Derek Bakay

Derek Bakay is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in New York. He takes a warm, interactive approach that centers on each person’s experience. He treats people with respect and compassion and aims to tailor conversations and plans to individual needs.

With 15 years of clinical experience, Derek focuses on everyday problems like stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. He also supports people facing career challenges, compassion fatigue, and relationship or intimacy-related concerns. Intellectual disability and caregiver stress are listed among his additional focus areas.

Derek blends client-centered listening with practical strategies from cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused work. Sessions typically involve identifying current problems, trying small changes, and building on what already works for the person. He avoids stigmatizing labels and emphasizes strengths.

People who work with Derek can expect a collaborative process. He helps set clear goals and adjusts methods based on progress and feedback. Conversations are paced to the individual and meant to feel manageable for someone juggling daily responsibilities.

The path forward usually begins with clarifying what matters most, then testing brief, actionable steps. Over time those steps are refined into a longer-range plan that supports better coping and clearer direction. Derek encourages realistic goals and steady progress rather than quick fixes.

How Derek’s approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building understanding. The therapist follows the person’s lead, reflects what is important, and helps people clarify goals. This approach is helpful for stress, low mood, and situations that need steady emotional support.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. Sessions usually include practical exercises and small experiments to try between meetings. CBT is often useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.

Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on short-term, goal-oriented steps. It helps identify what is already working and expands those patterns. This can be useful when someone wants clearer direction or faster practical changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Derek will talk with each person about their needs and goals and help choose which methods fit best. The process is collaborative and adjustments are made as progress is reviewed.

For practical matters, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also let people try focused skill practice between meetings and move at a pace that fits their daily life.