Debra Cook, AASW

Debra Cook is an AASW-accredited social worker with more than 20 years of professional experience supporting adults who face work-related stress, workplace bullying, or a sense of being stuck when considering their next steps. She focuses on helping people who have lost confidence, feel worn down by difficult work environments, or are under pressure to move forward without a clear sense of what they really want.

Her practice is strengths-based and person-centred, offering a calm and non-judgemental space to explore what is happening at work and in life. She helps people identify and understand unhelpful patterns, rebuild confidence, and clarify goals that fit with their values and current circumstances. Work is collaborative and paced to the individual, with a focus on empowerment, self-understanding and achieving sustainable change. Debra draws on her extensive experience to help clients translate insight into practical steps for work, relationships and wellbeing.

Approaches for online support and practical change

Debra often works from a client-centred approach, which means the therapy is guided by the person’s own goals and pace and focuses on building understanding, confidence and self-directed change. This approach is helpful for people who want a supportive, non-judgemental space to explore work and life questions.

She also uses mindfulness therapy to help people develop present-moment awareness and strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Mindfulness techniques can support calmer responses to workplace pressure and everyday overwhelm.

In addition, Debra applies solution-focused methods that concentrate on small, achievable steps toward clear goals. This approach suits people seeking practical ways to move past feeling stuck and to rebuild confidence in work and relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and is decided collaboratively. Debra will work with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting as progress is made.

Online therapy with Debra is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, providing flexible options to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home or work, and choose the communication style that feels most helpful.