Licensed to practice in Louisiana and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Trauma and PTSD and 3 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I’m Dr. Evelyn Derry, a licensed professional counselor with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. I specialize in working with clients who are navigating trauma, grief, and the deep emotional impact that follows life‑altering experiences. My approach is grounded in trauma‑informed, evidence‑based care, and I strive to create a safe, steady space where clients can process their stories without judgment. I am passionate about helping individuals rebuild a sense of stability, reconnect with their strengths, and move toward healing at a pace that feels right for them. Whether someone is coping with loss, recovering from traumatic events, or working through long‑standing emotional pain, I walk alongside them with compassion, clinical expertise, and genuine respect for their resilience.
The first session is designed to give you a sense of comfort, clarity, and control. My goal is to create a calm, welcoming space where you can settle in, breathe, and begin sharing at a pace that feels right for you. Many clients come in carrying trauma, grief, or long‑standing emotional pain, and I want you to know from the start that you will not be rushed, judged, or pressured. During this initial meeting, we walk through a gentle assessment process that helps me understand your story, your strengths, and the challenges you’ve been navigating. This includes exploring what brought you to therapy, any significant life events or losses, and how these experiences are affecting you today. The assessment is conversational and collaborative—you’re always in the driver’s seat, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. We also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy and begin identifying goals that feel meaningful and achievable. By the end of the session, most clients feel a sense of relief knowing they have a clear path forward and a therapist who is fully present with them. My aim is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and confident that you’re in a safe place to begin healing.
In our sessions, I bring a calm, steady presence that helps people feel grounded, even when they’re sharing difficult parts of their story. I genuinely enjoy helping clients move through trauma and grief, and I work hard to create a space where you can exhale, feel safe, and know you’re not navigating this alone. I’m comfortable sitting with big emotions, and I’m skilled at gently guiding clients toward insight, healing, and meaningful change. My goal is to help you feel more in control, more understood, and more at peace one step at a time, at a pace that feels right for you.
My ideal client is ready to engage in the therapeutic process with openness and a desire for meaningful change. They may be navigating trauma, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, relationship challenges, or major life transitions. They value a collaborative approach and appreciate clear guidance, practical skills, and compassionate support. They come with a willingness to reflect, practice new strategies, and take an active role in their healing. Even if their goals are still forming, they are motivated to grow, open to feedback, and committed to showing up consistently. Ultimately, my ideal client is someone who believes change is possible and is ready to partner together toward healthier functioning, stronger coping, and a more grounded sense of self.
My Treatment Approach Using DBT I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in a way that feels practical, supportive, and easy to apply to real life. DBT is especially helpful for clients working through trauma, grief, anxiety, or intense emotions because it teaches skills that bring steadiness back into daily life. In our work together, we focus on four core areas: learning to regulate overwhelming emotions, building healthier coping strategies, improving relationships and communication, and developing mindfulness so you can stay grounded instead of getting pulled into distress. I introduce DBT skills gently and at your pace—things like grounding techniques, distress‑tolerance tools, and ways to reframe unhelpful thoughts. We practice these skills together so you feel confident using them outside of session. My goal is to help you feel more in control, more centered, and more equipped to navigate whatever comes your way. DBT gives us a structured path forward, but the work is always personalized to your story and what you need most.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the primary methods I use to help clients understand and change patterns that contribute to distress. Clinically, CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Many clients experiencing trauma, grief, or anxiety find themselves caught in automatic thoughts that intensify emotional pain. CBT provides a structured, evidence‑based way to identify these patterns and replace them with more balanced, adaptive ways of thinking. In our work together, we examine the beliefs and interpretations that arise during difficult moments and explore how those thoughts influence emotional and behavioral responses. I guide clients through cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and skill‑building strategies that support healthier coping and improved functioning. Sessions are collaborative and paced according to your comfort level, with a focus on developing practical tools you can use outside of therapy. My goal is to help you gain insight, strengthen emotional regulation, and build confidence in your ability to navigate challenges. CBT offers a clear, clinically grounded framework for change, and I tailor the approach to your unique history, needs, and therapeutic goals.