Deb Callahan, LCSW

With over 30 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, I am dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families in the Philadelphia area navigate trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges and achieve lasting wellness. My goal is to provide a compassionate and supportive space for your healing and growth journey.

I work with adolescents and adults with a specialty in trauma, abuse, interpersonal violence, PTSD and attachment issues along with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, self esteem and body image and becoming more comfortable with your identity. I also work with artists and performers in becoming more comfortable with accessing your unique voice and barriers to creativity and performing live. Every person’s path is unique, which is why I use an integrated therapy approach tailored to your needs. My specialties include:

- Gestalt Therapy: A certified relational approach helping you become more present and aware of your emotions and body
- Trauma-Informed Care: I utilize EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to work through deep-seated trauma and PTSD as well as inner child work.
- Evidence-Based Techniques: I draw from specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for PTSD using Prolonged Exposure Therapy as well as mindfulness-based practices and attachment
theories.
- Gottman training for couples work
- Art & Music - to support growth and healing

My professional background spans clinical practice, academic leadership, and community advocacy. I have served as an:

- Adjunct Professor at Philadelphia-area graduate Schools of Social Work and creative therapy programs.
- Director of Counseling at Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) in Philadelphia.
- Adolescent Therapist and educator at the Youth Health Empowerment Project (YHEP), focusing on trauma, (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), identity issues, and sexual health for young
adults and teens (ages 13-19) and supervision for staff and interns.
- Therapist and Educator at The Women’s Therapy Center in Philadelphia
- Therapist at inpatient and outpatient mental health settings and child welfare services