David Sebastian

I'm a licensed therapist based in New York, and I work with people who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and the kind of stress that accumulates quietly until it isn't quiet anymore. I also work specifically with men who are finding their footing — whether that means unpacking old patterns, improving relationships, or just figuring out why they feel stuck when they "should" be fine. My clients include adults and teens, people navigating cultural and identity questions, and folks dealing with issues and thoughts they haven't shared with anyone yet. I'm not a blank-slate therapist. I bring warmth, some humor, and genuine directness to the work — because sitting in silence for fifty minutes doesn't help everyone. All sessions are virtual, which means we work wherever you are across New York.

My approach is grounded primarily in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CBT, with motivational interviewing woven in depending on what a client is working through. What that actually looks like: we build real, practical skills for managing difficult thoughts and emotions — not by fighting them, but by relating to them differently. I pay attention to patterns, to what you value, and to what's getting in the way of living more like yourself. I work collaboratively, meaning your goals shape our direction, and I'll tell you when something isn't working. The work is tailored and there's no one-size approach here.

Expect a conversation, not an intake form read back at you. We'll talk about what's been going on, what you've tried, and what you're hoping shifts. I'll share how I work and check whether it feels like a match — because the fit matters more than credentials. By the end of the session, you'll have a clearer sense of what we'd focus on together and what the next few sessions might look like. There's no pressure to have everything figured out before you show up. You just have to show up.