About me
My name is Debbie and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Jersey. I have over 30 years experience working primarily in the school setting with students who have special needs and/or behavioral issues. I had a great deal of experience in various settings including mental health agencies, in-home counseling services, the foster care system, and private practices . I have primarily worked with teens, children, parents, families and couples. Adolescence is such a difficult stage including self identity, self -esteem, emotional regulation, physical, emotional and social changes, academic and peer pressures and individualization from parents. I have a very comfortable approach for teens, having worked with them for over 30 years.
I have a very direct approach paired with passion, compassion, humor and dedication. My main goal is to empower you to make the changes you are looking for in your life.
I use a Client-Centered approach that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Values Clarification, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing and Emotionally and Solution -Focused Therapy. I have found online counseling to be extremely effective.
Every individual is different. I start where the teen is, identifying and assessing goals, priorities, values, feelings and how needs are communicated. We will work together for to gain insight, self-awareness of strengths and challenges, values, patterns and perceptions. It may be beneficial to obtain Input from family . Basic life skills and strategies will be identified for social competencies, relationships, academic success, self esteem, self identity, independence, problem solving, conflict resolution, taking responsibility, gaining motivation, coping and communication depending on the goals and needs. I connect well with the majority of individuals that I work with including resistant children and teens! I am truly committed and am very available to clients via tele health.
I will listen with an empathetic ear and heart and work together to empower you to create change for a more fulfilling life! Seeking out a counselor through BetterHelp is the first step to making that happen! : )
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Anger management
- Self esteem, Motivation
- ADHD
Relationship issues , Parenting issues , Coping with life changes , Adoption and Foster Care , Autism and Asperger Syndrome , Avoidant Personality , Blended Family Issues , Commitment Issues , Communication problems , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
Years of Experience: 37
Services offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
NJ LCSW 44sc00104400
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Debra Sorkow Kochakji. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.
So far Debra has been so kind and understand. I can tell that she really cares and wants to help me. I am actually excited to be in therapy. Thank you Debra!!
Debbie is a very gifted therapist and communicator. She is warm and very welcoming. I really felt that she met my “pace” with therapy. She never pushed into spaces that made me uncomfortable but instead really knew how to bring clarity to the problems I brought up. I learned a lot in such a short time and I owe it to her expertise!
Thank you! Great to work with.
Debra was a very pleasant counselor! She's very flexible and great with scheduling/rescheduling. She's super laid back and is humorous in conversation. Debra was always supportive encouraged me in ways that helped boost my self esteem. She was also really open to all types of topics of conversations and was a great listener.
She does a great job