LCPC, 12 years of experience
Hello, I'm Steve, a licensed therapist with a passion for helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges and achieve mental wellness. With over 20 years of experience in corporate America and nearly a decade of military counseling, I bring a diverse and grounded perspective to my practice, allowing me to connect deeply with clients facing a wide range of concerns. I specialize in treating PTSD, combat-related trauma, military family support, work-related stress, and anxiety. One of my unique areas of expertise is cult-related abuse, making me one of the few specialists in this field nationwide. My work has received national recognition, including a feature on the Dr. Phil show. I recently published a clinical book for therapists and clergy on treating survivors of cults and coercive control—an area of care that is often overlooked but deeply needed. I also focus on men’s mental health, executive and leadership counseling, clergy support, and depression treatment. My approach to therapy centers on creating a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. I blend Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the Gottman Method for couples, tailoring sessions to each client’s unique goals. My aim is to help clients build resilience, develop clarity, and experience meaningful, lasting change. In my practice, I prioritize strong therapeutic relationships and empowering clients to take the lead in their healing journey. Whether you're navigating trauma, stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth, I’m here to help you chart your course toward a healthier and more fulfilling future.
My therapeutic approach is grounded in creating a compassionate and non-judgmental environment where you feel heard and valued. I primarily use Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes unconditional positive regard and empathy, alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. By integrating these approaches, I tailor each session to your unique needs, empowering you to achieve personal growth and lasting change.
I believe my greatest strengths as a provider lie in my deep empathy, extensive experience, and personalized approach to therapy. My empathy allows me to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. With over 20 years in corporate America and nearly a decade of military counseling, I bring a diverse and rich background that helps me connect with clients facing a wide range of challenges. Additionally, as one of the few cultic abuse specialists in the nation, I have unique expertise in addressing complex trauma. My work in this area has been recognized nationally, including a feature on the Dr. Phil show. My ability to integrate various therapeutic techniques, such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the Gottman Method for couples, enables me to tailor my approach to each client's unique needs, fostering meaningful and lasting change.
I am best positioned to serve clients who are navigating complex and multifaceted challenges, including those related to PTSD, combat-related trauma, and military family support. My extensive experience also makes me uniquely qualified to work with individuals recovering from cult-related abuse. Additionally, I effectively support clients dealing with work-related stress, anxiety, depression, and men's therapeutic concerns. I am also adept at working with couples seeking to improve their relationships, using methods like Internal Family Systems and the Gottman Method. My practice is particularly suited for those who value a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, and who are seeking to achieve personal growth and lasting change.
My experience with the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treatment method spans several years and various client demographics, including those dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and work-related stress. CBT is a cornerstone of my therapeutic approach because it effectively addresses the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In practice, I use CBT to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to their emotional distress. We work together to develop healthier thinking patterns and coping strategies. By setting specific, measurable goals, I empower clients to track their progress and make meaningful changes. This structured approach not only alleviates symptoms but also equips clients with tools to manage future challenges, fostering resilience and long-term well-being.
My experience with couples therapy involves helping partners navigate relationship challenges, improve communication, and rebuild trust. I use a combination of therapeutic techniques, including Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the Gottman Method, to address the unique dynamics of each relationship. In practice, I create a safe and neutral environment where both partners feel heard and respected. I focus on identifying and understanding underlying emotional needs and patterns that contribute to conflicts. Through guided conversations and exercises, I help couples develop healthier communication skills, foster emotional intimacy, and strengthen their bond. My goal is to empower couples to work collaboratively towards a more fulfilling and resilient relationship.
My core training and modality are rooted in the Client-Centered treatment method, also known as Rogerian Therapy. This approach emphasizes creating a therapeutic environment characterized by empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine understanding. In practice, I prioritize building a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, heard, and valued. I strive to understand your experiences from your perspective, fostering a non-judgmental space for open and honest exploration. By focusing on your inherent strengths and potential, I support you in discovering your own solutions and paths to personal growth. This client-centered approach empowers you to take the lead in your therapeutic journey, promoting self-awareness, self-acceptance, and lasting change.
I have extensive experience facilitating group therapy sessions with veterans, creating a space for shared understanding, camaraderie, and healing. My work integrates narrative-driven activities, such as using gaming as a therapeutic tool. One approach I use is incorporating role-playing games, board games, and gaming , which allows veterans and others to explore different aspects of themselves through storytelling and strategic challenges. Gaming in therapy serves as a method to engage veterans in a way that feels less clinical, offering a familiar and comforting environment. It stimulates cognitive processing, encourages teamwork, and provides opportunities for veterans to discuss their experiences in a safe and indirect manner. These sessions foster creativity, improve problem-solving, and address trauma through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and experiential learning. By connecting veterans through shared experiences and gaming, I help them build coping strategies and reduce isolation while creating a sense of community.
In my practice, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a key method I use to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. With over a decade of experience working with veterans and survivors of cultic abuse, I understand the profound impact trauma can have on one's mental health, and TF-CBT allows me to provide structured and effective treatment. Through TF-CBT, I help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, reduce distressing symptoms like anxiety or hypervigilance, and build healthier coping mechanisms. The goal is to enable clients to reframe their trauma-related beliefs and gradually desensitize themselves to painful memories or triggers in a safe, controlled manner. This approach involves both cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques, giving clients tools to manage flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. By integrating psychoeducation and relaxation strategies, I create a balanced environment where clients feel supported and empowered throughout their recovery journey. This method has proven highly effective for PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and I tailor the treatment to fit each individual's unique experiences and readiness to engage with their trauma.