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SD Portrait of Sheryl Derby

Sheryl Derby

Compassionate LCSW blending practical skills and strengths

LCSW Arizona

Experience
22 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Sheryl

About Sheryl

Sheryl Derby is an LCSW with a 22-year career in social work and clinical practice in Arizona. She holds a master's degree in social work with a child welfare emphasis from Arizona State University and built a background that includes direct work with children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Background and approach

Over two decades she has focused on concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, and relationship and family dynamics, alongside areas like grief, anger, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Her therapeutic style blends evidence-informed methods and a strengths-oriented approach, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered, dialectical behavior, mindfulness, and motivational strategies as appropriate.

She emphasizes identifying a person’s existing strengths and teaching practical coping skills tailored to each client’s needs. Outside of work she values self-care through yoga and time with her basset hounds, and she volunteers with geriatric and hospice animals.

Sheryl aims to support clients in clarifying goals and developing skills that promote greater calm, clearer communication, and improved daily functioning. She frames therapy as a collaborative process focused on workable tools and steady progress toward the client’s priorities.

Practical approaches for online growth and coping



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns by teaching concrete skills for managing symptoms like anxiety, depression, panic, and sleep problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaboration so the client’s goals and experiences guide the pace and focus of work. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers strategies for regulating emotions, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for intense mood swings, anger, and relationship challenges.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist and client explore goals, preferences, and everyday needs to select and adapt methods that fit the person’s life. Techniques may be blended over time so the plan evolves with progress and changing priorities.

Online sessions offer flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to access support from home or work. These formats allow licensed professionals to deliver skills training, coaching on coping strategies, and supportive conversations in ways that match each client’s lifestyle and comfort level.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting and relationship difficulties, grief, mood disorders, ADHD, and sleep and anger-related concerns.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her approach is eclectic and client-centered, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, narrative techniques, and motivational interviewing to match interventions to each person’s needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 22 years of experience in social work and clinical practice, including years of working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and specific populations such as veterans and families involved in child welfare.
What credentials and location does she hold?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Arizona with the credential AZ LCSW LCSW-10895 and practices in Arizona.
Does she speak other languages or accept international clients?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time and pricing depends on those factors.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stress

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

Arizona

Languages

English