David Ackerman, LCSW

David Ackerman, LCSW, helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, and major life changes. He works with clients who are coping with chronic illness, grief, addiction, and trauma. His first priority is building a clear, practical connection that feels steady and approachable.

He uses a conversational, interactive style that focuses on what the client wants to change. Sessions aim to identify immediate coping steps and longer-term goals. David draws on humanistic ideas to center the person's experience, psychodynamic perspectives to notice repeating patterns, and goal-focused work to create concrete next steps.

Over 22 years of practice in New York have included supporting people with mood concerns, personality-related struggles, eating and sleep problems, and identity questions such as LGBT issues. He also helps with parenting stress, career pressures, intimacy and communication problems, and the emotional toll of caregiving and chronic health conditions.

In the room, the focus is on developing skills that can be used between sessions. That might include new ways to handle strong emotions, clearer communication strategies, or small behavioral shifts that reduce daily stress. David encourages practical experiments and honest feedback about what is or is not working.

Clients who want a collaborative, steady approach will find practical support here. To begin, a short matching process and scheduling step will connect you to a session rhythm that fits your life.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts without getting stuck in them and then commit to actions that fit their values; it can be useful for anxiety, chronic health struggles, and life changes. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and the client's own goals, giving space for people to name what matters and move at their own pace. Emotionally-Focused Therapy emphasizes understanding and reshaping patterns in close relationships, which can help with intimacy and communication issues.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to try different ways of working, check what helps, and adjust the plan based on goals and preferences. Clients are encouraged to give feedback so sessions stay practical and relevant.

Confirm the session options before booking to know which formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also supports using real-life moments as material for sessions, like practicing a conversation or testing a coping strategy between meetings.