- Collaborative approach
- Practical coping skills
- Trauma-informed care
About Stephen
Stephen Creel is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 24 years of clinical experience. He draws on a straightforward, collaborative style to help people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, and codependency. Stephen writes plainly and listens carefully to what matters most to each person who comes in.
Before therapy he worked as a drummer in Hollywood clubs, a time that brought both joy and hard lessons. That background shaped his belief that many struggles come from feeling not good enough or not wanted. He uses that insight to help people spot the harmful beliefs that keep them stuck.
Stephen trained at Pepperdine University, earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2001. Since then he has worked in rehabilitation settings and private practice supporting recovery from substance use, post-traumatic reactions, mood problems, and related concerns. He brings practical, experience-rooted guidance rather than clinical jargon.
In sessions he emphasizes teamwork. He works with clients to identify the thoughts and behaviors that cause pain, and then to try different ways of thinking and acting. That can mean building new coping skills, facing old trauma, or reducing addictive behaviors step by step.
People who choose Stephen can expect clear conversation, direct feedback, and a focus on everyday changes that matter. He aims to help people live more authentically and feel more at rest with themselves.
Approaches for online healing and practical change
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a respectful relationship so people feel heard and understood. It helps when someone needs a calm place to sort thoughts and decide what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts shape feelings and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns, which can help with anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, is a trauma-focused method used to reduce the emotional charge of painful memories and can be helpful for post-traumatic stress and deep trauma reactions.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, history, and what feels most useful. That lets them choose together whether to focus on skill-building, processing trauma, or a mix of methods that fits the individual's needs.
Confirm the current session formats before booking so you know what to expect. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, avoid travel time, and keep continuity during major life changes. It also allows some people to focus on short skills sessions or to use longer sessions for trauma processing depending on what they need. Licensed professionals tailor the session length and pacing to match daily life and treatment goals.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Credentials
California, Texas, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
Stephen supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma and codependency among other concerns.
What is his therapy style like?
He practices a collaborative, client-centered style that combines practical skill building with trauma-focused work and cognitive approaches.
How long has he been practicing?
He brings 24 years of clinical experience, including work in rehabilitation settings and private practice.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with licenses in Texas and California and is based in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with international clients?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a session with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.