Deborah Shields
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Trained
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND BACKGROUND
Deborah Shields is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) with a Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University. With more than 16 years of experience, she is a seasoned therapist dedicated to helping adolescents and adults navigate a wide range of mental health concerns. Much of her career has been spent in the non-profit sector, where she developed a strong belief that quality mental health care should be accessible to all who need it. Deborah is excited to bring her expertise and passion for helping others to the team at Burleson Counseling.
Deborah began her career at The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, where she served as a trauma therapist. In this role, she counseled survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and families impacted by homicide. She helped clients address the difficult symptoms often associated with these experiences, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, PTSD, shame and guilt, substance use, and eating disorders. Beyond her direct clinical work, Deborah trained volunteers, interns, and community organizations on how to support survivors and navigate the dynamics of trauma. She continues to bring this wealth of experience to her clients, offering both individual and couples therapy that promotes resilience and meaningful change. Deborah also supervised both student interns and LPC-Associates as they grew in their clinical skills and professional identity.
She integrates a variety of evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), person-centered, psychodynamic, and somatic awareness to meet the unique needs of her clients.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
Deborah specializes in working with older adolescents, adults, and couples navigating recent and past trauma, various forms of abuse, relationship difficulties, life stressors, and challenging transitions. She also works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, codependency and low self-esteem, helping them rediscover their sense of identity and capacity for personal growth.
At the heart of her work, Deborah strives to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to take steps toward healing and a better quality of life. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside individuals and families during some of life’s most difficult moments. Her warm, client-centered approach fosters safety and trust, empowering clients to move toward change.
Outside of counseling, Deborah enjoys spending quality time with her children and grandchildren, learning about and working in her flower beds, reading, learning to travel, and bible studies at her church.