- Person-centered approach
- Practical CBT tools
- Experience with trauma
About Stephen
Dr. Stephen Bentley is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) with 32 years of experience. He focuses on helping people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, codependency, and other life challenges. He aims to build a respectful working relationship and to meet people where they are. If someone is ready to make a change, he offers steady support through that process.
He emphasizes a person-centered approach that begins with listening and understanding each person's needs. That relationship is the foundation for deciding what to work on together. He uses practical tools drawn from cognitive behavioral methods to help change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He also draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current patterns.
Stephen has worked in hospitals, led groups, done crisis intervention, and supervised clinical teams. He has helped people facing trauma, physical or emotional abuse, addiction, ADHD, autism spectrum challenges, mood disorders, and parenting strains. He has also supported those coping with chronic illness, caregiver stress, and complex grief.
His style is warm, direct, and nonjudgmental. He avoids stigmatizing labels and treats people with respect and sensitivity. Over the past two years he has used tele-health as a practical way to continue care. He describes counseling as being an agent of change and aims to walk alongside clients as they pursue a more fulfilling life.
Dr. Bentley practices in Kentucky and works in English. He accepts international clients through the service. To begin, prospective clients use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling.
How his approaches translate to online therapy
Dr. Bentley blends person-centered care with cognitive behavioral and attachment-based ideas. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and addictive patterns. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships influence current behavior and emotional responses, helping people understand patterns in close connections.Choosing the right approach is part of the process and is done together. He begins by hearing what matters to the client, discusses options, and then tailors methods to fit goals and preferences. That collaborative planning helps make sessions useful from the start.
Tele-health has been a practical way for him to continue care in recent years. If you are considering online work, confirm the exact session formats before booking. Online options can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, allow a quieter check-in during a break, or reduce travel time. Therapists can also adapt exercises and behavioral homework for use between sessions so progress continues outside the meeting time.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
32+ years
Credentials
Kentucky
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He addresses stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, ADHD, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, eating and parenting concerns, and codependency among other areas.
What is his general therapy style?
He uses a person-centered style that starts with listening and building a working relationship, then combines cognitive behavioral and attachment-based methods to address thoughts, feelings, and patterns.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 32 years of experience, including hospital work, group therapy, crisis intervention, and more than ten years as a director and supervisor.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
He is an LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - licensed in Kentucky and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported and can he work with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients through the platform.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography mentions tele-health as a tool he has used. Confirm current session formats and options before booking to ensure they meet your needs.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.