- CBT strategies
- Client-centered work
- Goal oriented
About Steven
Steven Lai is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania with 32 years of clinical social work experience. He focuses on practical problem solving and goal-oriented work for people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, and anger. He also addresses issues around intimacy, eating and sleeping problems, parenting, self esteem, career questions, bipolar disorder, prejudice and discrimination, and self-love.
He uses straightforward talk and active strategies in sessions. He often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts. He also works in a client-centered way, listening to what matters most to the person and shaping goals from that starting point.
Steven’s background includes roles as a therapist, case manager, clinical supervisor, and mental health clinic director. That mix gives him wide experience with both short-term problem solving and longer-term needs. He brings practical tools and discussion to sessions rather than abstract theory.
Sessions focus on identifying specific patterns that fuel anger and frustration, then testing small changes that reduce their impact. He can help people notice what triggers reactive behavior, reframe automatic thoughts, and build steps to handle tense moments differently.
His style is direct and respectful. He aims to help people make steady, measurable changes and to keep momentum once new habits begin to form.
How his approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person’s goals. The therapist reflectively listens, clarifies what matters most, and helps shape achievable steps. This approach helps when someone needs to talk through relationship or family concerns and set clear goals.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses specific techniques to identify automatic thoughts, test them, and try new behaviors. CBT is often used for anger, anxiety, depression, and sleep or eating problems because it emphasizes concrete skills to try between sessions.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which approach or combination fits their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision can shift as progress is made or new issues appear.
Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, shorten travel time, and allow quick check-ins between appointments. Different formats can also suit quieter conversations, shorter problem-focused visits, or longer skill-building sessions depending on what you and the therapist decide.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
32+ years
Listed in
Pennsylvania
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
Which kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, anger, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting, self esteem, career matters, and bipolar disorder.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He uses goal-oriented, problem-solving work and listens to what each person wants to change. Sessions mix discussion with practical strategies to test between meetings.
How much experience does he bring?
He has practiced clinical social work for 32 years, including roles as therapist, case manager, clinical supervisor, and mental health clinic director.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Pennsylvania.
Can I work with him in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he take clients from other countries?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.