Derek Bakay
Calm, practical, person-focused therapy
LMHC New York
- Experience
- 15 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Career, Depression
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Derek
Derek Bakay brings a cognitive-behavioral perspective to his counseling work, blending structured strategies with a respectful, person-focused stance to help people navigate stress, anxiety, career challenges, depression, and life transitions.
Background and approach
He uses practical tools drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered listening and solution-focused techniques to tailor plans that match each person's goals and circumstances. Derek emphasizes collaboration and evidence-informed methods while staying attentive to the whole person rather than labeling difficulties.
With 15 years of experience practicing in New York, Derek works with concerns that include compassion fatigue, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting and fatherhood matters, self-esteem and life purpose questions, and a wide range of additional focuses such as aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, and blended family dynamics.
He frames therapy as a partnership that builds on strengths and skills, guiding clients through coping strategies, communication work, and practical steps for change. Derek is licensed as an LMHC in New York (NY LMHC 002271) and offers an approachable, nonjudgmental style that prioritizes respect and individualized planning.
Online Therapy Using Practical, Person-Focused Approaches
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and respect for each person's experience; it focuses on understanding concerns from the client's perspective and creating space for self-directed growth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers structured tools to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and adjustment challenges. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on setting clear goals and identifying small, actionable steps toward the changes a client wants to see.Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Derek works with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts plans over time based on what proves most helpful. He treats clients as active partners in shaping the work and draws on different strategies when appropriate.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility for varied schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit therapy into a busy life, and use practical tools and exercises between meetings when useful.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English