Her Story
About Deborah
Deborah Anderson, LISW, LCSW, is a licensed social worker and private-practice clinician with approximately 20 years of experience in social work and behavioral health. She specializes in substance abuse and addiction services and currently provides remote services through her private practice, as well as through Rula. She is licensed in both Ohio and Texas and utilizes approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy. Ms. Anderson earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work in Child and Family Services from The University of Toledo. Her professional background includes more than a decade in community mental health in Ohio, along with experience in counseling, intervention services, case management, public-school settings, and the family-justice system. After relocating to Texas, she established a virtual private practice that enables her to continue providing accessible behavioral health services remotely. Ms. Anderson views social work as a calling and draws upon both her professional experience and the life experiences that have shaped her perspective. She considers appropriate self-disclosure an important strength because it allows clients to see her as human and relatable. Her approach emphasizes accurate documentation, respect for clients' values and beliefs, realistic expectations about the challenges of the profession, and empowering clients with the knowledge and skills needed to move forward successfully.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deborah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a sense of calling. I believe that everyone has a specific purpose in life, and I believe I was called to do this work. God allowed me to experience some of the most challenging and difficult circumstances in my life, and I have been able to incorporate those experiences into my professional skill set. One of my greatest strengths is appropriate self-disclosure, because it allows my clients to see me as a human being rather than someone who considers herself superior to them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is that documentation is critical. What we learn in school is absolutely necessary, but one of the most important lessons in social work is that if something is not documented, it effectively did not happen. Thorough and accurate documentation is essential to responsible professional practice.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering social work to take off the rose-colored glasses and recognize that this field will come with challenges and disappointments, both from clients and from administrative or political systems. Be prepared to face those challenges while remaining committed to helping the people you serve. Give clients as much information as possible and teach them the skills available within your professional skill set so they can move forward successfully. Most importantly, be prepared to fight the good fight.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in social work is how broad the field is. There are many different populations and demographics that professionals can serve, and social workers can pursue everything from administrative roles to highly hands-on service provision. The profession can also evolve significantly throughout a career, allowing individuals to take their careers in different directions depending on their interests, strengths, and goals.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe it is important to respect my clients' individual values and beliefs and never overstep those boundaries. Faith is also an important part of my life and practice. I incorporate God through prayer before beginning my day and my work, and when a client is receptive and shares similar values and beliefs, I may appropriately include those beliefs in what I pray about concerning their circumstances.
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