Derek is a western trained psychotherapist who holds a masters degree in psychology, and an honors science degree. He has also done extensive training in Eastern Philosophy and holds a diploma in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Derek spent 10 years as a resident therapist at Bellwood Health Services, an in-patient hospital for addictions where he provided group therapy, individual therapy, family counselling and psycho-educational workshops.

Since 2004 Derek has been in private practice providing the same services as well as developing a comprehensive Stress and Anger Management program servicing the greater community as well as referrals from numerous marriage/couples counsellors, addictions services, Canadian Military, RCMP and local police forces.

In his practice Derek combines Western practices of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy with Eastern practices of Mindfulness, Breathing, Buddhist and Taoist Psychology.