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SB Portrait of Dr. Stephen Bentley

Dr. Stephen Bentley

Compassionate, experienced therapist focused on practical change

LPCC Kentucky

Experience
32 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages
English

About Stephen

Dr. Stephen Bentley brings more than three decades of clinical experience to his work, offering support for stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, ADHD, relationship concerns, grief, and many other life challenges.

Background and approach

He practices from a person-centered stance that emphasizes an accepting, respectful therapeutic relationship as the foundation for change. His biography notes roles as a director and clinical supervisor and long-term practice experience spanning hospital-based group and individual therapy, crisis intervention, and a broad caseload that has included autism, abuse recovery, and chronic mental health concerns.

Dr. Bentley integrates cognitive behavioral tools alongside attachment-focused and humanistic ideas to create a tailored framework for each client.

He describes therapy as a collaborative process that begins with forming a working partnership and believes clients' willingness to engage is central to progress. In recent years he has incorporated telehealth into his practice, finding video, phone, chat, and messaging formats to be practical options for people juggling busy schedules or who prefer not to attend in-person sessions.

His credential is LPCC and he practices from Kentucky offering services in English and accepting international clients.

Integrating Evidence-Based Approaches in Online Care



Dr. Bentley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, addictions, and many everyday stressors. He also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early and current relational patterns shape emotional responses and closeness in relationships, which can help with intimacy-related issues and attachment concerns. In addition, his person-centered orientation creates space for clients to guide the work while the therapist offers empathy and support as changes are explored.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process; he works with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and presenting issues rather than assuming a single path. This process often combines practical CBT strategies with relational and humanistic elements to meet each person where they are and adjust as progress unfolds.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people managing busy lives or geographical distance. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access sessions from a place that feels comfortable, while allowing therapists and clients to adapt pace and tools to the needs of the work.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Dr. Bentley address?
He works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, ADHD, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy-related matters, eating and parenting issues, anger, self esteem, career challenges, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
Expect a person-centered style that emphasizes acceptance and collaboration, with integration of cognitive behavioral techniques and other therapeutic approaches to fit individual needs.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 32 years of experience, including roles as a director and supervisor, work in hospital settings, crisis intervention, and long-term practice experience across many presenting concerns.
Where is Dr. Bentley licensed and what is his credential?
He holds the credential LPCC with license KY LPCC 104541 and practices from Kentucky.
Does he work with non-English or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
Which session formats are available for therapy?
Clients can connect via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and schedule.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with him?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to his availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

32+ years

Licensed

Kentucky

Languages

English