Stephen Murphy, LICSW, LCSW-C

Stephen Murphy is a licensed clinical social worker with ten years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship strain. He practices in Maryland and holds credentials as LICSW and LCSW-C. His style is warm and straightforward and focused on practical steps people can use right away.

He aims to make sessions a space to talk through immediate problems and plan small changes. Stephen uses plain language and concrete tools rather than lengthy theory. He pays attention to identity and life stage, including issues that affect older adults, and he will listen closely to each person’s story.

Stephen blends several evidence-based approaches to fit each client. He often uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He draws on acceptance and commitment ideas to help people clarify values and take realistic steps toward them.

Attachment-focused work shows up when relationship patterns are part of the concern. Dialectical skills are used when emotions feel intense or overwhelming. The overall aim is to give people skills they can practice between sessions and to build steadier day-to-day coping.

People who prefer direct feedback and step-by-step approaches tend to do well with his style. He also works with identity issues, caregiving stress, addictions, grief, ADHD, and many life transitions. Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients; confirm current session options before booking.

Therapeutic approaches online and how they help

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people get clear on what matters to them and take small, values-based steps even when feelings are difficult. It’s useful for stress, anxiety, and big life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on noticing patterns of thinking and behavior and trying small experiments to change them; it often helps with anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current connections and communication, and it can help people improve trust and closeness in their relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which techniques to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm what is offered before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit care into a busy life - for example it can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-in meetings, or make it simpler to schedule sessions around work or caregiving duties. Licensed professionals can guide practical skill-building, help structure between-session practice, and support people working through transitions from wherever they connect. Online work can still include hands-on tools like behavioral experiments, values exercises, and skills practice tailored to daily routines.