David Ackerman, LCSW - Therapist in New York

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Motivational Interviewing

About David

David Ackerman is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) based in New York with 22 years of clinical experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, and he has supported those coping with trauma and emotional abuse.

He uses an interactive, conversational style in sessions. That means he listens, reflects, and asks questions to help people notice patterns and try different ways of responding. He draws on ideas from humanistic and psychodynamic perspectives alongside goal-focused work.

Over two decades he has worked with a wide range of problems, including depression, chronic mental illness, eating and personality disorders, and the effects of long-term health conditions. He also helps people address self-esteem, life transitions, grief, and issues around intimacy and communication.

In practical terms he focuses on building a working alliance and teaching coping skills. Sessions include talk-based work, exploring personal stories, and identifying small, concrete changes to daily routines and relationships. He uses methods that encourage noticing feelings, clarifying values, and trying new behaviors.

People who seek him out often want straightforward feedback and tools they can try between sessions. He accepts international clients and conducts work in English. To start, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the site's online options.

How his approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them, and then choose actions that align with their values. It can be useful for anxiety, avoidance, and coping with life changes.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what a person says, helping them find their own solutions and build confidence. It often supports people dealing with low self-esteem or relationship challenges.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on understanding emotions in close relationships and trying new ways of reaching out and connecting. It can help with intimacy-related issues and communication problems.

Picking the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and may combine techniques over time based on how things are going.

Confirm the current online session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people join from locations that suit them. These practical benefits often help people sustain regular work on anxiety, relationships, and life changes.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Also works with

Addictions LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Grief Intimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgiveness Guilt and shame Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Money and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discrimination Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues Workplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyEmotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Listed in

New York

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he address?

He works with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns plus trauma, grief, self-esteem, and related issues listed in his profile.

What is his therapeutic style like?

He works interactively in sessions using conversation, reflection, and practical suggestions to help people try new ways of responding.

How much clinical experience does he have?

He has 22 years of clinical experience as an LCSW practicing in New York.

What are his credentials and location?

He is an LCSW licensed in New York and practices from that jurisdiction.

Does he work in other languages or with international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.

Which session formats are available?

Please confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified in the biography.

How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin if I want to work with him?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.