Debbie McCaffrey, M.A, LMFTA
Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy
BY CAROLYN S PETERSON
Although Debbie McCaffrey ultimately fulfilled her calling of being a marriage and family therapist a bit later in life, at the age of 43, it was her own personal experience of journeying through the highs and lows of living that fostered her deep compassion and care for others.
Growing up in the small town of Geneva, Illinois, as a pastor’s kid and the youngest of four children, Debbie saw empathy and genuine concern for helping others on full display every day. “Both my mom and my dad had visible roles in ministry, so they set a clear example for all of their children about what it really meant to support people in their deepest times of need,” recalled Debbie.
“When I am talking with clients, it is easy for me to meet them with empathy in their pain because no matter what the circumstances are that they are facing, we have all felt sadness, hopelessness and even despair at some point in our lives. At the end of the day, we are all human and in need of genuine human connection.”
Thinking back, one of the early times in her own life that brought complicated and complex feelings was during a family move when she was 16 years old. “Our family moved to Orlando, Florida, when I was a junior and my brother was a senior in high school. Needless to say, that was not the easiest time for two teens to uproot and say goodbye to all that was familiar. Leaving behind the same friends that I had been close to since pre-school, I had a profound sense of loss and confusion. I turned to perfectionism in every area of my life, including academics and athletics. I realize now I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and I didn’t know of a more effective way to cope. Much like the teenagers of today, battling anxiety, depression, and social pressures, I hope to provide a safe outlet for them to process their feelings through counseling.”
“After originally pursuing my master’s degree from Liberty University in 2013, looking back, I can see that the timing wasn’t right for me to meet that goal. However, after four additional years learning through life as a wife and mother, I returned to Liberty in 2018 to earn my master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. While 2020 has been a difficult year for most of us, I am grateful to be able to provide much needed counseling services during this unprecedented time,” reflected Debbie.
Debbie’s counseling practice focuses on everything from couples experiencing a significant marital crisis to preventative marriage “tune-up’s,” along with an emphasis on depression, anxiety, parent/child relationships, challenging family dynamics, and struggles unique to adolescents and teens.
“My greatest hope is that my clients will experience a warm, inviting, and compassionate counseling atmosphere when they enter my office,” Debbie shared. She believes that being a good listener is one of the most valuable skills for a counselor to possess. “I consider it a true privilege to hear the personal stories that my clients’ share with me and I feel honored to build trust with each person who walks through my office door.”
In addition to her passion for counseling, Debbie is wildly passionate about her husband of 21 years, her two children, ages 19 and 17, and her three lively pups. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks, listening to live music, and frequenting locally owned vineyards and restaurants.
If you would like to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Debbie to determine if counseling might be the right choice for you, you can reach Debbie at 336-930-7800 or at debbie@debbiemccaffreymft.com For more information on her counseling practice , visit her website at debbiemccaffreymft.com. Debbie is currently accepting new clients at her office, 100-B Stadium Oaks Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012.
