- Men's wellbeing
- Goal focused
- Practical skills
About Derek
Derek Bakay is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in New York who focuses on men's wellbeing among other concerns. He brings 15 years of clinical experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and career or life-transition issues. Derek aims to create a respectful, compassionate space where people can talk through what matters most to them.
His style is warm and interactive. He values listening first and then working together to set clear, practical goals. Sessions emphasize real-life skills people can use between meetings to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and tackle day-to-day challenges.
Derek draws on client-centered approaches that keep the person’s own goals central. He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and solution-focused strategies to find immediate, usable steps forward. These methods are chosen to fit each person’s situation rather than applied in the same way to everyone.
He has supported people facing compassion fatigue, caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability adjustment, and issues around parenting, fatherhood, or blended families. Derek also works with concerns such as intimacy, self-esteem, life purpose, and midlife transitions.
Conversations with Derek are practical and straightforward. He helps people notice strengths and build on them. The aim is steady progress toward clearer goals and better day-to-day functioning.
How his approaches shape online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and values. The therapist listens closely and follows the client’s lead to build trust and clarify what matters. This helps when someone needs space to make sense of a major life change or to explore personal priorities.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches practical tools for reducing anxiety and managing low mood by spotting unhelpful thinking and practicing different responses. This approach is useful for everyday stress, anxiety, and mood problems.
Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on small, concrete steps that move a person toward their goals. Sessions often identify one or two manageable changes to try before the next meeting, which can be encouraging for people juggling busy lives.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice may change over time as progress is made and priorities shift.
Confirm current online session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a workday, reduce commute time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or avoid being on camera when people prefer audio only. These practical benefits help therapy fit around daily life rather than the other way around.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Credentials
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems can Derek help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, career issues, and coping with life changes. Additional areas include parenting, intimacy concerns, caregiver stress, chronic illness adjustment, and men’s issues.
How would you describe his therapy style?
His style is warm and interactive, focusing on listening first and setting practical goals. Sessions use respectful, goal-oriented conversation and skill practice.
What experience does he bring?
He has 15 years of clinical experience working in a range of settings to support people with mood, stress, and life-transition challenges.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He holds the LMHC credential and is licensed in New York.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to start working with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.