David Ackerman, LCSW

David Ackerman, LCSW, helps people who are coping with anxiety, stress, relationship struggles, and big life changes. He sees clients in New York and brings 22 years of clinical experience to sessions. He works with individual concerns like grief, addiction, sleep and eating issues, and also supports people facing aging and geriatric issues. He accepts international clients and conducts therapy in English.

David uses a conversational, interactive style in sessions. He draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy to shape work with each person. He aims to build a strong working relationship and then collaborates with clients to set goals and practice new coping skills.

He has experience with a wide range of mental health challenges, including depression, chronic anxiety, personality and eating disorders, and trauma from abuse. He also addresses life-stage concerns such as chronic illness, caregiving strain, and transitions related to aging. His background includes long-term clinical work with diverse populations across many settings.

Sessions focus on clear steps people can use between meetings. That can mean practicing acceptance and values-based action, identifying unhelpful patterns in stories people tell about themselves, or using emotion-focused techniques to improve connection and communication. The tone is warm and practical, aimed at helping people notice small changes that build over time.

To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to the therapist's availability. David works collaboratively to tailor the plan to each person's situation and goals.

How therapeutic approaches shape online care

David commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy in his work. ACT focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then making small moves toward what matters most. It can help with anxiety, stress, and coping during life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the client’s lead and helps them find their own solutions.

He also draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas when relationship patterns and emotional bonding are central concerns. That approach helps people and partners name emotions and change interaction patterns to feel more connected and understood. Choosing the right approach is collaborative; the therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit, and adjust as needed so the work feels useful.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session options before booking since specific formats are not listed in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, client-centered, and emotion-focused techniques to an online setting, helping clients practice skills and try new behaviors in everyday life.