Derrell Tidwell, LCSW, LICSW

Derrell Tidwell is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 42 years of practice. He brings a calm, respectful presence and focuses on helping people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and LGBTQ concerns. He centers each session on the person's own strengths and life story.

Derrell uses clear, practical conversations to help people find more clarity. He encourages clients to notice and use the skills they already have. That might mean working on communication, coping with life changes, or managing panic and anxiety in day-to-day moments.

His work also addresses family friction and relationship problems while paying attention to cultural background and the specific pressures faced by people of color. He supports caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed and people dealing with shame, guilt, or isolation. Derrell also helps with issues like codependency, control struggles, and navigating separation or divorce.

His approach draws on client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, psychodynamic ideas, solution-focused tools, and trauma-focused methods. In practice this looks like listening first, then trying small, practical steps together, and reflecting on patterns that matter.

Derrell aims to make therapy feel manageable and goal-oriented. He works to help each person use their own “natural toolbox” to meet challenges and move toward clearer choices.

How his therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Derrell uses client-centered work to put the person's experience first, focusing on listening, validation, and building on strengths to face everyday difficulties. That approach helps when someone needs a steady, respectful listener and practical guidance for personal concerns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and try small, testable changes. CBT can be useful for anxiety, panic, depression, and coping with life transitions because it breaks problems into clear steps and tools.

Trauma-focused methods are applied when past events are affecting present functioning. This involves careful pacing, attention to safety, and working through memories or triggers in ways that fit the person's readiness.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and needs and help choose which methods to try. Sessions are collaborative and adjusted over time based on what helps most.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make scheduling easier and help fit appointments into a busy life by reducing travel and allowing shorter or more focused check-ins when needed. Talk with the clinician about practical needs like session length and timing to make therapy work for everyday routines.