(he/him)
Clients say this provider is
I am privileged to work with those who have struggled with the challenges of life; trauma, addiction, relationship issues, mood disorders, grief, attachment, career issues or any stress contributing to anxiety. They may have sought therapy in the past and have become disillusioned, for whatever reason. The foundation of therapy is the therapeutic alliance. I believe the client is the expert in the relationship and together we work to live life inspired by our dreams and values, not shackled by things beyond our control. Pain is inevitable while suffering is optional.
In the first session we will discuss the motivation for seeking treatment, a sense of expectations, if any, and the beginnings of the therapeutic alliance so critical in order that folowing sessions ensue. In a sense, the purpose of the first session is to have a second session, so it's important that the client feel welcome and to be "heard deeply". It is important that the client resonate with hope and confidence that he or she can live the life they desire from the beginning.
Having worked for the past 25 years in every level of mental health care from private practice to the hospital Level III setting, I have gained valuable experience from treating severe and persistent disorders such as Schizophrenia / Bipolar to attachment trauma, combat, childhood sexual abuse, anger management and a plethora of other disorders. This experience has forged my clinical expertise and assessment skills, to form a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the client's needs. My approach to the ever increasing demand for managing mood disorders continues to evolve in today's challenging world. I employ humor and novel perspectives in bringing therapy to a broad range of people who otherwise might be put off by their idea of therapy. I think laughter is immensely therapeutic in the right moment, while never losing sight of the importance and gravity of suffering.
I especially enjoy and am motivated by the resilience and courage it takes to ask for help by anyone, at any age. They have attempted any number of creative ways to heal, some adaptive and some not so much. I would like to believe that there are more of these wounded, yet hopeful people. willing to partner with someone to discover the answers lying within.
Cash - $110 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Gravie
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
NC State Health Plan
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Also known as the "third wave of Cognitive Therapy", this modality takes many of the key aspects of other therapies and expands the approach to how we think into mindfulness, acceptance, being in the present moment and acknowledging perspective taking. The ability to distinguish maladaptive thoughts from adaptive, healthier thoughts and detach from them enables us to more easily regulate our mood. In therapy we identify our values, goals, committed action, our experience and belief systems and find perspectives that will promote psychological flexibility to weather challenges and remain true to ourselves and loved ones.
i have been using EMDR since 2007 and have found it invaluable in treatment of trauma, addiction, anxiety and attachment disorders. I find treating co-occurring trauma and addiction through a dual approach, partnering EMDR with cognitive behavioral techniques, effective with highly resistant subtance use disorders
The idea is to examine the influence of thoughts on feelings and subsequent "consequences" of those thoughts. By assessing the impact of our "maladaptive cognitions" or "cognitive errors" and then intentionally disputing those errors, placing them in a more adaptive framework (perspective taking) we come to arrive at more healthy and less painful shifts of our core unhealthy beliefs, resulting in a more realistic and tolerable consequence that is in alignment with reality. Shakespeare said, "Things are neither good nor bad, but thinking makes them so."
19 ratings with written reviews
September 2, 2026
Thank you, Stephen, for partnering with me on this journey. I’m curious and optimistic about seeing where this next chapter takes me.
August 19, 2026
Stephen is an active listener and is open and warm. I truly believe he is there to help.
July 22, 2026
Lets me talk about whatever is on my mind & a priority for me to discuss that day. Then listens & responds very intuitively, reassuring me & helping me feel empowered to take encouraging steps forward in my life.