PuttingFamilyFirst

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DB Portrait of Derek Bakay
Online therapist

Derek Bakay

Compassionate, practical support for parenting and life changes

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Credentials
LMHC
Experience
15 years
Licensed in
New York
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Derek

Derek Bakay is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in New York who draws on 15 years of clinical experience. He uses straightforward, person-focused care to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression, career questions, and parenting concerns. Derek aims to make sessions practical and respectful so parents can find useful steps they can try between meetings.

He blends client-centered principles with cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused strategies. That means listening first, then working together to test small changes and reframe unhelpful thoughts.

Background and approach

Sessions often include clear tools for coping with life changes, relationship tension, compassion fatigue, and self-esteem struggles. Derek has additional experience addressing aging and geriatric issues, caregiver strain, blended family dynamics, chronic illness and disability, and fatherhood issues. He also supports people facing midlife challenges, career transitions, impulsivity, and struggles with life purpose.

His background and varied caseload inform an adaptable, down-to-earth approach. Conversations are collaborative and nonjudgmental. Derek avoids stigmatizing labels and focuses on strengths and practical next steps.

He works to tailor dialogue and plans to each person’s goals and circumstances. Sessions are conducted in English and organized to fit clients’ schedules. Prospective clients in New York can learn how to start by following the directory’s matching flow and scheduling process.

Approach-driven online care that fits family life

Client-Centered Therapy here means the therapist listens first and follows the person’s goals and pace, helping parents and individuals feel understood before trying new strategies. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and improve daily functioning. Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on small, practical steps and the client’s strengths to create quick, testable changes for problems like stress, relationship friction, or parenting challenges.

Derek treats finding the right approach as a team effort. He works with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences, and he adjusts the plan as progress is made. That collaborative process helps people try techniques that feel useful and realistic for their day-to-day lives.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to give flexible options for busy schedules. These formats make it easier to fit counseling into parenting routines or workdays and allow ongoing support between meetings. The variety of ways to connect helps people maintain momentum while working toward clearer coping skills and relationship improvements.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Derek commonly address?
Derek helps with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting questions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, career concerns, and coping with life changes. He also works with issues like compassion fatigue, self-esteem, and fatherhood challenges.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is warm, interactive, and straightforward. Sessions focus on listening first, then using practical steps and thought-reframing to address problems.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 15 years of experience working as a mental health counselor in clinical settings. That background informs his mixed approach and practical techniques.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is a licensed mental health counselor - LMHC - with license number NY LMHC 002271, based in New York.
Which languages are supported and can he work internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available online?
Therapy can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client preference.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
15 years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English

Next step

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