I am passionate about helping others brave life’s challenges by feeling and becoming strong in mind and spirit. I deeply enjoy working with people as they overcome a range of mental health issues, including past trauma, anxiety, depression, dissociation, postpartum health issues, and many more.

In the counseling session, I work to balance the science of the mind with a laid-back style, putting you in the driver’s seat of your health while offering tools to help you feel most equipped to handle the array of challenges you may be facing.  I enjoy adapting my counseling style to your needs, adjusting as you grow in wellness.

I am a Jesus-follower, which inevitably affects my worldview and some of how I approach the counseling space.  Namely, I bring with me a belief that every human is deeply loved, valued, and worthy.  I do enjoy working with those of all belief systems, and respect whatever level of spirituality you feel comfortable with involving in your sessions.

Life is hard. There are constant experiences, feelings, hopes, dreams, successes, failures, and thoughts to navigate and process. Sometimes we do okay navigating life without extra help, other times we need a safe space and fresh perspective to learn, grow and heal. I am always deeply honored when someone trusts me to create that space and walk alongside them in their journey to understand themselves and the world around them. I believe that you are the expert concerning your life, and my job is to collaborate with you to help you achieve your goals.

I enjoy working with people of all ages, life stages, backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. I have experience working with clients who have a wide variety of mental health concerns and am a trauma informed practitioner. I am also trained in Neuro Emotional Technique and enjoy incorporating art into the therapeutic experience when relevant.

I deeply respect the courage it takes to seek counseling and consider it a privilege to walk alongside my clients on their journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery. I primarily work with women, couples, college students, children, and adolescents, offering support through a wide range of life experiences, including trauma, abuse, recovery, anxiety, childhood challenges, coping with grief and loss, pregnancy, and more.

I am committed to providing a safe and compassionate space where you can explore and process difficult emotions while building the resilience and skills needed to move forward. Should you desire, I am more than happy to incorporate your faith into our work, tailoring my approach to honor your values and beliefs.

My hope is that your counseling experience will be one of deep transformation—an opportunity to unravel, grow, and ultimately heal in a meaningful and lasting way.

We are excited to announce that Derek has officially launched his own practice! To see more about Derek, check out his new practice website:

firstthingsjax.com