Paul Pasternak, LMHC

Paul Pasternak is a licensed mental health counselor with 25 years of experience based in New York. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addiction, grief, and the upheaval that can come with major life changes. Paul also supports people dealing with parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem struggles, and concerns common in midlife transitions.

Paul uses a client-centered, strength-based style. He listens first, then helps people set clear goals they want to reach. He favors practical tools rooted in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to encourage change and build skills.

When someone first comes for help, Paul works with them to build a specific care plan. That plan focuses on realistic steps and is adjusted as progress is made. Sessions combine problem-solving, skills practice, and discussion of past experiences when that helps move things forward.

Paul has worked in many settings over his career and draws on that variety when tailoring support to each person. He pays attention to how trauma, life stage, and caregiver stress can affect day-to-day functioning. The aim is steady, manageable change rather than quick fixes.

Starting therapy takes energy and hope, and Paul emphasizes both as part of the work. He encourages collaborative effort so people can move toward the life they want, one step at a time.

Approaches That Translate to Online Work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and letting the person lead the pace of change; it helps people clarify goals and feel understood. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect and teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood, or change unhelpful habits. Motivational Interviewing is a goal-oriented conversational style that helps build readiness and commitment for change, often used with addiction, behavior change, and ambivalence.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Paul will collaborate with each person to identify which methods feel most useful for their goals and adjust the plan over time. The first sessions are often about listening, setting priorities, and trying a few techniques to see what fits.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people use tools and worksheets together during meetings. Licensed professionals can often adapt these approaches to work effectively over distance, and the process remains focused on practical steps and progress.