- Family of origin issues
- CBT and EMDR
- Stress and anxiety
About Stephen
Stephen Creel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 24 years of experience based in California. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, and parenting strain. Stephen also focuses on problems like codependency, grief, guilt and shame, and issues tied to one’s family of origin.
He trained at Pepperdine University, earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2001. Early in his life he worked as a musician in Hollywood clubs, an experience he says shaped his view of risk, disappointment, and resilience. That background led him to value practical, down-to-earth work in therapy.
Stephen draws on Client-Centered Therapy to build a working relationship and to help people name what’s happening for them. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior. For people affected by traumatic memories, he also uses EMDR and trauma-focused methods when appropriate.
In sessions he treats therapy as a collaboration - two people looking for what’s getting in the way and how to change it. He often frames problems as rooted in self-beliefs such as not being good enough or not being wanted, and then helps people test and revise those beliefs.
His practical aim is to help people reduce symptoms and regain day-to-day balance. He has worked in residential treatment settings and private practice treating substance use, mood disorders, panic, post-traumatic stress, and process addictions. Sessions are conducted in English and reflect his long experience with addiction and trauma-related concerns.
How his approaches translate to online work
Stephen uses Client-Centered Therapy to establish a collaborative working relationship, focusing on listening and helping people name what feels wrong. This approach helps when someone wants to clarify patterns that began in their family of origin and how those patterns show up now.He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to practice small changes that reduce anxiety, depression, or addictive patterns. For clients dealing with traumatic memories, he incorporates EMDR and trauma-focused techniques to process difficult material when those methods are appropriate.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will discuss options with each person and together decide which methods fit the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative decision guides session structure and pacing.
The exact session formats offered should be confirmed before booking. If you want to fit therapy into a busy life, online sessions can make scheduling easier and can reduce travel time. Some formats may allow shorter check-ins or sessions without video when that better fits a particular day or setting. Confirm current session options before you schedule to match timing and format to your routine.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
California, Texas, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, grief, and related issues such as guilt, shame, and codependency.
What style of therapy does he use?
He practices Client-Centered Therapy and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change thought and behavior patterns. He also incorporates EMDR and trauma-focused methods for trauma-related concerns.
How much experience does he have?
He has 24 years of clinical experience, including work in residential rehabs and private practice settings focused on addiction, trauma, and mood concerns.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
He is an LMFT licensed in Texas and California and is based in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.