- Person-centered
- Grief and loss
- Practical strategies
About Stephen
Dr. Stephen Bentley helps people who are worn out, stressed, or grieving. He writes simply and listens closely to what matters to each person. His work is grounded in respect, patience, and steady support.
He has worked as a therapist for 32 years and holds the LPCC credential. He has led and supervised a practice for more than ten years and has been with the same company for the past twenty years. That background includes hospital work, group and individual therapy, and crisis intervention.
People come to him for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, ADHD, relationship and intimacy issues, and grief. He also addresses caregiving stress, chronic illness, attachment concerns, and life changes tied to aging, adoption, or loss.
His style is person-centered. Sessions begin by building a working relationship and focusing on what the client says they need. He avoids stigmatizing labels and emphasizes acceptance as the foundation for change.
Dr. Bentley blends practical methods to match a person’s needs. He draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to tackle unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, attachment ideas to look at relationship patterns, emotionally-focused work to notice feelings, and mindfulness to steady attention. He describes himself as an agent of change and aims to walk alongside people as they try different ways to feel better.
If someone needs to start with remote sessions, he has used tele-health as a useful tool since the COVID-19 period. To begin, readers are invited to follow the site’s process for matching and scheduling.
He has worked as a therapist for 32 years and holds the LPCC credential. He has led and supervised a practice for more than ten years and has been with the same company for the past twenty years. That background includes hospital work, group and individual therapy, and crisis intervention.
People come to him for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, ADHD, relationship and intimacy issues, and grief. He also addresses caregiving stress, chronic illness, attachment concerns, and life changes tied to aging, adoption, or loss.
His style is person-centered. Sessions begin by building a working relationship and focusing on what the client says they need. He avoids stigmatizing labels and emphasizes acceptance as the foundation for change.
Dr. Bentley blends practical methods to match a person’s needs. He draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to tackle unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, attachment ideas to look at relationship patterns, emotionally-focused work to notice feelings, and mindfulness to steady attention. He describes himself as an agent of change and aims to walk alongside people as they try different ways to feel better.
If someone needs to start with remote sessions, he has used tele-health as a useful tool since the COVID-19 period. To begin, readers are invited to follow the site’s process for matching and scheduling.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
32+ years
Credentials
Kentucky
Languages
English
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Dr. Bentley uses client-centered work to build a helpful relationship online. That means the first focus is listening and understanding what the person says they need, then shaping sessions around those priorities.He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques in remote sessions to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. These are practical steps like tracking patterns, trying small behavior experiments, and practicing new coping skills between meetings. Mindfulness work is used to help people steady attention, manage stress, and notice feelings without getting overwhelmed.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He will collaborate with each person to decide which methods feel most useful for their goals and daily life, and adjust as progress is made.
The biography notes tele-health has been effective in his practice since the COVID-19 period. Confirm current session options before booking so you know which remote formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so people can focus on the work itself.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does this therapist address?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, ADHD, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, caregiver stress, and related challenges.
What is his general therapy approach?
He uses a person-centered style that builds a working relationship first. Then he blends cognitive behavioral, attachment, emotionally-focused, psychodynamic, and mindfulness ideas to fit each person.
How much experience does he have?
He has 32 years of clinical experience, including hospital-based group and individual therapy, crisis intervention, and more than ten years as a director and supervisor.
Where is he licensed and based?
He holds the LPCC credential and is licensed as KY LPCC in Kentucky.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, and he is able to work with international clients.
What session formats are available?
The biography mentions tele-health as an effective tool he has used. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.