Meet Derek Prins | Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek Prins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek, what matters most to you?
I would say that “connection” has been a driving principle of my life and is a central theme in new speaking ventures that I am stepping into. We are all created to be in relationship with God and with others – it’s how we grow, it’s how we change, it’s how we regulate our whole beings – spirit, soul and body. From the moment we are first born, our bodies and brains learn to experience peace, love and stability through the healthy attaching (connecting) to our caregivers – it’s what brings regulation. As we age and mature, we extend those connections to the community and people around us. Whether introverted or extroverted, we are all wired for it. As an extrovert, I can recognize how my connections and attachments with the many people in my life continue to bring those same reassuring moments and feelings in my own life. Through faith and friendship, those results, in turn, develop and maintain a sense of resilience that I can regularly draw upon in these head-spinning, often overwhelming and turbulent times.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and professional speaker for the last 20-plus years, though I joke I have been helping, teaching and befriending people my whole life. I have a passion to see people walk in healing and freedom from things that have hurt them or hold them back. Building a practice and being invited into people’s lives takes a lot of time, trust and connection. Affording people the opportunity to be seen and heard is a gift, and being able then to speak into their life and situation is an honor. What I believe sets me apart is just that, the ability to see the whole person, spirit, soul and body – and then to bring psychology and faith together in a way that allows the person to walk into more of the wholeness they were designed and created to walk in. And my growing passion is to be able to help more than individuals walk this, speaking and sharing in groups and classes and organizations – talks and tools on issues that impact us as humans: resilience, anxiety, grief, faith, and myriads of other topics. What I have learned along the way is that deep down we all have the same longing, to be seen, to be known, to be loved, first from our Creator and secondly and just as importantly, from each other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would absolutely take them inside the Loop and would include as many foody places as possible! We would start at any number of great breakfast nooks, maybe Baby Barnaby’s to start. From there it would be off to any one of our great museums – maybe Fine Arts first. Over the course of the week we would hit The Zoo, Memorial Park, 19th street in the Heights, the Holocaust Museum as well. We would eat at Kenny & Ziggy’s, the Hobbit Hole Cafe. We would drive through Downtown and hit the Specs in Midtown. We would walk Buffalo Bayou and if it were March, drive and see all the azaleas. No trip would be complete without one or more stops to Chuy’s. As an offsite trip (and closer to home) we would go to Arbor Gate in Tomball and eat at Tejas Barbeque or Every-Belly’s. If it were Christmas, we would have to drive River Oaks and take in all the lights!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to say the main person is my wife, Lisa. Without her belief in me a shared vision I would not be the person I am today. I would also “shout back” to Chad Beck who first shouted me out. His encouragement and example have helped propel me forward.

Other: I am in the process of launching a YouTube and Instagram presence. I have domains and am currently recording content to be released in the coming weeks. In the meantime, my email address is derektalksrocks@gmail.com

Image Credits
Derek Prins
Lisa Prins