Deb Madera, M.Ed., LMHC

Deb has been in the mental health field for 20 years. She started her career working with children and using Play Therapy to help them heal. As her career progressed, she became more interested in other types of clinical approaches including experiential therapies (Art, Movement, Drama) and Animal Assisted therapies. She co-founded the first Farm Based therapy program for outpatient services in Massachusetts utilizing farm animals, nature, and the farm itself in treatment. Along the way, she also developed a passion for supervising and mentoring the next generation of therapists. Deb has worked in a community agency setting, private practice, schools and on the farm. She now works with clients of all ages and uses traditional approaches such as CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, as well as experiential techniques, including canine therapy to help her clients achieve greater well-being and healing. Deb trained other clinicians both locally in Massachusetts and at a National Conference on Animal Assisted therapy. She has appeared in local newspapers and on the national news for her innovative approach to therapy.