Deborah Courtney, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., M.A.

Advisory Board Member

2022

Mental Health

Forbes Health Advisory Board Member

Deborah Courtney is a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in New York. She integrates evidence-based, trauma-informed treatments with spiritual healing approaches to honor the connection between mind, body and spirit. Specifically, she utilizes eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing (SE), ego state therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and reiki. She’s featured in various media forms promoting holistic mental health and wellness and is a speaker on the topics of trauma, holistic mental health treatment, self-care and mindfulness. Courtney’s other endeavors include creating the EMDR Journey Game, an internationally sold trauma treatment tool, and running her socially- and emotionally-minded day school for children in upstate New York. She’s excited to soon release an online learning platform to make holistic mental health education accessible to a mass audience.

Deborah Courtney is a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in New York. She integrates evidence-based, trauma-informed treatments with spiritual healing approaches to honor the connection between mind, body and spirit. Specifically, she utilizes eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing (SE), ego state therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy ....Read More

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Board Certifications and Training

  • New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
  • Certified Reiki Master

Education

  • University of Richmond (B.A.)
  • The City University of New York-John Jay (M.A. Forensic Psychology)
  • Fordham University (Master of Social Work)
  • Fordham University (Ph.D.)

Achievements

  • Humanity Unified, Board of Directors
  • EMDR Journey Game, Creator
  • Pine Grove Country Day School, Owner
  • Credentialed Social Work Continuing Education Provider
  • Psychotherapy Media Expert

  • PTSD Symptoms: Causes, Treatments And How To Recognize Them

    In the same way that positive experiences and excitement are parts of life, so is trauma. While it’s possible to go through trauma, process it and move forward, experiencing trauma can sometimes lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a...

  • 10 Signs It’s Time To Switch Therapists

    Finding a great therapist is not always as simple as booking an appointment with the first therapist you find online or going off a recommendation from a friend or family member. In order to fully take advantage of the benefits...

  • Practical Types Of Self-Care You Can Do Today

    Self-care is a buzzword that may conjure images of cucumber slice-covered eyes or a long soak in a candle-lit bath, but the meaning is much deeper than that. Nurturing yourself involves paying attention to your body as well as your...

  • 4 Expert-Backed Breathing Exercises For Anxiety

    One of the most powerful tools to help with acute and chronic anxiety is our breath. Breathing is a unique method of anxiety relief because it’s both automatic and self-controlled, meaning even though we breathe unconsciously, the way we breathe...

  • 4 Red Flags In A Relationship—And How To Spot Them

    Healthy relationships are often built on a foundation of trust, respect and two-way communication. Unhealthy relationships lack those key tenets and may swap in dishonesty, contempt and suspicion instead. Experts call these hurtful behaviors red flags, which can lead to...

  • 4 Signs Of Emotional Abuse, According To Experts

    You may have noticed that your friend’s boyfriend is always criticizing her. Or, perhaps you’re left feeling badly about yourself after every meeting with your boss. While we may acknowledge these are not healthy interactions, we might miss the fact...

  • What Is A Psychopath?

    Perhaps you've heard the term 'psychopath' mentioned in a recent true crime podcast or Netflix documentary. But, do you know what the term means, exactly? The condition, which is not actually a clinical diagnosis, connotes a particular set of traits...

  • What Is Adjustment Disorder?

    Stress is an inevitable part of the human experience, but each of us responds to it in a unique way. For some, recovering from a stressful experience, such as a death, job loss or divorce, can be a struggle that...

  • What Is Gestalt Therapy?

    Gestalt therapy—founded by Fritz and Laura Perls in the 1940s—centers on increasing self-awareness in part by teaching how to be present in the moment. “It’s the therapy of experiencing,” says Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty...

  • ADD vs. ADHD: What’s The Difference?

    Medical experts have studied behavior in children for decades, and while disorders involving a struggle with being inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive go by many names, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common diagnoses....

  • Sociopath vs. Psychopath: What’s The Difference?

    You’ve likely heard the terms "sociopath" and "psychopath" before, but what do they actually mean? In fact, neither is a clinical diagnosis, and while both suggest a similar set of traits relating to antisocial behavior and emotional detachment, they have...

  • Your Guide To The Best Light Therapy Lamps

    It’s that time of year again in which the days get shorter and darkness sets in a lot earlier—and it’s not uncommon to see a shift in your energy levels and mood as a result. In fact, you may be...

  • Traits Of A Narcissist: How To Recognize One

    While just about anyone can display narcissistic behavior from time to time, for someone to be diagnosed with true narcissist personality disorder (NPD) they must meet a specific set of criteria. This mental health condition is a type of personality...

  • What Is Agoraphobia?

    While it’s understandable to be wary of venturing into public spaces after spending increased time at home, if your hesitancy develops into an intense fear or anxiety, you may be struggling with a mental health disorder called agoraphobia. Here’s what...

  • What Is EMDR Therapy?

    Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy designed to treat psychological trauma. It was first developed in 1987 by psychologist Francine Shapiro for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She noticed a link between eye...

  • 7 Ways To Support A Depressed Friend

    Few things in life are more painful than the feeling of helplessness we experience when a friend sinks into a serious depression. If only we could say exactly the right words or do just the right thing, could we lift...

Health Philosophy

“I am passionate about sharing evidence-based, trauma-informed knowledge integrated with spiritual healing approaches in order to help people heal, enhance their wellness and live their best lives. I strive to empower, teach and make holistic mental health treatment accessible.”