Therapist profile
Derek Bakay, LMHC
LMHC in New York - Family and parenting concerns
Continue with DerekAbout
- Client-centered
- Cognitive behavioral
- Solution-focused
About Derek
Derek Bakay is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York with 15 years of clinical experience. He works with adults dealing with depression, stress, anxiety, parenting strain, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and career or life-change issues.
Derek uses a client-centered stance combined with practical, evidence-informed methods. Sessions focus on clear problems and workable steps. He listens to what matters to the person and then helps shape strategies that fit daily life.
He commonly draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thinking and try different actions. He also uses solution-focused techniques to identify strengths and quick steps that make a difference between sessions. The client-centered element keeps the work grounded in each person’s priorities.
Derek has experience supporting people facing caregiver stress, blended family tensions, fatherhood concerns, chronic illness or disability, and challenges around midlife and life purpose. He also helps with communication and control issues that come up at home and at work.
Sessions tend to be practical and conversational. People can expect straightforward discussion, planning, and homework when that helps. Derek aims to help adults notice small changes that add up to better coping and clearer decisions.
How sessions work
How Derek's approaches work for online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s experience and priorities. In practice that means the therapist listens closely, reflects what matters, and asks questions that help the client clarify goals and options. This approach supports adults deciding how to handle parenting strain, relationship tensions, or life changes.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It helps people spot unhelpful thinking patterns and try specific experiments that change mood and behavior. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress, and work-related problems.
Solution-focused therapy concentrates on small, concrete steps that move a situation forward. It helps identify existing strengths and build simple plans to address day-to-day challenges like communication problems or time for self and family.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That choice can change over time as needs evolve.
Confirm the current session options before booking, since formats are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days by removing travel and allowing shorter check-ins when useful. They also allow work to continue when schedules or caregiving demands make in-person visits difficult. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT exercises, client-centered discussion, and solution-focused tasks to the online setting so the work stays practical and focused.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which kinds of problems does he work with?
He helps adults with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, parenting strain, career issues, and coping with life changes.
What is his therapeutic style?
He combines a client-centered approach with cognitive behavioral and solution-focused techniques. Sessions are conversational and focus on practical steps.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 15 years of professional experience working with adults in clinical settings.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LMHC licensed in New York and practices from that state.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the profile.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.