- Stress and anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Young adult issues
About Laurel
Laurel Stephens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Registered (LCSW-R) practicing in New York with 20 years of professional experience. She works with people who are managing stress, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, family conflict, and trauma and abuse. Laurel also focuses on issues such as blended family concerns, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, and young adult issues.
Laurel takes a straightforward, respectful approach in sessions. She treats clients as the experts on their own lives and brings her social work background to help shape goals. Conversations are practical and goal-focused, and she adjusts the way she talks and plans treatment to fit a person’s situation.
In therapy she helps people name what feels hard, sort priorities, and try small changes that can make daily life easier. Topics she commonly addresses include isolation and loneliness, social anxiety, life purpose, mood concerns, and recovery after traumatic events. She also supports people through pregnancy and childbirth related stress and the ripple effects of separation or blended family transitions.
Laurel emphasizes collaboration when setting goals. Sessions include discussing what is working, what isn’t, and trying options that match a person’s schedule and responsibilities. The pace is set together, with attention to realistic steps and everyday challenges.
Her practice is based in New York and she works in English. People who are outside the United States are not accepted for services. To begin, a short questionnaire is used to match goals and schedule a first appointment.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Laurel uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide work on common problems. One approach focuses on identifying and changing patterns that maintain anxiety and low mood, through practical steps and behavioral experiments that can be tried between sessions. Another approach addresses the effects of trauma and abuse by helping people process troubling memories and build coping strategies for triggers and flashbacks.Finding the right method is part of the process. Laurel will collaborate with each person to choose approaches that fit their goals, daily life, and what they prefer. She checks in regularly and adjusts methods based on progress and feedback.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow quicker check-ins during a workday or study break. Some formats also let people talk without being on camera or use shorter sessions when time is tight. Talk with Laurel during the matching step to confirm which online session formats are offered and which will suit specific needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, trauma and parenting concerns, plus related issues like isolation and life purpose.
What is her style of therapy?
Her approach is collaborative and goal-focused. Clients set priorities and she brings social work experience to shape options and next steps.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional work experience in social work and clinical practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Registered (LCSW-R) licensed in New York and practices there.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start therapy?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.