About Abena
Abena Derkyi is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with three years of professional experience. She focuses on helping people who are wrestling with trauma, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes. Abena emphasizes a strengths-based view and encourages clients to claim their role as the expert in their own story.
She offers straightforward support and clear guidance rather than jargon. Sessions aim to build confidence, manage strong emotions, and find practical steps forward.
Background and approach
She talks through coping strategies, motivation, and ways to reduce impulsive reactions. Abena also addresses concerns related to relationships, family stress, parenting strain, and challenges tied to adoption or foster care. Her practice includes support for people dealing with self-harm urges, guilt, shame, pregnancy and childbirth transitions, and issues linked to ADHD or disruptive mood patterns.
Her style is collaborative and respectful. She listens first, then helps shape goals that matter to each person. Progress is measured in small, concrete changes that fit daily life.
People who prefer clear direction and practical skills tend to fit well with her approach. She guides conversations toward habits, emotion regulation, and self-compassion. Abena helps clients move from feeling stuck toward manageable steps they can use between sessions.
Approaches that guide online work and practical support
Abena uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on emotion regulation and building coping skills. One common approach she emphasizes teaches concrete strategies for managing strong feelings and impulsive reactions; it helps people notice triggers, pause, and choose a different response. Another approach centers on strengthening self-esteem and motivation through small, achievable goals and regular reflection on personal strengths; this helps when depression or low confidence makes everyday tasks feel hard.Choosing the best approach is a team effort. She listens to the client’s goals and preferences, then suggests methods that match those needs. Over time she adjusts techniques based on what helps most, so the process stays collaborative and practical.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls allow fuller conversation and visual cues, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or messaging can fit shorter check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy days and different routines.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Anger management
Also listed
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Family conflicts
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Parenting issues
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Experience
- 3 years
- Licensed
- Ohio
- Languages
- English
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