Stephen Creel, LMFT
Licensed LMFT specializing in trauma recovery
- Trauma and addiction
- Relationship and family
- Coping with change
About Stephen Creel
Stephen Creel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California who blends real-world experience with clinical training to support people facing addiction, trauma, mood concerns, and relationship struggles. Before entering the helping professions he spent years as a working musician and drummer in the clubs of Hollywood, a period that brought both excitement and disappointment and eventually guided him toward the healing potential of therapy. After deciding to change course, he earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2001 and has since built a practice focused on recovery and emotional growth.
With 24 years of professional experience, Stephen has worked in residential rehabs and private office settings helping people address substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, codependency, and related difficulties. He approaches therapy as a collaborative process - two people working together to identify what is painful and to find practical, lasting paths to change. Stephen often frames emotional problems as stemming from core, inaccurate beliefs about the self such as not being good enough, strong enough, or wanted enough, and he helps people recognize, challenge, and move beyond those limiting ideas.
Stephen combines empathic listening with evidence-informed techniques to help clients build greater authenticity, resilience, and ease in their lives. His work spans individual and relational issues, aiming to restore a sense of balance and purpose after setbacks and loss.
With 24 years of professional experience, Stephen has worked in residential rehabs and private office settings helping people address substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, codependency, and related difficulties. He approaches therapy as a collaborative process - two people working together to identify what is painful and to find practical, lasting paths to change. Stephen often frames emotional problems as stemming from core, inaccurate beliefs about the self such as not being good enough, strong enough, or wanted enough, and he helps people recognize, challenge, and move beyond those limiting ideas.
Stephen combines empathic listening with evidence-informed techniques to help clients build greater authenticity, resilience, and ease in their lives. His work spans individual and relational issues, aiming to restore a sense of balance and purpose after setbacks and loss.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
Additional Focus Areas
Caregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addiction
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Motivational Interviewing Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Stephen Creel have?
Stephen Creel has 24 years of experience.
Is Stephen Creel a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credential LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details are TX LMFT 204077 and CA LMFT 44523.
In which languages does Stephen Creel provide therapy?
English
Where is Stephen Creel located?
California
How can I work with Stephen Creel as my therapist?
You can work with Stephen Creel through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Stephen Creel work with international clients?
Stephen Creel does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Stephen Creel cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy
Stephen often uses client-centered therapy, an approach that emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration to help people explore their experiences and grow at their own pace. This approach supports issues like low self-esteem, grief, and relationship concerns by creating space for the client to be heard and understood.
He also integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and developing practical skills to reduce anxiety, depression, and problematic behaviors. CBT is goal-oriented and works well for those seeking structured tools and measurable progress.
For trauma-related concerns, Stephen incorporates EMDR, a trauma-focused method that helps people process troubling memories and reduce their emotional intensity. EMDR can be useful for post-traumatic stress and other trauma symptoms when applied by trained practitioners.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Stephen works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Licensed professionals and therapists may adapt techniques over time as the work evolves.
Online therapy offers practical benefits such as flexible scheduling and the ability to meet from home via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options can make it easier to maintain consistency in treatment and to access care that fits around work, family, and other responsibilities.