Dr. Derek Hopson

Dr. Derek Hopson is a Florida psychologist with four decades of experience helping people navigate major life transitions and ongoing stress. He supports those coping with anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, trauma, and relationship or intimacy concerns. He also addresses parenting strain, compassion fatigue, and the shifting demands of midlife and aging.

He brings a direct but warm style to sessions. He listens first, then helps people clarify practical goals they can work toward. His work draws on approaches that focus on values, changing unhelpful thoughts, and building mindful habits. Sessions are collaborative and paced to fit each person’s needs.

Dr. Hopson has practiced in hospital, clinic, and private settings in Connecticut and Florida. That background informs a flexible way of working with people across many stages of life and levels of challenge. He pays attention to cultural background and how life experience shapes choices.

He often combines Acceptance and Commitment ideas, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and client-centered listening to address symptoms and everyday functioning. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies are used when people want short-term, goal-oriented work. The focus is on steps people can try between sessions.

People who want straightforward guidance and steady support may find his approach helpful. He describes himself as caring, engaging, and respectful, and aims to help clients make changes that feel sustainable over time.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small actions that line up with those values. It can help people who feel stuck during big life transitions or who struggle with persistent worry. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and mood shifts. Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and building a trusting relationship so people can explore their own solutions and feel understood.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together they adjust methods over time, trying different techniques until a good fit emerges.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also let people use mindfulness exercises or homework assignments between meetings so progress continues outside sessions.