Stephen Murphy, LICSW, MD, LCSW-C
Compassionate help for life's hard changes
Details
| Name | Stephen Murphy |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LICSW, MD, LCSW-C |
| Based in | Maryland |
| Licensed in | Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, District of Columbia, Maryland |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 10 |
About Stephen
Stephen Murphy is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health professional practicing in Maryland. He holds LICSW, MD, and LCSW-C credentials and brings ten years of experience to his work. He helps people facing anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and major life changes.
Stephen keeps sessions straightforward and practical. He listens first, then helps people name what matters and try small changes. He uses clear, everyday language so parents and busy adults can follow along.
Background and approach
His background includes work with stress, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, and ADHD. He also supports people dealing with parenting pressures, career transitions, and compassion fatigue. He pays attention to attachment and family patterns that shape current struggles.
Narrative therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are part of his toolbox, along with client-centered and cognitive behavioral approaches. He uses these methods to help people tell their stories differently and build actions that match their values. Sessions aim to combine listening with practical steps.
That might mean trying new communication habits, practicing grounding skills, or arranging small experiments between meetings. The focus is on what the person wants to change and what feels doable. Stephen welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and supports those exploring sexual orientation and identity.
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for flexible care. Getting started begins with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship issues among the things Stephen works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Depression
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Stephen among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Stephen directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Stephen directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and action-oriented therapy translate online
Stephen blends Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Attachment-Based ideas to guide online work. Narrative Therapy helps people separate themselves from their problems by looking at stories they tell about their lives and trying out new, more helpful narratives. ACT focuses on values and small actions, teaching practical ways to accept difficult feelings while making choices that fit what matters most. Attachment-Based work looks at early relationship patterns and how they shape current connections, helping people build clearer expectations and communication.Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. He discusses goals and preferences with each person and adjusts methods as needed. Together they decide whether to emphasize storytelling, values-based actions, skill practice, or relationship-focused work based on what the client wants to change.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules and different needs. Video calls let people see nonverbal cues and practice conversations in real time. Phone sessions work well when video is difficult or bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging make brief check-ins and coaching-style support possible between sessions. These options let people keep momentum while fitting therapy into work, school, and family life.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Stephen address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar, and ADHD among other issues.
What is his therapy style like?
Sessions are practical and conversational. He combines narrative techniques with ACT and CBT to help people reframe their stories and try new behaviors.
How long has he been practicing?
He has ten years of clinical experience working with adults on a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Where does he practice and what are his credentials?
He practices in Maryland and holds LICSW, MD, and LCSW-C credentials as listed in his profile.
Can I work with him if I live outside the U.S.?
International clients are accepted and sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How does pricing work?
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?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Stephen are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Stephen where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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