Derek Kee-Haynes, LCSW

Derek Kee-Haynes, LCSW, helps people who are navigating addiction, depression, trauma, and struggles with self-esteem. He works with issues related to LGBT identity, substance use, and mood disorders. His approach aims to help clients take practical steps toward feeling more in control and more hopeful.

Derek frames each session around the client’s story. He starts by listening and identifying strengths the client already has. Sessions focus on concrete goals, coping strategies, and clearer communication. He invites clients to move at a manageable pace while addressing painful experiences and patterns that keep problems cycling.

Over eight years of practice he has supported people facing substance use, trauma and abuse, and concerns tied to chronic illness, shame, or codependency. He also offers help with issues such as infidelity, control struggles, and life purpose when these come up in therapy. His work includes attention to multicultural and LGBT concerns.

Derek values practical tools and steady progress. He encourages clients to try small changes between sessions and to reflect on what helps. The focus is on skills that can be used in daily life to reduce distress and build resilience.

People who start therapy with Derek can expect straightforward conversation and a focus on real-world steps. He helps clients set clear goals and checks in on what is working. If you are unsure whether therapy is right now, he supports taking the first step and seeing how the process unfolds.

Evidence-based techniques for addiction and mood work

Many clients benefit from approaches that focus on practical skills and real-life change. One common method helps people build coping skills and routines to reduce substance use and manage cravings; it teaches specific strategies to interrupt unhelpful patterns and replace them with healthier responses. Another useful approach focuses on processing trauma and painful memories in a paced way so those experiences have less power over daily thoughts and behavior and mood symptoms can settle.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Derek treats the choice of method as a collaboration. He will talk with each person about goals, life demands, and what feels doable, then tailor techniques to match those needs and preferences.

The practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Because the biography does not list specific session formats, confirm the current options before booking so you know what to expect. Many people find that remote sessions make it easier to keep regular appointments and apply new skills between meetings, which supports steady progress over time.