I am a licensed clinical Psychologist in California and Hawaii with over 10 years of experience working as a therapist and patient advocate. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD, and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. Many patients have come from an LGBTQIA+ background. I have worked in institutional and community settings, including hospitals.
My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating every person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I do not believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic, solution focused and existentialism. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs and choices.
It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you.
I look forward to working with you!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Aging and geriatric issues, Antisocial personality, Avoidant personality, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Family problems, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hearing impaired, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Sexuality, Traumatic brain injury, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
HI Psychologist PSY-2024
CA Psychologist 31092
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Stephen Gutknecht. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Great Therapist! Always has responses that make me think.
Written on Aug 31, 2023 after therapy with Stephen for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Dr. Gutknecht is very timely, helpful, and insightful. I greatly appreciated his advice and sessions!
Written on Feb 25, 2023 after therapy with Stephen for 1 month