About Me
Deb Early is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor offering individual, family and couples therapy through her private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. She offers comprehensive treatment surrounding issues involving couples/relationships, grief and recovery, separation and divorce, post traumatic stress, parenting issues, depression, codependence and anxiety.
She has been involved in the counseling field since 1989 when she began her career as an addictions specialist for the psychiatric
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department of St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She then moved onto being a guidance counselor for the Fairfax County Public School system, as well as opening a private practice in Old Town, Alexandria. Debra's next professional endeavor involved becoming a Senior Military Family Life Specialist for the Department of Defense, where she oversaw all national and international therapy and outreach services during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Deb worked as a therapist with the Faculty Employee Assistance Program at the University of Virginia along with operating her private practice here in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her counseling passion resides in the area of couples and relationship work and Debra is currently in specialized couples training with Hedy Schleiffer, an internationally-renowned master relationship builder, https://hedyschleifer.com/
Deb offers a unique approach to her practice by merging client-focused and solution-oriented techniques. She provides a nurturing, supportive and thought provoking atmosphere to assist clients in enhancing their relationship skills. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Deb resides with her husband, Gregg, and her four children in Charlottesville, Virginia. She enjoys many outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and birding, as well as being an avid reader and history buff.
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My Experience
Education:
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BS, James Madison University, Political Science, 1985
MA, Western Maryland College, 1991
Post Graduate Studies, University of Memphis, Gallaudet University, George Washington University and Catholic University
License, Certifications & Awards:
Licensed Professional Counselor, License # 0701004452
Certified in Enneagram in the Workplace practice
Reality Counseling and Training Center, Advanced Studies certificate, William Glasser Institute
PAIRS (Couples therapy) Certificate
Additional Training:
Overcoming Anxiety, Anger and Depression Through the Path of Mindfulness
Enneagram Temperament Types Workshop
Anger Management and Forgiveness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Certified Employee Assistance Professional
Workshops Offered:
Women in Transition and Roads to Recovery
Bereavement Support
Addictions (AA and COA)
Self Esteem
Anger Management
Enneagram Discovery for Long Lasting Relationships
Community Positions:
New Hope Housing , acted on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization providing homeless families and individuals with shelter, life skills training and other resources throughout Alexandria, Virginia and the Route One corridor.
Facing History in Ourselves , founder for program that worked in collaboration with Steven Spielberg and Christian Brothers University to establish curriculum for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis to explore racial prejudice through a look at the Holocaust experience.
Walk the Line , founder for program with at-risk youth and local prison system to address growing gang problem in Memphis, TN.
Professional Activities and Memberships:
American Counseling Association
Association of Family and Marital Counselors
American Mental Health Counselor Association
Member of Monthly Professional Supervision Meeting of Alexandria
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