Abena Derkyi, LISW

Abena Derkyi is a licensed professional in Ohio with three years of clinical experience supporting people through trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. As an LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker), she brings practical, compassion-focused work to clients coping with depression, low self-esteem, anger, ADHD-related challenges, and parenting or family concerns. Her practice also addresses adoption and foster care issues, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, impulsivity, pregnancy and childbirth concerns, and feelings of guilt, shame, or self-harm.

She approaches each person as the expert of their own story and looks for strengths that can be used to navigate difficult moments and build greater confidence. Abena provides guidance for managing emotions, improving motivation, and developing skills for healthier relationships while respecting each client’s pace and goals. Taking the step to seek a more fulfilling and happier life is framed as a courageous decision, and she offers steady support throughout that process. Her work emphasizes practical tools and collaborative goal setting to help clients move toward lasting change.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Trauma and Emotion Regulation

Abena uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to trauma and abuse, focusing on helping clients process painful experiences and reduce their ongoing impact. These trauma-focused methods guide clients through understanding reactions, building coping strategies, and restoring a sense of safety and control.

She also employs skills-based work for emotion regulation, anger management, and impulsivity, teaching practical tools to manage intense feelings, attention challenges, and relationship tensions. For grief and life changes, she offers supportive interventions that help people make meaning of loss and find new routines and sources of motivation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Abena works with each client to identify goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, adjusting techniques over time so treatment fits the individual’s needs and circumstances.

Online therapy with Abena is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which makes scheduling more flexible and accessible for people with busy lives or limited local options. These options allow licensed professionals to provide consistent care without requiring travel, letting clients engage in therapy from settings that work best for them.