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DB Portrait of Derek Bonds

Derek Bonds

Hope-focused counselor guiding practical change

LPC, LCPC Colorado

Experience
17 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English

About Derek

Derek Bonds is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 17 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and relationship concerns.

Background and approach

He brings experience from agency settings, schools, and college counseling, and has supported students and adults through life transitions, self-esteem and motivation challenges, and career-related struggles. His training includes work supervising graduate interns and leading an outpatient therapy department, along with teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology and counseling.

His style emphasizes respect, encouragement, and collaboration, grounded in approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Existential Therapy. Derek centers the client as the expert on their life while offering perspective, practical strategies, and space to explore meaning and purpose.

He often focuses on restoring hope as a catalyst for change and supports people dealing with issues like compassion fatigue, anger, loneliness, mood disorders, and life purpose concerns. Based in Colorado, he accepts international clients and offers sessions that adapt to each person’s needs and goals.

Derek invites prospective clients to connect and determine whether his collaborative, strengths-oriented approach fits their journey toward greater balance and well-being.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online care

CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and skills training, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and workplace stress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify values and practice psychological flexibility by using mindfulness and committed action to address avoidance and meaning-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, validation, and a collaborative relationship where the therapist creates a supportive space for clients to explore feelings and personal goals.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the therapeutic process, and this therapist works collaboratively with clients to match methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. That process may involve trying out techniques from different models and adjusting based on what proves most helpful in sessions.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people balancing work, school, caregiving, or geographic distance from Colorado. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and practice skills between appointments while fitting therapy into a busy life.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Derek help with?
Derek supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, self-esteem and career issues, compassion fatigue, anger, and coping with life changes. He also works with several focused areas such as DMDD, emptiness, forgiveness, loneliness, life purpose, men's issues, mood disorders, self-love, social anxiety, workplace issues, and young adult issues.
What is his therapeutic approach and style like?
He practices in a collaborative, respectful manner and draws on CBT, ACT, DBT, Client-Centered, and Existential approaches. Sessions typically blend practical skill-building with exploration of values and meaning to help clients move forward.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 17 years of experience working in mental health agencies, schools, and on a college campus, and has supervised interns and led an outpatient therapy department.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
He holds the credentials LPC and LCPC with licence details CO LPC LPC.0011730 and MT LCPC BBH-LCPC-LIC-72385, and is based in Colorado.
Does he provide services in languages other than English or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and he does accept international clients.
Which session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefAnger managementCareer difficulties

Additional focus areas

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessForgivenessIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMood disordersSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

17+ years

Licensed

Colorado, Montana

Languages

English