Deborah 'Rachel' Friedman , LISW

Deborah 'Rachel' Friedman is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with more than 32 years of professional experience. As an LISW she provides clinical counseling informed by extensive experience supporting people through complex emotional and life transitions.

Alongside her clinical work, she trains pet and service dogs and has a sub-specialty in psychiatric service dogs, bringing a unique perspective to adaptive support and everyday functioning. Her combined background supports a practical, strengths-based approach to care.

She has worked with people facing stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and issues related to LGBTQ identity. Her practice also addresses control issues, family problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, hospice and end-of-life concerns, isolation and loneliness, midlife transitions, mood and panic disorders, post-traumatic stress, self-love, social anxiety, and effects of traumatic brain injury.

Friedman views each person as the expert in their own story and emphasizes clients' existing strengths as tools for change. She frames therapy as a collaborative process and aims to support and empower individuals as they take steps toward a more fulfilling life. She is not currently accepting new clients.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and collaboration. The therapist creates an accepting, nonjudgmental environment and helps the person explore their experiences and values so they can identify their own solutions. This approach is useful for building self-awareness, self-love, and stronger coping skills.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies to change behaviors and emotional responses. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and mood-related concerns because it emphasizes concrete tools and measurable progress.

Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the effects of traumatic events by helping clients process memories, reduce symptom impact, and develop new coping strategies. It is applied when past trauma contributes to current distress or difficulties in daily life.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and will recommend or combine methods that best fit the client's situation. This shared decision-making helps tailor care to real-life priorities.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make scheduling easier across different time zones and daily routines, and they allow clients to work with licensed professionals from locations that suit them. For many people, remote sessions provide consistent access to ongoing support while fitting into busy lives.