that fits their life.

How Deborah’s Approaches Work Online

Deborah often combines cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered work in online sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and practicing concrete skills to change behavior and reduce distress. Client-centered therapy centers the conversation on what matters most to the person, using empathic listening to guide goals and decisions.

She may also use EMDR for trauma-related concerns when appropriate. EMDR involves structured processing of distressing memories while using bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional intensity and improve coping. It is typically considered when trauma symptoms remain a core concern.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Deborah will talk with each person about their history, needs, and preferences, and then tailor methods to those goals. That collaboration helps set priorities and decide which techniques to try first.

Online formats offer flexibility and practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for skill coaching and EMDR-style work, while phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging support brief check-ins, homework review, or ongoing coaching between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to maintain continuity of care over time.