Erin Debono, LMFT

(she/her)

Connection is central to how we experience the world, starting with our relationship to ourselves. Through introspection and compassion, I help individuals and couples come to believe in their inherent worth and better understand the patterns that shape their relationships. I believe that non-judgmental insight and mindfulness are powerful catalysts for change and improved quality of life.

Life can be hard; therapy is a place to honor the challenges you’ve encountered and the ways you’ve learned to live with them. I don’t subscribe to the idea that there are “right” or “wrong” ways of coping. Instead, we can get curious, exploring how these strategies came to be and how they impact us, positively and negatively. This work, combined with building skills in mindfulness, emotional awareness, and self- compassion, can help you have more satisfying relationships to yourself and others.

The creation of a safe, affirming space is the foundation for the challenging work of growing and changing. I prioritize fostering a relationship to my clients through humor and compassion. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy; every client has their own needs, identities, and experiences that cannot be separated from the issues that bring them in. I strive to understand your story and co-create a therapeutic experience that feels meaningful.

The most important thing to know about me is my deep fascination with relationships, whether they belong to me, my clients, or the main character of the latest book I’m reading. I was born and raised in metro-Detroit and my love for the state of Michigan is something that I rarely get through an introductory conversation without mentioning. In my free time, I enjoy browsing Facebook Marketplace or walking my dog, Goose.

I attended Michigan State University for my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Purdue University Northwest for my Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy where I completed my master’s thesis on developing a model for affirming couples therapy for couples navigating a gender transition. I have completed Levels 1 and 2 of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy training and am a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, all of which provide a helpful foundation for my individual and relational work.