Steven Murray

Steven Murray is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan with five decades of experience in mental health. He draws on a long career across hospitals, clinics, group homes, and schools. He frames his role as a coach and cheerleader, offering support, encouragement, and practical direction when needed. He uses plain language and a sense of humor to make sessions feel down-to-earth and approachable.

Over his career Steven has worked with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addiction, and relationship concerns. He also addresses issues such as sleep problems, grief, parenting strain, anger, bipolar concerns, and attention challenges. He has experience with long-term and complex mental health conditions and with diverse life stages.

His practice brings together cognitive behavioral ideas with acceptance and commitment and attachment-informed perspectives. In sessions he helps people notice unhelpful patterns, try small experiments, and choose actions that match their values. He also uses motivational interviewing to support change and clear communication skills to help with relationship strain.

Steven values technology and independent living; he finds practical tools like music and routines helpful for day-to-day coping. He encourages straightforward goals and steady progress rather than quick fixes. He aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters to them.

People who prefer a coach-like therapist who mixes practical strategies and human warmth may find his approach useful. If moving at a steady, goal-focused pace with occasional humor appeals to you, he may be a good match.

How therapeutic approaches guide online sessions

Steven commonly draws on Trauma-Focused Therapy to help people process difficult memories and reduce the hold those memories have on daily life. This approach focuses on practical steps to manage reactions and build safety and coping skills.

He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people clarify what matters to them and take small, values-based steps even when feelings are hard. ACT often involves simple exercises to notice thoughts and commit to actions that fit personal goals.

Attachment-Based Therapy appears in his work as an emphasis on relationship patterns and how early connections shape current trust and communication. That perspective helps with intimacy-related concerns and with rebuilding more secure ways of relating.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will work with each person to try methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust over time based on what helps.

Confirm the current online session options before booking, since specific formats are not listed here. Many people find online or remote options helpful for fitting therapy into busy days, keeping appointments during travel or illness, and reducing time spent commuting. Others prefer shorter check-ins by phone when bandwidth or attention is limited. Talk with the therapist to pick a schedule and format that fits everyday life.