David Stefan
Welcome — I’m glad you’re here. I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Ph.D. in Counseling, along with graduate training in both counseling and theology. Over the years, I’ve worked as a therapist, professor, administrator, coach, and educator, and that range of experience has shaped the way I approach counseling: with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for the complexity of each person’s story. I especially enjoy working with adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, identity questions, life transitions, relationship concerns, faith and spiritual struggles, or a general sense of feeling stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about what comes next. I also have particular experience working with men and LGBTQ+ clients who are exploring identity, belonging, self-acceptance, purpose, and the impact of religious or cultural expectations. My approach is collaborative, practical, and reflective. I draw from evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral strategies, narrative work, strengths-based counseling, positive psychology, and meaning-centered approaches. I’m interested not only in helping clients feel better, but also in helping them better understand themselves, recognize patterns, reconnect with what matters, and build a life that feels more authentic and meaningful. Clients often come to me during periods of transition — when an old way of living no longer fits, but the next chapter is not yet clear. Therapy can become a place to slow down, make sense of what you’ve been through, and begin experimenting with what might come next.
First session
Our first session is a chance for us to get to know one another and begin making sense of what brings you to therapy. I’ll invite you to share as much of your story as feels comfortable, including what has been difficult, what you hope might change, and what you want your life to look and feel like moving forward. There is no pressure to have everything figured out before you arrive. My goal is to create a warm, relaxed, and judgment-free space where you can be honest, ask questions, and see whether we feel like a good fit. Together, we’ll begin identifying what feels most important to focus on and develop a direction for our work that feels meaningful and manageable to you.
Strengths
Some of the strengths I bring to therapy are warmth, curiosity, a strong ability to listen for the deeper story, and a willingness to ask thoughtful questions that help you see things from a new perspective. I’m comfortable sitting with complexity, particularly when it comes to identity, relationships, faith, meaning, and major life transitions. While I’ll make space for the difficult parts of your experience, I’m also naturally strengths-focused and interested in what brings you alive, what matters most to you, and what possibilities may be emerging. Clients can expect me to be supportive without simply agreeing with everything—I’ll gently challenge patterns or assumptions when I think doing so may help you move forward. My hope is that therapy feels both meaningful and practical: a place to better understand your story while also beginning to create what comes next.
Ideal clients
I work especially well with adults who are thoughtful, self-reflective, and trying to make sense of a season of change. You may be dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, questions about identity, faith, sexuality, purpose, or simply a sense that the life you’ve been living no longer quite fits. Many of my clients are men who have learned to function well on the outside while carrying uncertainty, loneliness, self-doubt, or a deeper question about who they are and what they want. I’m also especially comfortable working with LGBTQ+ clients and people navigating faith transitions or the impact of religious expectations. You do not need to have a clear goal before starting therapy. If you’re willing to be curious about your story, explore what matters to you, and consider new ways of moving forward, we’ll likely work well together.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients notice the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, especially when certain patterns are contributing to anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or feeling stuck. Together, we may identify automatic negative thoughts, question beliefs that are no longer serving you, and develop more balanced and helpful ways of responding to difficult situations. I use CBT collaboratively rather than as a one-size-fits-all formula, combining practical tools with curiosity about your story, relationships, values, and life experiences. The goal is not simply to “think positively,” but to help you understand your patterns more clearly and build responses that feel more realistic, flexible, and supportive of the life you want to create.
Narrative
I use Narrative Therapy to help clients understand the stories they have learned to tell about themselves, especially stories shaped by difficult experiences, relationships, culture, family, or faith. Together, we may explore where those stories came from, how they continue to influence your choices and sense of identity, and whether they still fit the person you are becoming. I also help clients notice overlooked strengths, exceptions, and turning points that may reveal a fuller and more empowering version of their story. The goal is not to erase the past, but to understand it differently and create more freedom in how you move forward.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing when clients feel uncertain, conflicted, or stuck around an important change. Rather than telling you what you should do, we’ll explore both sides of the decision, what matters most to you, and what may be getting in the way of moving forward. I’ll help you identify your own reasons for change, strengthen confidence in your ability to take the next step, and develop goals that feel realistic and personally meaningful. This approach can be especially helpful during life transitions or when you know something needs to change but are not yet sure what that change should look like.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
My work is grounded in a person-centered approach, which means I see you as the expert on your own life and believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely heard, respected, and accepted. I strive to create a warm, collaborative space where you can speak honestly without fear of judgment or pressure to become someone you are not. Rather than imposing answers, I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help you better understand your own experiences, needs, and values. Over time, this kind of relationship can create the safety and clarity needed for meaningful change.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- OhioLicense E.2606043