- Years in practice
- 32
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Pennsylvania
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Grief
About Steven
Steven Lai is a licensed clinical social worker with more than three decades of practice. He brings long experience working in clinics, supervising teams, and managing cases. He aims to help people who are stressed, anxious, grieving, struggling with addictions, or coping with mood and relationship problems.
He works in a straightforward, goal-focused way. Sessions tend to be problem solving and practical. He often uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to challenge unhelpful thoughts and boost skills for change.
Background and approach
Clients describe needing help with sleep, eating patterns, parenting, intimacy, anger, career decisions, or self-esteem concerns. He also supports people facing prejudice and discrimination and those working on self-love. He has worked with adults, adolescents, children, and families in previous roles, and brings that range to his practice.
Steven earned a Master of Social Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work in 1990 and holds the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, LCSW. He practices in Pennsylvania and offers sessions in English. His style is respectful and nonjudgmental.
He focuses on clear goals, steady progress, and practical steps so people can see change in daily life. He welcomes questions and starts by listening to what matters most to each person.
What Steven works with
Everything Steven lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Steven helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Grief
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
Approaches Steven lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How his approaches work online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person's priorities. The therapist follows the client's lead, offers empathy, and helps people clarify goals and values so they can make choices that fit their life. This approach can be useful for processing grief, building self-love, or sorting relationship and parenting concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, targets the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It uses clear, structured exercises to identify unhelpful thinking and build practical skills for mood, anxiety, sleep, eating, and anger management. CBT tends to involve homework and short-term skill building that translates well to online sessions.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past, then tailor techniques to match what the client needs. That teamwork helps adjust the plan over time if something isn’t working.
Online therapy offers flexibility for parents and busy people. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when more nuance is helpful. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging support quick check-ins, brief coaching, or between-session contact. These options make it easier to fit regular work on problems into a busy schedule.
Questions people ask about Steven
What kinds of concerns does this therapist help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, parenting, sleep and eating struggles, anger, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar concerns, and intimacy-related issues.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
His approach is patient-centered and goal oriented. He uses problem solving and evidence-based techniques to challenge negative thoughts and encourage practical change.
What is his background and experience?
He has practiced clinical social work for 32 years and has served as a therapist, case manager, clinical supervisor, and mental health clinic director.
What credentials and location are on file?
He holds the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, LCSW, and practices in Pennsylvania.
Which languages are offered and can international clients sign up?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and preferences.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule appointments based on the therapist's availability.
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