What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.40
Average wait time
4.50
Bedside manner
4.50
“Viktor has a wealth of clinical knowledge and it shows in his sessions. He is caring and involved as well as teams up with your other practitioners.”
SGMore than 1 year ago
About Viktor Cortese
Focus areas
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Perfectionism
Social Anxiety
Low Self Esteem
Psychotherapy
Therapy
Mental Health Problem
Self Esteem Issues
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Coaching
Existential
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing
EMDR
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Identity
Gender
MaleLanguages spoken
English, Russian
Getting to know Viktor Cortese
My career in therapy began after several years of helping people as a fitness coach, and the strength-based lessons I learned there continue to inform my process. While some types of therapy focus on dissecting and investigating problems, my style leans more toward using tried and true psychological workouts to build strength instead. It just so happens that when our lives feel more meaningful, our mindset grows more confident, and we become aware of what we’re capable of, our minds naturally heal their weak or injured spots. I use an integrated approach, combining cognitive and solution-focused therapy to keep us on track—expanding your potential and helping you shift momentum from trying to eliminate weakness to actively growing strength, self-esteem, and confidence. This approach works especially well for people who may feel too intimidated to directly face a scary part of their past because we focus on your strengths rather than the frightening parts. It also benefits those who are already performing well but want an extra edge.
Fatherhood has deepened my passion for becoming a therapist, alongside the opportunity to work with a broad range of clients throughout my years in the mental health field. Many of the techniques I share with clients are ones I’ve practiced most of my life, having grown up in the Soviet Union. If you’re familiar with Lex Fridman’s story, you might recognize how that perspective encourages discipline, the search for meaning in life, and existential self-expression—all of which enrich the therapeutic process. I earned my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Mercy University, which further equipped me to support clients on their journeys.
It is my earnest hope to meet you where you are in your own troubling times, helping you find meaning and rise to the challenge!
What should a new client know about working with you?
Some therapies operate more like fortune telling where it’s a 50:50 whether what you talked about is going to be meaningful to you. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, uses evidence-based methods for consistently getting results over time that aren’t based on interpretation. We’ll measure your goals in advance so we know if we’re hitting them or not and we’ll make adjustments along the way to ensure that we are. These techniques help to cultivate a skillset that you’ll be able to walk away with after therapy is done. Rather than reflecting on a few conversations that may have once been meaningful in the past, I aim for you to walk away with a discipline that you can continue to carry into the future.
There are many different kinds of therapy, but the best ones are the ones where the process half teaches you to become your own therapist. That’s what I’m offering. Very similar to how a gym coach can teach you how to have good form so that you can continue working out on your own, I hope to show you some of the “mental form” that CBT teaches us so that you can continue to work out after our sessions are finished. Rather than a therapist who hopes to hold onto clients forever, my expectation is that therapy works for you within 3-6 months and we count it as a success from which to move on to bigger and better things. Our first sessions are there to get to know one another but also to plan for how the experience is going to end successfully where you feel free and empowered.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
During the intake process, I will use the opportunity to learn more about you; I will listen to your story and help you explore your thoughts and feelings in an environment that is nurturing and safe. We will discuss our roles and procedures and create realistic goals to make good use of the therapeutic process. Over the course of therapy, we will process your past experiences and present-day struggles to help you better understand and accept yourself and let go of any maladaptive behaviors that have held you back or been damaging in some way. Together, we will work on developing more adaptive behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Depending on the goals and the interventions used, I may assign homework that will consist of writing, reading, or watching videos, which we will then discuss. Our process will be collaborative throughout, and we will track progress in ways that will allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment about the goals you have met.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
Enter your insurance carrier and plan
choose insurance
In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Mercy University, Master's in Mental Health Counseling
NPI number
1316601230
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.40
Wait time
4.50
Bedside manner
4.50
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
10 reviews
Most relevant
Great communication. Insightful. Concise. Intuitive.
Less than 1 year agoMichael M.Verified patient
Let me first start by saying that I have not seen a therapist in a number of years, but I knew I needed help and was hesitant and anxious about the upcoming scheduled video call with Viktor. I did everything that was asked of me prior to joining the scheduled appointment. When I joined the meeting, I waited.. and waited.. and waited. Viktor never came on the call. After about 20 minutes, I attempted to call him not once but twice given the phone number provided to me and got no response. I left a voicemail, but never received a call back. I can honestly say, this is the 1st time I’ve ever been stood up by a doctor/therapist, and this experience (or lack there of) only solidified the urge to not seek a therapist out in the future. So thank you Victor for the detriment you provided me in not having faith in this system. To anyone else looking for a therapist, don’t waste your time with this guy like I wasted mine: staring a video screen for a half an hour for this guy to never show face.
September 28, 2024Adam F.Verified patientVideo visit
Viktor has a wealth of clinical knowledge and it shows in his sessions. He is caring and involved as well as teams up with your other practitioners.
More than 1 year agoSG
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
April 27, 2025Devon B.Verified patient
November 19, 2024Felix G.Verified patientVideo visit
August 24, 2024Abigail H.Verified patientVideo visit
More than 1 year agoRS
More than 1 year agoSH
How soon can I make an appointment with Viktor Cortese?
Generally, Viktor Cortese has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Viktor Cortese's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Viktor Cortese accepting new patients?
Viktor Cortese generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Viktor Cortese's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Viktor Cortese accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Viktor Cortese is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Viktor Cortese online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Viktor Cortese using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Viktor Cortese work with?
Viktor Cortese works with Become The Way MSO LLC.
What are common reasons for patients to see Viktor Cortese?
Viktor Cortese frequently sees patients for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Viktor Cortese on their profile.
What languages does Viktor Cortese speak?
Viktor Cortese speaks English and Russian.
How do patients rate Viktor Cortese in reviews?
10 patients have reviewed Viktor Cortese. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.4/5. They have a 4.5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.