Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Richelieu.
Hi Deborah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Deborah Richelieu, I completed my undergraduate degree at Southeastern University studying Psychology and Family Counseling. I honestly felt a little lost after undergrad, I knew I wanted to go back for more education but I was not sure about the mental health field. I worked at an eating disorder residential facility for 3 years.
But I still had a passion for becoming a mental health therapist but I wanted specific training with couples. I started with one class at Nova Southeastern University where she graduated with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am currently a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida, and a certified S.Y.M.B.I.S. (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) pre-marital instructor who also speaks Haitian-Creole.
I currently work as a couples therapist at Therapy Terrace Counseling Center, a faith-based virtual private practice. I believe in using clients’ strengths to help reach new and useful solutions. My passion for family therapy stems from a core belief that restoration is possible for individuals, couples, and family systems.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road to becoming a licensed therapist. I thought I wanted to be a clinical social worker in a hospital or an agency setting, I started 2 semesters of a master of clinical social work program at Barry University. Something did not feel right. I enjoyed the professors and everything I learned, but in my heart, I felt a tug to focus on couples’ work. I reluctantly withdrew from that social work program at Barry University. While I felt very lost, my friends from undergrad we completing their master’s degrees and starting their doctoral programs. I was comparing myself to my peers. I felt behind.
In 2016, my husband who is a licensed minister started officiating weddings at our local church. He asked me to help out with the pre-marital counseling sessions before the wedding date. I was open to helping out after work, but then I discovered my love for helping couples talk through issues such as communication, finances, expectations, and family roles. I finally knew exactly what I wanted to do, I wanted to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. I started the fall of 2017 with 1 class. The next semester I returned to 2 classes and finally in the spring of 2020, I was completing my internship to graduate that summer. As we all know in March of 2020 the world shut down.
Thank God I was able to complete my degree in December 2020. I studied for the state board exam, after 2 failed attempts in December 2022, I learned I passed the exam from the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards and in May 2023, I received the official email from the state of Florida! I was finally a licensed marriage and family therapist. Despite all the challenges, my dream had come true!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a couples and marriage therapist. About 90% of my couples come to me due to constant arguing about issues with no resolution. I help couples gain the necessary skills to fight fair and win in their relationship skills.
I provide pre-engagement counseling, premarital counseling, and couples counseling. I use the Gottman Couples Method and other approaches such as attachment theory, to help couples build effective communication skills and to build stronger emotional connections in the relationship. I teach couples to be clear about expectations and manage their expectations for the different phases of the relationship.
I am most passionate about working with newly married couples who are adjusting to life after the wedding day.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned in this journey is that every couple fights, but learning how to fight can make a world of difference in how each person treats the other during times of conflict.
Pricing:
- $250.00 for a 90-minute session
- $175.00 for a 50-minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://therapyterrace.com/deborah-richelieu/
- Instagram: @richlydeb
- Youtube: @therichcouch
Image Credits
@Adeyemi.co
