Derrell Tidwell, LCSW, LICSW

Derrell Tidwell is a licensed clinical social worker with 42 years of professional experience, practicing in both California and Washington. He holds the credentials LCSW and LICSW, which indicate his qualification as a licensed clinical social worker in those states. Over four decades of practice have given him a broad base of experience supporting people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, eating and self-esteem concerns, relationship and family conflicts, and life transitions.

He places particular emphasis on serving LGBTQ clients and people of color, and he approaches each person with the belief that they are the expert on their own story. He helps people identify and use strengths from their own “natural toolbox” to gain clarity and make practical changes. His work addresses additional concerns such as abandonment, caregiver stress, codependency, communication and control issues, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, impulsivity, isolation, midlife questions, multicultural issues, panic symptoms, and personality challenges.

Derrell blends client-centered methods with targeted strategies from cognitive behavioral and trauma-focused approaches to tailor treatment to each person’s needs. He aims to create clear, actionable steps that align with a client’s goals and preferences while honoring their lived experience. He maintains regular hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 1 PM; as of March 2026 his only current openings are on Thursday mornings. If his schedule does not match a person’s availability, he encourages initiating a request for therapist change through the account menu. Taking the first step to seek help requires courage, and he acknowledges and supports that effort as clients begin their work.