Clay is a great therapist and a great guy. I've gone to therapy before in my life, but I genuinely feel like Clay was possibly the most helpful person I've ever worked with. He's certainly a great listener and sounding board, but also full of practical ideas of how you can try and address the situations in your life that create stress. I felt challenged at times in a way that was very useful to me. I'm in the arts and I actually found Clay through people recommending him as a good therapist for artists, as he's connected to that world. But, I will second many others here in saying his idea of "taking a walk" through Central Park and talking about things is a wonderful and surprisingly useful way to approach therapy. However, I'll also note that he has a comfortable office -- when we started working together it was the snowy dead of winter and we didn't actually do the walks until a few meetings in. I would highly recommend him to anyone! read more

Clay is an incredible human being. I can't imagine where I'd be right now without Clay's guidance and advocacy. Clay was more than a therapist I'd see once a week, he really became a trusted friend. I had a couple of hospital stays when I was seeing him regularly and he'd make phone calls and talk with the staff and check on me. I can't imagine too many therapists going out of their way to ensure I was being cared for. Clay is really smart, has a great memory, and his practice of walking and talking is really refreshing. He's really well rounded and has a wonderful Southern drawl! If you are looking for a good listener, good advice, and someone who really cares about what has brought you to therapy, then you really should make an appointment with Clay. read more

I found Clay Cockrell because his Walk and Talk Therapy concept appealed to me, sounded sensible, and was something I hadn't tried yet. When I found Clay I was deeply depressed, struggling with self-loathing, and feeling hopeless about the primary issue that was causing such despair. Well, my work with Clay turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life and is still paying dividends now, several years after our final appointment. I am so much happier and more functional. The Walk and Talk part was novel and definitely added value. I had wondered if I'd feel safe, and for me at least, it turns out walking is a 'safe space'. And it's amazing how being *beside* someone, instead of being stared at by them, takes the pressure off, so you can open up. Moving your feet does help get your thoughts moving, especially if you're depressed or stuck-feeling. It all leads to interesting self-revelations and an openness to reconsidering old assumptions. So, yes, Walk and Talk Therapy itself really is everything you've heard. But -- that's burying the lede! The headline is that Clay himself is just a phenomenal therapist. I had seen five others over the course of 20 years. And l felt counselling could be useful, especially if it was goal-focused, like Clay's Cognitive Behavioral Therapy technique is. But I had become doubtful anyone could actually help me with my primary issue -- chronic, self-destructive procrastination. Mine had gone way past funny, and into dark, miserable, uncontrollable, hopeless territory. By the time I got to Clay, I had already read the top self-help books on the subject and seen other therapists. The other counselors had been solid with some things, but nothing and no one had been able to help me with the procrastination. Did I mention it was severe? Clay gave me practical mental exercises, mantras, and re-framings, which I actually didn't reject -- probably because he explained the science and theory behind them so well! And guess what, it worked. Clay's counsel helped me break through my procrastination. Oh, it still shows up sometimes, but now I'm armed with tools to sidestep it and get going -- and they work! Not surprisingly, now my life is saner, more manageable, and I have remembered that I can accomplish tasks, short and long ones. Separate from the procrastination, Clay helped me immensely with my self-worth. I only saw Clay for five months, and I last saw him just over two years ago. Since working with him, I'm just so much happier. Clay helped me turn my life around, and I'm eternally grateful. read more

Like all the other reviews here, I just can't say enough good things about Clay! I've seen other therapists over the years as well, but Clay is so full of practical, actionable steps that really work. He has such a vast range of experiences and can relate so well to many different people. He is genuinely a great person who truly cares about his clients. I really look forward to my meetings each week, to discuss the highs and the lows, The successes and failures and continue working on my challenges. I could literally go on and on but bottom line if you are looking for a therapist in the New York area you must give Clay a call. You will be happy you did!! Thank you Clay for being such a supportive, caring, intuitive and helpful therapist. You are the best!! read more

Clay is amazing! I was unsure about therapy at first, but thought the "walk and talk" may make it a little easier for me. And then I met Clay! He is so easy to talk to and he is an amazing listener. He creates such a comfortable atmosphere, it feels like you are just hanging out with a great friend. I enjoyed our sessions so much that I found myself looking forward to them each week. He helped me work through some issues and he helped me better understand people so I could make the best of different relationships. I view therapy very differently now and I would recommend Clay to anyone. He is the best! My time with him was such a positive experience, I can't say enough! read more

I initially was drawn to Dr. Cockrell's approach because of the walking. What a cool idea - it just makes sense, really - and when I found out he also has a focus on money issues ( people coming to terms with wealth and how to raise children to not be spoiled ) I knew I had found the right therapist. He is incredibly warm and funny and just flat our knows his stuff. I had been in therapy in the past, but was just not prepared for a session that left me thinking so differently about my issues and with homework to apply to my situation. He obviously has had a lot of media attention, but he is just so down to earth and accepting...no judgement, just empathy and action oriented ideas. I'm very lucky to have worked with him and will refer in the future. Thanks! read more

Clay...I felt so comfortable from the moment I met him. I like his approach in not only listening to me and any issues I might have..but then giving me practical tools in dealing with them. I especially liked walking through Central Park with him and discussing "my life" amongst nature and my fellow human beings. I am one who always walks to clear my head and to have Clay beside me as I do so..is so comforting to me. Simply put, he genuinely cares. read more

I guess there comes a time in your life when you need some perspective and that maybe you realize that you can't do it all on your own. I reached that place a few years ago and my wife encouraged me to seek a therapist. I'm not exactly a therapy guy - but I knew my wife was right so I started looking for one and quickly got overwhelmed. A friend of mine recommended Clay and I guess I was drawn initially, not only by the recommendation, but with the fact that he walked in the park - just seemed different and logical at the same time. I wasn't sure what to expect - but found myself in the first session just opening up and talking. Talking maybe for the first time in forever. Clay is incredibly caring and truly interested in helping a person get a handle on things. I found myself making changes right away and life started to get better. Clay is no nonsense and up front without being blunt. You never have to figure out what he's trying to say and he may be the only person in the world I've been able to just open up and talk about EVERYTHING. So if your reading this - thank you. I owe so much to you. read more

This is beyond therapy. Methods may be unconventional but Clay is quick to identify your concerns and provide solutions that you carry beyond individual sessions. read more

Clay is amazing!!! I have referred many patients and friends to him. He is do caring, great long term advice that sticks, and is very accommodating. The best thing about him is he has an amazing warm personality that makes you so comfortable! Go see him he is the best in NYC! read more