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mensmentalhealth.ca
Why book with Derrick
Derrick is a Registered Psychologist, speaker, and published author who has been a trusted public voice in Calgary for over 20 years. He brings something unique to audiences: real clinical depth combined with lived experience, paired with the ability to make complex emotional and relational topics land for a room — practical, honest, and genuinely useful, not just inspiring. He speaks on men's mental health, relationships, communication, identity, and human connection, in keynotes, workshops, lunch and learns, panels, and event hosting. His presentations are thoughtful, lively, and built to leave people with something they can actually use.
PSYCHOLOGIST & FACILITATOR
Registered Psychologist with extensive counselling, facilitation, and educational experience. His organizational services have included public speaking, keynote delivery, group facilitation and training, university-level instruction, and program development.
EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SPEAKER
Derrick has delivered keynotes, workshops, and presentations for schools, colleges, government, nonprofits, professional organizations, and men's events, including the University of Calgary, Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, the Canadian Border Services Agency, Canada Revenue Agency, Calgary Public School Board, Canadian Cancer Society, and the Human Resources Association of Calgary.
PUBLIC-FACING & MEDIA EXPERIENCED
Derrick has appeared on Global National, CBC Radio One, Global News, CTV, and other media outlets, and in 2026 was interviewed for a Calgary Herald feature, “The Silent Struggle of Working Men,” which appeared across print and online outlets in Alberta. He is also a published author and is currently working on a new book, The Scribe.
EVENT HOST & COMMUNITY PRESENCE
Derrick has repeat, co-hosted the Black Gold/Obsidian Awards in Alberta, served as a guest emcee for fundraising galas, and brings an engaging presence, sense of humour, and lightheartedness to event hosting and emcee work.
Speaking Formats
Keynotes
A strong fit for conferences, events, organizational gatherings, and audiences who need a thoughtful, memorable opening or anchor talk.
Workshops
In-depth and practical sessions designed to help participants understand key ideas, reflect, and leave with tools they can apply.
Lunch and Learns
Shorter, accessible presentations for workplaces, schools, and organizations looking for practical insight in a compact format.
Panel Discussions
A thoughtful contributor for moderated conversations on men's mental health, relationships, identity, communication, and social issues.
Event Hosting / Emcee Work
Available for select events that need an engaging host who can bring professionalism, humour, lightheartedness, and presence to the room.
Signature
Topics
Relationships, Communication, Separation & Divorce
Why closeness can feel uncomfortable, how family history shapes relational patterns, how to interrupt cycles of conflict, and why empathy matters — for people working through everyday relationship strain, communication breakdowns, or separation and divorce.
Drawing on years of leading journalling workshops and the ideas behind his book, The Scribe, Derrick guides audiences through the practice of expressive and handwritten reflection. Research shows this kind of writing does real work in the body and brain — helping to regulate the nervous system, easing stress reactivity, sharpening memory, and surfacing emotions that are hard to see from the inside. Practical, grounded, and personal. This is also the foundation of the 30-Day Men's Journalling Challenge, available on MensMentalHealth.ca.
Journalling, Reflection, & Therapeutic Writing
