- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About David
David Ackerman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York with 22 years of experience. He sees people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, bipolar disorder, addictions, grief, trauma and many life changes.
He works in a conversational, interactive way. Sessions focus on identifying feelings and patterns that make things harder at home or work. He helps people develop concrete coping skills and clearer ways to talk about difficult emotions.
David draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and client-centered ideas. He also uses motivational interviewing and narrative therapy to help people clarify their values and rewrite unhelpful stories about themselves.
His background includes long-term work with depression, anxiety, personality and eating disorders, and chronic illness. He has experience supporting people through major life transitions and strain related to caregiving, aging, and medical conditions.
In sessions he concentrates on building a working relationship and practical steps clients can try between meetings. He encourages clear communication skills, improved emotional awareness, and workable coping techniques that fit daily life.
To start, he asks about current challenges and what someone hopes to change. That helps shape goals and which approaches to emphasize in therapy.
How his approaches translate to online work
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying core emotions and how those emotions shape relationship patterns. It can help people name feelings that are hard to put into words and practice new ways of responding. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes noticing thoughts and values-based action; it is useful for anxiety, stress, and making changes that fit a person's priorities. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and pacing, offering space to talk through whatever feels most pressing.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. He will work with each person to decide which methods to emphasize based on their goals, history, and what feels most helpful in early sessions. That collaboration helps set clear goals and makes sessions feel more practical and focused.
The biography does not specify session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let conversations happen without travel time. Online work can make it easier to keep continuity during life changes and to practice skills between meetings while staying engaged with everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does he work with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma and grief, among other challenges listed in his profile.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses an interactive, conversational style that focuses on emotions, patterns, and practical coping skills.
How much experience does he have?
He has 22 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of mental health and life issues.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New York and practices from that location.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats; confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and 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 the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.