DerShawn Matthews
Hi, I'm DerShawn! I'm a psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing virtual therapy for adults across Virginia. I have experience helping individuals navigate anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, and the stress that comes with balancing life's many responsibilities. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to move toward meaningful, lasting change.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity to create a space where you don't have to have all the answers. We'll explore what's bringing you to therapy, what's been weighing on you, and what you hope to gain from our work together. If you're feeling nervous or unsure, that's completely okay and understandable. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, understood, and supported, with greater clarity and hope for the journey ahead.
Strengths
My goal is for therapy to feel like a space where you can show up as yourself, whether you’re ready to dig into something difficult, need a moment to sit with what you’re feeling, or sometimes just need to laugh at the absurdity of being human. I believe there can be room for both depth and lightness in therapy. I’m not a therapist who will simply sit quietly and nod, but I’m also not here to push you before you’re ready. I’ll listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, notice patterns, and gently challenge you to look at things from a different angle when it feels helpful. I’m especially curious about what may be happening underneath the surface and how your experiences have shaped the way you see yourself, your relationships, and the world around you. My approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. You don’t have to have the “right” words or arrive knowing exactly what you want to work on. We can figure some of that out together.
Ideal clients
You may be someone who has spent a lot of time holding things together, figuring things out, or doing what needed to be done, but you’re starting to wonder what you need. Maybe you’re navigating a transition, feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, noticing familiar patterns in your relationships, or realizing that some of the ways you’ve learned to cope aren’t working quite as well anymore. You might come to therapy wanting to understand yourself more deeply, make sense of how your experiences have shaped you, or simply have a space to slow down and figure out what you’re feeling. You don’t need to have everything figured out or even know exactly where to begin. You just need some openness to getting curious about yourself and what you might want to be different.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
Sometimes we know what we’re doing but aren’t quite sure why we keep doing it. Together, we’ll get curious about the experiences, relationships, and patterns that have shaped you so you can better understand what’s showing up today and decide what you want to carry forward.
Humanistic
I believe you’re more than a diagnosis, a difficult season, or the things that have happened to you. I bring curiosity, honesty, support, and sometimes a little humor as we explore what matters to you and make space for you to be more fully yourself.
Brainspotting
Sometimes there are things we can’t quite put into words, even when we know they’re there. Brainspotting allows us to slow down, notice what your mind and body are holding onto, and give your brain space to process without needing to explain or make sense of everything along the way.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0904010794