Stephen Murphy, LICSW, LCSW-C

Stephen Murphy is a licensed clinical social worker with ten years of experience helping people untangle difficult feelings. He holds LICSW and LCSW-C credentials and practices from Maryland while maintaining licenses in multiple states. He aims to make therapy straightforward and practical for people under stress.

He creates a calm space where people can talk through anxiety, depression, and relationship worries. Sessions focus on concrete steps you can try between meetings. He pays attention to identity, LGBT concerns, and the challenges that come with parenting or caring for others.

Stephen uses several well-established approaches to tailor care to each person. He draws on cognitive-behavioral tools to address unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. He also incorporates acceptance and commitment ideas to help people live by their values despite painful feelings.

Attachment-informed work helps when early relationships shape current struggles. Dialectical skills are used when strong emotions feel overwhelming. His client-centered stance keeps each person’s goals and pace at the forefront of sessions.

Practical topics he often addresses include workplace stress, addiction concerns, grief, ADHD-related challenges, and coping with major life changes. Parents and caregivers can find ways to manage caregiver stress and blended family issues. He helps with communication, commitment concerns, and rebuilding trust after separation or abuse.

People who choose Stephen can expect a respectful, down-to-earth approach that focuses on what will help now. He works collaboratively to set goals and checks in on progress as therapy continues.

Therapeutic approaches you may use in online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while they practice actions that match their values. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and life changes where people want clearer direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact and teaches practical strategies to change patterns that cause distress. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress that interfere with daily life.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current ways of relating, and it helps people develop new ways to connect and regulate emotion. This can be especially relevant for those dealing with trust, abandonment, or attachment concerns. The therapist will help you figure out which approach or combination fits best. Deciding on methods is collaborative and based on your goals, needs, and preferences rather than a fixed plan.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing appointments from different locations. It also makes continuity easier during transitions or when schedules change. The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. A collaborative conversation about format and goals happens early so sessions can match everyday routines and needs.