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SE Portrait of Stephen Edwards

Stephen Edwards

Practical, goal-focused therapy for life challenges

About Stephen

Stephen Edwards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a decade of experience in social services. He draws on practical, evidence-informed methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, mood disorders, and challenges around self-esteem and depression.

Background and approach

His practice also focuses on issues related to LGBT identity, relationship and family concerns, career stress, and bipolar disorder, bringing a grounded, goal-oriented approach to each client. Edwards combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to support clients in building healthier habits, clarifying values, and improving daily functioning.

He also works with a range of specific concerns including blended family issues, commitment and fatherhood questions, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, men’s issues, multicultural considerations, seasonal affective disorder, sexuality, and workplace problems.

Sessions are arranged directly with him and he asks clients to be prepared for video meetings due to limited availability and his requirement that sessions occur while stationary and alone. Located in Illinois, he communicates in English and offers multiple online session formats.

His practice aims to help people find clarity, set boundaries, and make meaningful changes through collaborative, structured work.

Online approaches that support change



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It provides practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, mood symptoms, and workplace stress by teaching strategies that can be used between sessions.

Motivational Interviewing helps people explore their own reasons for change and build internal motivation. This approach is useful for addressing ambivalence around life transitions, commitment issues, career decisions, and patterns that clients want to alter.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and this work is collaborative. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and daily realities with each person to determine whether CBT, Motivational Interviewing, or a combination will best support progress.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, maintain continuity during life changes, and access care from a convenient location. Edwards requires video sessions for active clients and asks that participants be stationary and alone during meetings to ensure focused, effective work.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Stephen commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, LGBT concerns, relationship and family issues, career stress, and bipolar disorder. Additional focuses include blended family issues, commitment issues, divorce and separation, fatherhood issues, guilt and shame, men's issues, mood disorders, multicultural concerns, seasonal affective disorder, sexuality, and workplace issues.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and employs Motivational Interviewing to support motivation and readiness for change. The overall style is collaborative and goal-oriented.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 10 years of experience in the social services field working with a variety of concerns and populations. That background informs his practical, skills-based approach to therapy.
What credentials and location are associated with his practice?
He is an LCSW licensed in Illinois; the provided license details are IL LCSW 149020655 and NC LCSW C013537. His practice is based in Illinois.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English only. International clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session formats. He requires video sessions for clients he is actively working with and asks that clients be stationary and alone during those meetings.
How are sessions priced and paid for?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the client’s location and scheduling.
What are the steps to begin therapy with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule according to therapist availability. He tends to schedule meetings directly due to limited availability.

Specialties and expertise

Experience
10 years
Licensed
Illinois, North Carolina
Languages
English