About Stephen

Stephen Barine is a licensed clinical mental health counselor with 17 years of experience based in North Carolina. He helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, anger, grief, or big life changes. He also supports clients coping with relationship strain, parenting challenges, and concerns around focus and attention such as ADHD.

He aims to make sessions straightforward and nonjudgmental. People can expect a calm, respectful space to talk through what is hard and to set small, useful goals.

Background and approach

He listens closely and works at the client’s pace. Stephen uses practical strategies drawn from cognitive behavioral approaches and mindfulness to help manage symptoms and build new habits. He also draws on acceptance and commitment ideas to help people clarify values and take gradual steps toward them.

Dialectical skills can be added when people need help with intense emotions or better distress tolerance. Sessions often focus on clear steps clients can try between meetings, like short behavioral experiments or focused attention practices. He also helps people improve communication and navigate multicultural or immigration-related stresses when those issues come up.

The approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive. Clients can expect work that balances immediate coping skills with longer-term changes. Stephen helps people track progress and adjust plans over time.

He encourages practical solutions that fit everyday life and the client’s goals.

How Stephen Uses Evidence-Based Approaches Online

Stephen draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to help people identify unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors. CBT often focuses on small, practical changes that reduce anxiety and improve daily functioning. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also part of his work and helps people clarify what matters to them, then take committed steps toward those values even when difficult feelings are present.

He emphasizes a collaborative process to find the right approach. Early sessions are used to talk about goals, try a few methods, and adjust based on what works and what doesn’t. The therapist and client decide together whether to emphasize skills training, mindfulness practices, values work, or a mix of approaches over time.

Online formats offer concrete benefits for this work. Video calls allow real-time conversation and shared exercises, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text-based messaging can support short check-ins, coping prompts, or between-session coaching. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to practice skills in real-world moments.

Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
Stephen helps people with stress, anxiety, anger, grief, relationship strain, parenting challenges, self-esteem, career changes, ADHD, and coping with life transitions.
What is the therapist's style in sessions?
He creates a nonjudgmental environment and works collaboratively, offering listening, practical steps, and short exercises to try between sessions.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Stephen has 17 years of professional experience working in mental health settings and with individual clients.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He holds the LCMHC credential and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are delivered through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's listed availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
17 years
Licensed
North Carolina
Languages
English

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.