- Goal focused
- Practical tools
- Collaborative approach
About Stephen
Stephen Murphy is a licensed clinical social worker with ten years of experience helping people navigate hard emotional moments. He holds LICSW and LCSW-C credentials and works with adults in Maryland and beyond. He focuses on practical steps people can use right away to feel steadier.
He keeps sessions direct and respectful. Stephen listens first, then helps clients set clear goals. He uses everyday language and concrete tools rather than jargon. Many clients come for stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, codependency, or life transitions.
His practice draws on several proven methods, including cognitive behavioral techniques and acceptance-based work. He mixes approaches to match what each person needs. That can mean learning skills to manage strong emotions or trying new ways of relating to others.
Stephen also pays attention to attachment and how early relationships shape present patterns. That helps when people struggle with abandonment, trust, or repeating old dynamics. He supports people facing grief, trauma, addiction concerns, or caregiver stress.
Sessions are collaborative and goal-focused. He helps clients notice what’s not working, try different responses, and track what changes. People who value clear feedback and practical homework tend to find this style helpful.
How treatment approaches guide online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It focuses on values and small steps that move someone toward a life they care about, which can help with anxiety, depression, and codependency patterns.Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current behavior and expectations. This approach helps people understand patterns around trust, abandonment, and closeness, and it can change how they relate in present relationships.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Stephen will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. He typically blends techniques rather than sticking to a single model, and he checks in regularly to see what is helping.
The practical benefits of online therapy often include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and reducing travel time. Because the biography did not list specific session formats, confirm the available options before booking. Many people find that online meetings make it easier to keep consistent appointments and use skills between sessions in everyday settings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Credentials
Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, District of Columbia, Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
He works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and communication problems, codependency, grief, trauma, addictions, parenting strain, ADHD, and career or life changes.
What is the therapeutic style and approach?
Stephen uses a mix of practical methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, acceptance-based work, attachment-informed ideas, client-centered listening, and skills from dialectical behavior therapy to help people change unhelpful patterns.
How long has he been working as a therapist?
He has ten years of clinical experience supporting people through emotional challenges and life transitions.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He holds LICSW and LCSW-C credentials and is licensed to practice in Maryland; his profile lists additional licensure in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, and the District of Columbia.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with international clients?
Yes, he accepts international clients according to the profile information provided.
How are sessions arranged and what formats are available?
The original biography did not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options when arranging an appointment.
How much do sessions cost and how are payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.