- Life purpose exploration
- Anxiety and depression
- Acceptance and commitment
About Derek
Derek Bonds is an LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, and an LCPC with 17 years of clinical experience based in Colorado. He works with adults who are stressed, anxious, depressed, or struggling with low self-esteem. He also helps people coping with life changes, grief, workplace strain, relationship tension, trauma and abuse, and those searching for a clearer sense of life purpose.
Derek draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, existential ideas, and client-centered methods. In sessions he listens for what matters most to each person and offers down-to-earth feedback. He uses practical tools to manage symptoms and also pays attention to meaning and values when people feel directionless.
His background includes a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University - Billings. He has worked in schools, on a college campus, and at several mental health agencies. He has taught undergraduate and graduate psychology and counseling courses and has supervised graduate interns working toward licensure.
Typical work involves talking through current struggles, trying specific skills to reduce distress, and reviewing what those skills mean for everyday choices. Derek frames hope as an active part of therapy and focuses on small changes that can shift mood and motivation. He invites people to explore options for next steps without promising a fixed outcome.
People often come for help with career decisions, loneliness, anger, compassion fatigue, or issues common in young adulthood. Sessions aim to blend symptom-focused strategies with conversations about values and purpose, so practical steps line up with what matters to the client.
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and choosing actions based on personal values. It helps when someone feels stuck or unclear about what matters and wants to take small value-driven steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks down unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches practical strategies to reduce anxiety and depression. It is useful for symptom relief and building concrete coping skills.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about symptoms, goals, and preferences and then try methods that match those needs. This is a collaborative process where techniques can be adjusted over time based on what helps most.
The original biography did not list specific session formats, so please confirm available online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. These practical benefits can help people maintain consistency and apply skills between meetings without promising a particular outcome.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Colorado, Montana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, trauma and life transitions, and also supports people exploring life purpose and career questions.
How does he approach feeling stuck?
He uses client-centered conversation alongside practical skills from ACT, CBT, and DBT to reduce distress and clarify values. Sessions combine symptom management with discussion about meaning and next steps.
What is his clinical background?
He holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and has 17 years of experience in schools, college counseling, and community mental health settings, plus teaching and supervision roles.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is an LPC and an LCPC licensed in Colorado and practices from that state.
Can I work with him if I live outside the United States?
He accepts international clients and offers sessions in English.
What session formats are offered?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.