About
- Client-centered approach
- Existential perspective
- Grief and parenting
About Jay
Jay Sontag is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York with four years of clinical experience. Jay focuses on relationship and family concerns, LGBT issues, grief, and parenting challenges. Sessions are conducted in English and they do not work with international clients at this time.
Jay draws on humanistic and existential ideas to help people find meaning and stay grounded in daily life. They use conversational, client-centered methods to listen closely and follow what matters most to each person. Motivational interviewing is used when someone wants to make change but feels stuck.
The work often looks like talking through family conflicts, sorting complicated feelings around adoption or abandonment, and addressing shame or guilt. Jay also helps people navigate gender dysphoria, questions about sexuality, and non-monogamous relationship dynamics. Grief work and caregiver stress are other common topics.
Jay identifies as LGBTQ+ and brings that perspective to sessions when relevant. They live in New York and place emphasis on community and restorative justice practices in how they think about relationships and repair. Their approach is straightforward and conversational rather than lecture-based.
Practical concerns such as communication problems, forgiveness, and life purpose are also part of the work. People can expect a focus on clear, real-world steps as well as discussion about personal meaning and values.
How sessions work
How Jay's therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and responding to what matters most to the client. Online sessions with this focus give space for people to tell their story and set the pace. This approach is useful for relationship issues, parenting stress, and questions about identity.Existential therapy looks at meaning, values, and how people face life choices. In virtual conversations this can involve clarifying what a person cares about and exploring practical ways to live by those values. It often helps when someone is dealing with grief, life purpose, or anxiety about change.
Motivational interviewing supports people who want to make changes but feel unsure how to start. Online sessions use reflective listening and concrete goal-setting to build momentum one step at a time.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Jay will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences and may combine techniques across sessions as needs shift.
Confirm which session formats are offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy household because it reduces travel time and can allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes regular scheduling simpler for caregivers and people balancing family responsibilities.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family and relationship issues are addressed?
Jay works with relationship strain, family conflict, communication problems, and family of origin concerns, plus related topics like adoption and abandonment.
What is Jay's general therapy style?
Sessions are conversational and client-centered, with existential ideas about meaning and motivational interviewing when a client wants to make changes.
How much clinical experience does Jay have?
Jay has four years of professional experience as an LMHC practicing in New York.
Where is Jay licensed and based?
Jay is licensed as an LMHC in New York and practices from that location.
In what languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people from other countries work with Jay?
Jay does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Costs vary with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process of working with Jay?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.