Deborah "Deb" Likouras , AASW

Deborah "Deb" Likouras is an Australian social worker and counsellor with 23 years of experience and membership in the AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers). She focuses on grief, loss, trauma and bereavement counseling, bringing long-term experience from work across health and community services. Deb has worked extensively within hospital and community settings, including palliative care, cancer services and the NDIS system, and is familiar with the practical complexities those environments can present.

She has considerable experience supporting families, adolescents and young adults, and aims to meet people exactly where they are. As a person-centered practitioner, Deb provides a respectful, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore difficult emotions and life events. Her approach emphasizes listening, empathy and collaboration so clients can find their own path forward.

Deb believes that although life can be messy and painful, hope is possible. She is committed to walking alongside people as they work through grief, trauma and other challenges, helping them to identify strengths, build coping strategies and pursue meaningful change at a pace that feels right to them.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Deborah "Deb" Likouras draws on several evidence-informed approaches to guide online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and taking committed action toward a meaningful life - it can be useful for anxiety, depression and coping with loss. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on providing empathetic, nonjudgmental support so clients can explore their experiences at their own pace - this approach is especially helpful for grief, trauma and relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, supporting improvements in mood, sleep and daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Deb works with clients to understand their needs, goals and preferences and adapts methods to suit each person rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. This collaboration helps identify which strategies are most helpful for the individual.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility for people balancing work, family or health commitments. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, licensed professionals and therapists can provide consistent support without the need for travel. These options make it easier to fit regular sessions into busy lives while maintaining continuity of care.