Derek Smith

ACSWACSW(He/Him/His)

ACSW #122876

Associate Clinical Social Worker, supervised by Yessenia Aguirre, LCSW # 116709

Need Support?
Our Care Coordinators can assist you.

Call us at: 760.500.3325

E-mail us at: [email protected]

About

My name is Derek Smith and I’m an Associate Clinical Social Worker and Therapist. I have more than eight years of experience supporting people across a wide range of life experiences.

Much of my work has centered on supporting people through difficult transitions and periods of change. I have worked in community organizations, outpatient therapy, youth programs, and international settings. All of these experiences have shaped how I understand mental health and healing. Inclusivity, acknowledging systems of harm, and intersectionality matter to me. While each person and situation is unique, I have consistently found that people often need a space where they can feel safe enough to be honest, understood, and supported as they navigate what comes next.


I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults navigating questions about identity, relationships, self-worth, anxiety, burnout, life direction, and the many changes that can shape our lives. I have a particular interest in working with young adults and people navigating the transition into adulthood, though I work with adults at all stages of life.


My approach is collaborative, relational, and trauma-informed. I believe therapy is not
about telling you who to be or giving you a formula for how to live your life. Instead, I see it as a space to slow down, better understand yourself, and explore what matters to you. Together, we can explore what you’re experiencing in a way that feels right for you. You don’t have to arrive with a clear plan, we will start wherever you are. My work helps clients reconnect with themselves, their bodies, and the communities that give their lives meaning. I am passionate about creating a space where people can better understand their inner experiences, make sense of what they are going through, and move toward a deeper sense of connection and belonging.


Specializes In

Client Concerns

  • ADHD
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Body Image
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Kink Allied
  • LGBTQ+ Affirming
  • Men's Issues
  • Open Relationships/Non-Monogamy
  • Racial Identity
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self Esteem
  • Self-Harming
  • Sex-Positive
  • Spirituality
  • Sports Performance
  • Stress
  • Substance Use
  • Trauma and PTSD

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT
  • Attachment-based
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Emotionally Focused
  • Existential
  • Humanistic
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • mindfulness
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Multicultural
  • Person-Centered
  • Psychodynamic
  • Relational
  • Somatic
  • Strength-Based
  • Trauma Focused

Works With

Types of Services

  • Family Therapy
  • Individual Therapy
  • Teen Therapy

Ages Worked With

  • Adults
  • Elderly
  • Teens

Languages

  • English