Derek Kee-Haynes

Derek Kee-Haynes is a Florida licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with eight years of professional experience. He works with adults who are dealing with addictions, depression, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and LGBT concerns. He also supports people facing life purpose questions and related challenges like codependency or chronic illness.

Derek views clients as the experts in their own stories and focuses on practical steps people can take. Sessions tend to be straightforward and focused on identifying strengths and barriers. He talks through patterns that keep someone stuck and looks for small, doable changes that can reduce distress.

In sessions he pays attention to how past hurts and relationship dynamics show up now. He addresses issues such as abandonment, communication problems, control struggles, and guilt or shame alongside mood and substance concerns. He also works with matters linked to HIV/AIDS and multicultural stressors.

Derek combines active listening with concrete strategies to help people manage symptoms and make decisions. He encourages clients to notice what is already working and to build on those pieces. The aim is to create clearer steps when someone feels uncertain about what to do next.

People who contact him should expect a pragmatic, person-centered approach that foregrounds their goals. He asks about safety and daily functioning, and then shapes sessions around immediate needs and longer-term questions about direction and purpose.

Approaches used and how online sessions work

Evidence-based techniques are used to address mood, trauma, and addictive behaviors. One approach focuses on skill-building for emotional regulation and coping; it teaches practical ways to manage strong feelings and reduce impulsive reactions. Another approach examines patterns in relationships and self-talk to improve communication and self-esteem; this helps people notice recurring dynamics and try new responses.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Derek collaborates with each person to decide what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. He will try interventions, check what helps, and adjust the approach if needed so the plan stays relevant to current concerns.

The practical benefits of meeting online include easier scheduling and the ability to fit sessions into a busy week. Because the biography does not list specific session formats, confirm the available options before booking. Online meetings can make it simpler to have regular check-ins, shorter follow-ups, or sessions during a break at work without needing extra travel time.