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“No one can persuade another to change. Each of us guards a gate of change that

can only be opened from the inside.” - Virginia Satir, Family Therapy Co-Founder

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Debbie's life purpose is to help support women and youth on their journey of inner work.

She knows authentic change is graced in the balance of body, mind, and spirit. This

discovery can feel locked away behind the emotional gate of our hearts, but she also 

knows that you have the key!

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She helps people live in harmony, embrace hope, and find healing.

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Dr. Debbie's speaking topics, workshops, seminars and presentations include:

 

• Infant mental health

• Holistic wellness 

• Soul care and mindfulness

• Solutions to generational trauma & Epigenetics

• Suicide Prevention

• Healing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

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Dr. Debbie is an Existential Family Therapist, Wellness Counselor, and Freedom Coach, Debbie's

therapeutic philosophy is influenced by Virginia Satir's Transformational Systemic Therapy, people

making, and systemic change ideals. Debbie's work stems from an infant mental health

foundation which scaffolds a trauma-informed and resiliency-rooted lens. She looks

at the intergenerational impact of unresolved trauma, adverse childhood experiences,

and the beauty that rises from the ashes of repair.

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Dr. Debbie is sincerely avid about helping women and youth solve problems to

unlock their potential- mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She believes words

transform which is why she uses her communications and therapeutic

background to help women build their self-esteem, use their words effectively,

improve how they relate to challenging people or situations, manifest their dreams

and ultimately, resolve conflicts in peace.

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Educational Grounding 

Debbie graduated magna cum laude from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and African American Studies. Early in her professional practice, Debbie experienced a divine shift that she describes as her “Career vs. her Calling” journey. It was also during this time that she learned of a close family member who struggled with Clinical Depression and suicide. After wanting to do more to support her family and community as it concerns Mental Health, she left the media field to focus full-time on mental health, wellness, and counseling.

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Dr. Debbie has since earned a dual Master of Science in Mental Health/ Marriage and Family Therapy from Palm Beach Atlantic University and completed her Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University.  For 2019- 2021, Debbie was selected as an AAMFT/SAMHSA MFP national Doctoral Fellow. The AAMFT/SAMHSA MFP stands for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) in partnership with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Her MFP project was focused on using the lens of IMH diversity-informed tenets, Satir Family Therapy, and reducing African American infant mortality. In 2022, she was awarded received the received the Chancellors Award from the NSU Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine for "demonstrating the characteristics of scholarship, leadership, integrity, humanity, and loyalty to the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy". Debbie is also the past recipient of the Golden Key International Honour Society Graduate Scholarship Award (2010), Honorable Mention designee for the JM Lexus African American Achievers Award for Community Service (2012), and first ever Women of Tomorrow Graduate Scholar (2016).

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Dr. Debbie is trained in and embraces the following methodologies: Touchpoints (Harvard University Boston Children’s Hospital approach to working with families), Narrative Therapy (NSU), EMDR, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Art Therapy with Mindfulness Techniques (CP), Play Therapy Techniques (CP), Newborn Behavioral Observation (Brazelton), Trauma Focused- CBT (MUSC), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CHS), Incredible Years Parenting Series Group Leader (IY), Solution Focused Approach (CSC), SIX SIGMA Yellow Belt (CSC), Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention (CSC), Calming Children in Crisis (CHS), Infant Mental Health Level 1 & 2 (CSC), Prepare ENRICH certified Trainer, Marriage Counselor/ Mentor (SFACC), and many others.

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Debbie's vision is to introduce one million families to the integrated and holistic lens of art therapy, infant mental health, mindfulness, and faith-based practices.

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Community Outreach

Within the community, Debbie is extremely passionate about promoting mental wellness in diverse communities.

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As a Communications Specialist and Mental Health Ministry Advocate, Debbie leads the “Your Life Matters” or #LifeMatters social change initiative for bring attention to mental health and suicide prevention in faith-based, diverse, and underserved communities. Her goal is to help bring awareness to Mental Health, stop the stigma, and save lives from suicide. Under President Obama’s Administration, Debbie was invited to the White House for their “Making Healthcare Better Series on Suicide Prevention” and she has used what she learned to complete over 50 presentations to local churches, nonprofits, and community-based events. As a student member of the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, she hosts workshops on compassion fatigue and mindfulness in the medical community. Due to her servant leadership, Coach Debbie was nominated as the Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition Champion for Faith-Based outreach (2019) and she was honored as a TLJMS Healthcare Professional of the Year (non-physician, 2018) nominee for increasing awareness on mental health and substance abuse prevention. Other awards include: 2016 & 2017 Legacy Magazine as one of "South Florida's Top Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow",

2016 "Education & Empowerment Honoree" from the National Council of 100 Black Women (South Palm Beach Chapter), 2017 Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Student Award, and 2018 New Leaders Council- Palm Beach Fellow. As a Palm Beach Chapter NLC Fellow, Debbie presented a SPARK!TALK to over 400 attendees at the National NLC conference in Houston, TX on suicide prevention.

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She mentors at-risk teen girls as a member of the Women of Tomorrow and she is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Additionally, she frequently shares her expertise as a YouMoms, Inc. Advisory Board Member. When she is not serving in those capacities, she is leading as a member of the Florida Association of Infant Mental Health, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the exciting club of motherhood! 

 

Dr. Debbie is a proud mom of two brilliant children that help keep her growing and learning daily. She is living proof that pain cannot destroy your purpose. Each day, she uses her life experiences and expertise to inspire everyone to let their God given gifts shine!

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She is so grateful for her journey and attributes God’s grace and guidance for her many opportunities to serve. Her goal is that all people find harmony, hope, and healing.

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To reserve or request Dr. Debbie for a staff workshop, retreat, Event Keynote, or University Guest Speaker, click on the message tab above or email her at dmempowers@gmail.com.  

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“I want to love you without clutching, appreciate you without judging, join you without

invading, invite you without demanding, leave you without guilt, criticize you without

blaming, and help you without insulting. If I can have the same from you, then we can

truly meet and enrich each other.” - Virginia Satir, Family Therapy Founder

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