Stephen Dexter , LCPC

Stephen Dexter is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Maine with 12 years of clinical experience. He combines long-term work with families and intensive substance use treatment to support people facing addiction, trauma, relationship struggles, and a wide range of emotional challenges. His background includes three years as an in-home counselor for children ages 6 to 16 and many years specializing in intensive substance use and co-occurring disorders. He brings experience in one-on-one, couples, in-home, and group counseling settings and draws on that variety to tailor care to each person’s circumstances.

He is in recovery himself and integrates that lived experience with clinical training to offer practical, hope-centered guidance when clients feel stuck in addictive thinking or loss of purpose. His areas of focus include addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related concerns, anxiety, depression, eating and body image issues, parenting and caregiver stress, and challenges with anger, self-esteem, and life transitions. He also addresses family of origin issues, communication and codependency problems, dissociation, and co-occurring conditions.

Stephen approaches therapy from both evidence-informed and values-oriented perspectives, using clinical methods such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior therapy skills, Jungian ideas, and mindfulness practices. He is a Christian who encourages clients to explore and develop their own spirituality as part of healing when that aligns with their values. Stephen aims to help people clarify what feels most overwhelming, uncover practical pathways forward, and build skills and insight to navigate difficult circumstances.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Stephen Dexter uses client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as primary frameworks in his work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and creating a nonjudgmental space so individuals can explore values, identity, and relationships; it is useful for building self-esteem and navigating life changes. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and it helps address anxiety, depression, stress, and many patterns that maintain substance use or disordered eating. DBT teaches practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and coping with urges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Stephen works collaboratively with clients and licensed professionals to determine which methods best match each person’s needs, goals, and preferences. He tailors interventions and combines approaches when appropriate to create a personalized plan.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in this work through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, access care from different locations, and maintain continuity of support during transitions. Therapists can effectively teach skills, process difficult topics, and track progress using these remote modalities while adapting pace and format to each client’s comfort and needs.