- Years in practice
- 32
- Credentials
- LPCC
- Licensed in
- Kentucky
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Stephen
Dr. Stephen Bentley is a licensed professional clinical counselor with more than three decades of experience. He focuses on helping people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, ADHD, and parenting concerns.
His approach is grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion. He builds a working relationship with each client first, and uses that relationship as the basis for change. Sessions draw on person-centered principles that prioritize the client's needs and goals.
Background and approach
He avoids labels and emphasizes acceptance as a key part of progress. Dr. Bentley combines several practical methods in his work.
He uses cognitive behavioral ideas to identify thoughts and behaviors that get in the way. He also incorporates attachment-focused material to look at relational patterns and Emotionally-Focused Therapy elements to address feelings and connection. Across his career he has worked in hospitals, provided crisis intervention, led groups, and supervised other clinicians.
That range gives him experience with issues such as trauma, abuse, chronic illness, and caregiver stress in addition to the core concerns listed earlier. In recent years he has provided therapy by telehealth and finds it a useful way to reach people who struggle to get into an office.
He describes his role as an agent of change who supports people as they take steps toward a more fulfilling life.
What Stephen works with
Everything Stephen lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Stephen helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- ADHD
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Traumatic brain injury
- Trichotillomania
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Stephen lists
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How his approaches translate to online therapy
Dr. Bentley uses client-centered methods that place the person's goals at the center of the work. This means conversations begin with what the client wants to change, and sessions are paced to fit their needs. Attachment-Based Therapy informs how he looks at relationship patterns and emotional responses that show up in daily life, which can help with parenting concerns and intimacy-related issues.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. He will discuss options, try different techniques, and adjust based on how well they match a client's goals and preferences. Clients are invited to give feedback so the plan can be shaped together rather than imposed.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls let people connect face to face when that helps build rapport. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging work well for quick check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, or when writing helps someone organize thoughts. These options give flexibility to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or travel while keeping the focus on steady progress.
Questions people ask about Stephen
What concerns does he address?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, ADHD, parenting concerns, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and a wide range of other life challenges.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He favors a person-centered approach that starts with forming a working relationship. He blends cognitive behavioral, attachment, emotionally-focused, mindfulness, and psychodynamic ideas as needed.
How much experience does he have?
He brings 32 years of clinical experience, including hospital-based group and individual therapy, crisis intervention, clinical supervision, and practice leadership.
Where is he located and what are his credentials?
He is based in Kentucky and holds the LPCC credential listed as KY LPCC.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered?
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to his availability.
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