Derrel Drinnan, AASW

Derrel Drinnan is an AASW-registered social worker with more than 20 years of professional experience supporting people through transitional and challenging periods of life. Registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), she combines formal training with lived experience and a conviction that healing is possible at any stage. She works from a worldview informed by Christian values and a person-centred belief in each individual’s capacity to grow and change.

Her clinical focus includes stress, anxiety, grief and loss, motivation, self-esteem and confidence, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue. Derrel also offers support for issues such as abandonment, codependency, emptiness, forgiveness, guilt and shame, hospice and end-of-life counseling, life purpose, midlife crisis, financial concerns, self-love, and women’s issues. She draws on strengths-based and person-centred frameworks while integrating motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, trauma-informed practice, and emotional regulation strategies to tailor care to each person’s needs.

Derrel aims to create an open and respectful space where thoughts and feelings can be explored without judgment. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, helping people identify resources and practical steps forward. Those interested in starting a therapeutic journey are invited to reach out and see whether she is the right guide for their goals.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Support

Derrel integrates practical, evidence-informed methods into online care to help clients make meaningful changes. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative way of talking that helps people clarify their own reasons for change and build motivation - it can be useful for issues like low motivation, habit change, and navigating life transitions. A solution-focused approach concentrates on strengths and small, achievable steps toward preferred outcomes - it often helps with problem solving, confidence building, and short-term goals. Trauma-informed practice recognizes the impact of past distress and emphasizes emotional regulation strategies that teach tools for managing intense feelings and improving day-to-day coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Derrel works together with each person to determine which techniques best match their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative exploration allows adjustments over time so therapy feels relevant and effective.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging to provide flexibility and access for a range of lifestyles. These formats make it easier to connect from home or while balancing work and family, offering practical options for ongoing support with licensed professionals and therapists trained to adapt their methods to remote care.