Sheet 1
About Derrel
AASW social worker with 20 years' experience, Derrel Drinnan helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief and loss, low self-esteem, and life changes. She also focuses on compassion fatigue and issues such as abandonment, codependency, guilt and shame, and end-of-life concerns. Sessions are delivered in English from Australia.
Derrel uses a strengths-based, person-centred stance. She leans on motivational interviewing and solution-focused methods to help people notice what’s already working and build practical steps forward. Emotional regulation strategies and trauma-informed practice also feature in her work.
Derrel describes drawing on both professional training and life experience. She integrates those perspectives with a Christian worldview when relevant to clients. In sessions she encourages clear, straightforward conversation about feelings and choices.
People meet practical tools and conversational support. Expect short, manageable goals and techniques you can practise between sessions. The emphasis is on identifying personal resources and testing small changes rather than long theoretical discussion.
Her approach suits people who want a collaborative, skills-oriented process that also honours personal meaning and values. Before booking, confirm current session options so you know how meetings are arranged and scheduled.
Sheet 2
How evidence-based approaches are used in online therapy
Derrel integrates motivational interviewing and solution-focused approaches into her work. Motivational interviewing helps people clarify their reasons for change and build motivation through guided conversation. A solution-focused approach concentrates on small, practical steps and exceptions to problems, which can be useful for stress, low motivation and coping with life transitions.She also uses emotional regulation strategies and trauma-informed practice. Emotional regulation techniques teach simple ways to manage strong feelings between sessions. Trauma-informed practice means sessions pay attention to safety, pacing and the effects of past distress while working at a person's own speed. Finding the right mix of techniques is part of the process; she collaborates with each person to try approaches and adjust them based on needs, goals and preferences.
Confirm current session formats before booking so you know how meetings are held. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. If a quieter setting, less bandwidth use, or a briefer appointment would help, discuss those options when you schedule to find a suitable arrangement.
Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief and loss, self-esteem, coping with life changes and compassion fatigue, plus related issues such as abandonment, codependency, guilt and shame.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a strengths-based, person-centred stance supported by motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, trauma-informed practice and emotional regulation strategies.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional experience working with people in a range of life circumstances.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an AASW social worker and practises from Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside Australia book sessions?
International clients are not currently accepted; bookings are for clients within Australia.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.