Paul Pasternak , LMHC

Paul Pasternak is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He holds New York license NY LMHC 003878-1 and has worked in a variety of settings, developing a broad base of experience that informs his work with individuals and families.

Across his career he has supported people facing anxiety, depression, addiction, parenting and fatherhood challenges, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. He also brings experience addressing trauma and abuse, grief and loss, stress and coping, intimacy-related concerns, career issues, and aging and caregiver stress. He draws on this range of experience when assessing needs and designing treatment plans.

Paul practices from a strength-based, client-centered perspective, helping clients identify the changes they want to make and building on their existing resources. He commonly uses Motivational Interviewing to support readiness for change and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. With each person he develops an individualized care plan, tracks progress, and adjusts interventions as needed in an empathetic, trauma-aware environment.

Paul emphasizes hope and practical effort as partners in change. He approaches treatment with patience and realism, aiming to help people move toward goals such as improved mood, healthier relationships, better coping skills, and greater overall functioning.

Approaches That Shape Online Care

Paul uses client-centered therapy to place the person at the center of the work - listening for each individual’s goals and strengths and shaping therapy around what matters most to them. This approach helps with a wide range of concerns, from relationship issues to life transitions, by emphasizing collaboration and respect for personal values.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another frequent tool in his practice. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to symptoms like anxiety and depression, and it offers practical strategies for managing stress and improving mood.

Motivational Interviewing supports change by exploring ambivalence and strengthening motivation. It is particularly useful for clients dealing with addictions, readiness to change, or situations where making a sustained change feels difficult.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Paul works with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and he adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible options to access this work via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and stay connected with a licensed professional from a variety of locations.