- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- LGBT support
About Stephen
Stephen Mclaughlin is a BACP-registered counsellor practising in the United Kingdom with five years of private practice experience. He works with young adults and others dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and LGBT matters. He also supports concerns such as panic, social anxiety, self-harm and issues around identity and sexuality.
Stephen uses direct conversation to help people untangle overwhelming thoughts and intense feelings. Sessions focus on understanding the personal stories that shape reactions and behaviour. That includes looking at attachment and abandonment themes and how early experiences influence current relationships.
His background includes a Postgraduate Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Transactional Analysis, plus a qualification in Person Centred Counselling Skills. He draws on those frameworks to help clarify patterns and offer practical ways to respond differently to stress and emotional triggers.
In practical terms sessions involve exploring what matters most right now, naming unhelpful patterns, and trying new ways of responding. He welcomes discussion about sexuality, men's mental health, autism-related experiences and shame or guilt issues. Work can be focused short term or longer term depending on the person's needs.
Stephen describes therapy as collaborative. He helps people make sense of feelings, rebuild day-to-day coping, and shift how they relate to others and themselves. People looking for support after university, when starting work, or while navigating new relationships may find this approach relevant.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Stephen draws on Transactional Analysis and Person Centred counselling skills. Transactional Analysis looks at the roles and scripts people repeat and helps identify unhelpful interaction patterns. It can be useful for relationship problems, attachment issues and understanding why certain situations trigger strong reactions.Person Centred counselling skills focus on clear listening and reflecting what someone says so they can make sense of their own feelings. This approach helps when someone is overwhelmed, struggling to name emotions, or wants to build self-understanding and self-respect.
Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide what methods make sense based on your goals and how you respond. That decision can change over time as practical needs and priorities shift.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking because the profile does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy around study, early career hours or busy social lives. It also allows brief check-ins or longer sessions without travel, and can help maintain continuity when schedules change. Confirm current session options and frequency with the therapist when you arrange your first appointment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He supports stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and LGBT concerns, plus related issues such as panic, social anxiety and self-harm.
What is his counselling style like?
He works conversationally to identify repeating patterns and personal stories that shape feelings. Sessions aim to understand what is happening now and try different ways of responding.
How much experience does he have?
Stephen has five years of private practice experience working with adults on a range of emotional and relational issues.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is registered with the BACP and practises in the United Kingdom.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start if I want to try sessions?
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.