Licensed to practice in California and accepts 15 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Chronic Illness, Depression and 8 more.

Derek Thomas

(he/him)

LCSW, 5 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

About me

Hello! I am looking forward to meeting with you! I am a provider who utilizes solution-focused, mindfulness and specialized practices to help others address challenges and create a more balanced life. I am drawn to both rational and holistic practices, but it really starts with your goals and preferences. At 19-years old, I was involved in a traumatic motor vehicle accident and spent several years recovering- both physically and emotionally. This experience has led me toward the field of counseling and wanting to work directly with people needing support and guidance. I completed my undergraduate degree at University of California, San Diego with specialization in Clinical Psychology. After graduation, I volunteered for an equine therapy program and provided therapy services for children with Autism. After several years, I decided to pursue a Masters in Social Work at California State University San Marcos. I have worked in medical, psychiatric, educational and research settings and have found it valuable to provide services to different types of communities. I am glad that you have considered reaching out for therapy- it's a big step. I hope to be a part of your journey.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

We are a reflection of our relationships, environment, history, and biology. Our first appointment is intended to be informative but also stress-free so I may ask questions about your history and symptoms. I would like to take time to gather insight into what is causing you distress and how it is impacting your life. The goal is to create a clear picture of where you are at currently and to formulate a plan for addressing your concerns. I will provide general logistics and rules. Together, we will determine if our plan is best suited for your needs.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I have a genuine and thoughtful approach. It is important to provide a space that is comfortable, reassuring and centered on your needs. It is important to me that you feel heard, empowered and develop confidence in addressing your problems. I will check-in to make sure that you feel a sense of growth and are developing new skills, strategies, or perspectives to adjust to your current situation.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Needing guidance and support in adjusting to relationship stressors, depression, anxiety, and health changes/chronic illness. Currently navigating a big life transition or managing relationship and family conflict that has been overwhelming. Looking for a healthy way to process or cope with stress. Interested in building stronger self-awareness and wanting to create a plan to meet long-term goals and aspirations. Find yourself feeling stuck and needing additional support.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

Grief

Health/Medical Issues

Trauma and PTSD

Identifies as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Diving deeper to understand unhelpful or distressing thought patterns with the goal of developing a healthier perspective to manage stress. Re-frame thought patterns that are not serving you or promoting growth.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Share knowledge and insight on mindfulness-based skills to live a more present-centered and grounded life. Discuss strategies to help re-center yourself during moments of stress. Cultivate a more intentional and thoughtful way to navigate the world around you.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

Goal-oriented process to address pressing concerns or break down complex problems into more manageable steps. Creating a specific, tangible plan to address goals.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.