About Sheryl
Sheryl Derby, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker based in Arizona with 22 years of experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University and a background in psychology and family studies. Sheryl aims to help people reduce stress and gain skills to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and other life challenges.
She uses a practical, straightforward approach in sessions. Sheryl looks for each person’s strengths and teaches coping skills that fit day-to-day life.
Background and approach
Her work often includes strategies for panic, mood shifts, grief, sleep problems, and managing anger. Sheryl combines client-centered principles with evidence-informed methods. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
She also uses dialectical behavior strategies and mindfulness to build emotion regulation and present-moment awareness. Her background includes work with veterans, people involved with child welfare systems, juveniles in the courts, and those who have experienced homelessness. That experience informs how she approaches trauma, relationship strain, and parenting concerns without assuming a one-size-fits-all plan.
Sessions focus on clear, achievable steps. Sheryl partners with clients to set goals and track progress. Outside work she enjoys yoga and caring for hospice and geriatric animals, which she says helps her model steady self-care for others.
Practical approaches for online anxiety and stress work
Sheryl uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people notice and change thought patterns that feed anxiety and low mood. That often means identifying specific thoughts, testing them, and practicing new responses that reduce panic and worry.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. These skills are useful when intense emotions or relationship strain make everyday life harder.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Sheryl collaborates with each person to choose strategies that match their goals, preferences, and daily routines. She checks in and adjusts methods when something isn’t helping.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls let people work face-to-face without travel. Phone sessions and live chat can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Text-based messaging supports ongoing, between-session touchpoints and practice of new skills. These options help people fit therapy into busy lives and keep progress moving forward.
Questions people ask
What kinds of problems can Sheryl help with?
What is her style in sessions?
How much experience does she have?
What are her credentials and where is she located?
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
What session formats does she offer?
How does cost work for sessions?
How do I begin working with her?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
Also listed
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Sleeping disorders
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 22 years
- Licensed
- Arizona
- Languages
- English
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