Nice to meet you – נעים להכיר

I’m Mayan and
I invite you to get curious with me.

A little about me…

If you’re reading this, I am deeply moved that you are looking into therapy and investing in yourself.

My name is Mayan Derhy, and I am a Relationship and Sex Therapist based in Tel Aviv. My work centers around Emotion-Focused Healing, ACT, and Mindfulness Tantric philosophy.

The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. Our deepest healing comes from creating healthy connections – with ourselves, our emotions, our sexuality, and those we love. So many of the people I work with feel disconnected, often without realizing it. This disconnect can distance us from our emotions, our bodies, and our true selves, leaving us feeling unbalanced and unsatisfied.

This is where my work comes in:
I help foster healthy connections.

“The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.”

— Esther Perel

Some common questions:

  • I believe we are made up of interconnected parts—mind, body, and spirit—that all influence one another. My approach combines insights from both Western psychology and Eastern teachings to offer a well-rounded perspective on healing. I incorporate Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), alongside tantric principles and guided meditations.

    A key theme in therapy with me is that unlearning old beliefs can be just as liberating as learning new ones. Together, we’ll explore deeply internalized beliefs, identify those that no longer serve you, and let them go. In their place, we’ll cultivate healthier, empowering truths that enhance both your relationship with yourself and others.

    With all due respect to the deep, transformative work we’ll do in our sessions, my approach encourages you to continue the journey outside of our time together. Each week, I’ll provide food for thought, journaling prompts, or specific exercises to help integrate what we’re learning into your daily life. Real, lasting change comes when we can apply new insights consistently—and I’ll be there to support you in doing just that.

  • For reference, my background includes a Marriage and Family Masters degree at USC in California, following a B.S. in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences. During this time, I specialized in treating individuals with trauma, sexual hardships, and couples looking to strengthen their relationship.

  • Not at all – I practice talk therapy, in which together we help you heal your relationship with sex and approach eroticism in a healthier light. When it comes to somatic (body) exercises and tools, I do lead you in guided meditations and erotic positions both in sessions (fully clothed) and as part of homework.

  • I completely understand the hesitation—most couples feel this way at first. The answer is yes, couples therapy can make a real difference, especially when both partners are open to doing the work. It’s about seeing each other as a team again, learning to understand each other’s needs, desires, and wounds so you can rebuild safety and trust in your relationship.

    I know that trusting the process can feel scary, and that’s why we go through it together. Couples who come with curiosity, vulnerability, and a willingness to learn often leave with tools that strengthen their connection for years to come.

    Fun fact: Clinical research shows that 80% of couples experience improvement after just a few sessions of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and 73% maintain their progress even two years later.

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

— Rumi