Abena Derkyi, LISW
Compassionate practical support for parents and individuals
Explore online therapy options- Years in practice
- 3
- Credentials
- LISW
- Licensed in
- Ohio
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Anger management
About Abena
Abena Derkyi is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with three years of practice in Ohio. She focuses on helping people manage trauma, grief, anger, low self-esteem, ADHD-related struggles, and major life changes. Abena approaches people with respect and believes they bring knowledge and strength to the work.
She helps clients name what feels overwhelming and then breaks problems into small, manageable steps. Sessions often focus on building confidence, improving motivation, and finding practical ways to cope with strong emotions.
Background and approach
Abena encourages people to notice strengths they already have and use them to move forward. Her background includes work supporting people through relationship strain, parenting concerns, adoption and foster care issues, and pregnancy or childbirth transitions. She also has experience addressing disruptive mood concerns, impulsivity, guilt, shame, and self-harm thoughts.
This range informs what she notices in assessment and how she plans treatment. In sessions she aims for a straightforward, supportive style. Conversations are collaborative and goal-oriented, and she helps clients try practical strategies between meetings.
Parents often seek help for managing day-to-day stress, setting boundaries, and repairing connection. Abena offers several remote formats so therapy can fit a busy life. She speaks English and practices in Ohio as an LISW.
The process begins with a brief intake to match goals and plan the next steps.
What Abena works with
Everything Abena lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Abena helps people with.
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- ADHD
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Adoption and foster care
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-harm
- Self-love
Approaches that guide remote care and parenting support
Abena uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to the issue at hand. One common approach focuses on practical coping skills - teaching concrete tools to manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behavior, and organize daily routines. This helps with anger, ADHD-related struggles, and immediate stressors.Another key approach emphasizes strengths and problem breaking - identifying personal resources and dividing big problems into small, achievable steps. That method supports people working through grief, low self-esteem, and life transitions by creating clear goals and tracking progress.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before, then recommend techniques to try together. Plans are adjusted over time based on what works for the client.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy parents and individuals. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, live chat is useful for quick check-ins, and text-based messaging supports ongoing reflection between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a hectic schedule and to keep momentum between sessions.
Questions people ask about Abena
What concerns can she help with?
She works with trauma and abuse, grief and loss, anger, low self-esteem, ADHD-related challenges, depression, parenting concerns, and coping with life changes.
What is her style in sessions?
Her approach is straightforward and supportive, focusing on small steps, practical strategies, and building on the client's existing strengths.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has three years of professional work experience as a licensed social worker in Ohio.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds the LISW credential and practices in Ohio.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What formats are available for appointments?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for online therapy.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
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