When working with clients, Deborah (Deb) Hunter, Licensed Mental Health Counselor understands that each client is unique and has their own stories, thoughts, and emotions that brought them to therapy. 

Over three decades of experience in the field has taught Deb that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to counseling. She offers a combination of methods that target the varying needs of the individual. 

Flexible, compassionate, and authentic, Deb believes in showing up as herself with clients and embodies what it means to listen, identify, and offer support, while still having a personality.  

Above all, Deb offers clients the genuine experience of exploring their thoughts, feelings, and concerns in a calm and trusting environment, where vulnerability, imperfection, and discomfort are regarded as tools for growth. 

We sat down with Deb to learn more about her background in the mental health field and approach to working with children, adolescents, adults, and families online in Massachusetts or in-person from our office in Amherst.

What inspired you to become a therapist?

When I first started college, I envisioned a future as an elementary school teacher. It didn’t take long for me to realize that traditional classroom teaching wasn’t the right path for me. What did resonate deeply, however, was working with students who faced behavioral and mental health challenges. I found myself drawn to listening to their stories, asking meaningful questions, and supporting them in managing their emotions. That connection sparked a passion that ultimately led me to pursue a master’s degree in counseling psychology.

What have your prior experiences in the mental health field involved?

You could call me a bit old-school. Before joining Handel Behavioral Health, I spent years working at two agencies in Massachusetts: The Behavioral Health Network (formerly the Child Guidance Clinic) and the Center for Human Development. In both roles, I worked closely with individuals and families from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

I’ve worked with low-income families facing complex challenges related to food insecurity, housing instability, access to education, unemployment, and behavioral health needs. I’ve also worked with high-risk teen mothers, often carrying hardship and trauma, while learning how to show up for their babies. 

These experiences have taught me to meet people where they are and root my approach in empathy, cultural humility, and a deep respect for each person’s journey.

How would you describe your approach to counseling?

Over the past three decades as a therapist, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to counseling. Each person carries a unique set of experiences—and with that, a unique set of needs.

I’ve come to appreciate the importance of listening not just to words, but to what people are expressing through their bodies. I strive to be fully present with each client, listening intently to help them tune into their emotions and begin to process what they’re feeling. Part of that work involves helping clients expand their emotional vocabulary so they can more accurately identify what they’re experiencing. I also guide them in noticing where in their bodies those emotions are showing up. Once there’s clarity around what they’re feeling and where it’s being held, meaningful change can begin. 

I’ll incorporate psychoeducation into my work to help clients better understand the connection between their mind and body. At the same time, I aim to keep things grounded—I don’t want to sound like “just a therapist.” I strive to be a real person, sitting with another person, walking alongside them through their process.

Above all, I work to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and comfortable. It’s in that space where we can gently address trauma, build effective coping skills, and move toward a greater sense of emotional calm.

What mental health conditions and life challenges do you offer counseling for?

I’m here to work with children, adolescents, adults, and families who may be struggling with the following mental health conditions and life challenges:

• Parenting Issues
• PTSD/Acute Stress
• Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s Counseling
• Trauma
• Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Personality Disorders
• Obsessive and Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Self-Injurious Behaviors/Self-harm
• Substance Use Disorder/Addictive Disorders 
• Adoption/Foster care
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
• Peak Performance/Performance Anxiety
• Domestic Violence 
• Attachment Disorder

What’s your favorite part of being a therapist?

I love the opportunity to build genuine connections with people, as a therapist. We are all human and we all experience our own struggles, but we are not alone. It’s important for clients to know that life changes, trauma can be healed, new tools can be developed, and the central theme in every person is the importance of connection.

What do you like most about living in Massachusetts?

I love Massachusetts’ diversity in its people and special places. There are different groups of people and people from different walks of life, anywhere you go. I think a lot of different types of people can find a home in Massachusetts.

Start working with Deborah Hunter, LMHC today:

Deborah Hunter, Licensed Mental Health Counselor is here to listen, value, and see you without judgment. She is here to help you safely explore, innovate, create, and be who you are and who you are becoming every step of the way.

To start working with Deb online in Massachusetts or in-person from our Amherst office, contact us today at  (413) 343-4357.

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