U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright presenting Rev. Deb with Doctorate in Ministry in Pastoral Counseling & Clinical Education
Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion
Doctoral Thesis: “Understanding the Spiritual and Faith Community Needs of People in Alternative Relationships”
About Rev. Deb
I am the Reverend Dr. Deborah Berman, DMin, LCSW (she/her). I am Queer, Alt Relationship, Abundant Bodied, and Progressive/Secular Jewish.
I am Ivy League educated and have 18+ years of experience as a respected figure in the Holistic and Integrative counseling field as a licensed psychotherapist, life coach, and relationship rescue expert. I support and affirm the lives of Poly, ENM, Kink, LGBTQAI2+, Sex Workers, and Alt Relationships, as well as our beloved Allies who believe in supporting the mission of PrideMinistry. I hold a Doctorate in Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and Clinical Education from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City through which I conducted the groundbreaking, first-ever research study on the intersection of spiritual counseling needs of people in Alternative Relationships. I have a Master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Social Work where I concentrated in mental health and clinical practice. My undergraduate degree is in contemporary Jewish Studies and a minor in Religion.
I am an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister through One Spirit Seminary where I served as a Dean in the One Spirit Interspiritual Counseling Program. I continue to teach courses at One Spirit on the intersections of sex positivity, sexuality, gender, and theology. I am the creator and facilitator of the OSLA Alt Faith Collective, an affinity group for Alt-identifying and Alt-exploring clergy and spiritual counselors.
Prior to going into private practice as a licensed psychotherapist in New York City and then opening up my separate coaching and spiritual practice at PrideMinistry, I was the Director of the Behavioral Health at Program at Interfaith Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. I created the institute’s first-ever LGBQAI2+ affirming outpatient mental health services. I also served as the Director of Social Work and Clinical Services at Orthodox Union’s Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities, creating no-fee family and relationship counseling centers in the U.S. and abroad.
I continue to mentor masters and PhD students internationally, advise clergy and spiritual counselors from diverse faith traditions on creating LGBTQ Affirming spaces, and clinically supervise psychotherapists, mental health counselors, and sex educators. I have spoken at over 200 professional conferences.
I look forward to meeting you for a free 20-minute discover call! Let’s get started!
Rev. Deb Berman is a brilliant healer, mystic, spiritual leader, and relationship coach.
Barbara Carrellas, Urban Tantra
Rev. Dr. Deb Berman has an extraordinary presence that communicates openness and acceptance. Whether leading workshops, facilitating groups, or interacting one-on-one, she masterfully creates spaces of deep care and connection. These qualities are rivaled only by her abilities to inform and inspire others as a scholar and educator on topics related to sexuality. In my many years as a university professor and academic dean, I have experienced few, if any, people who possess her rare combination of gifts and talents.
Rev. Dr. Salome Raheim
1st Year Dean, One Spirit Interfaith Seminary
Professor Emeritus, University at Albany State University of New York
Dean Emeritus, University of Connecticut School of Social Work