Great Therapist! Always has responses that make me think.
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht, Psychologist
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Stephen is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Stephen. View 2 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California and Hawaii
Recent reviews
Dr. Gutknecht is very timely, helpful, and insightful. I greatly appreciated his advice and sessions!
More about Stephen
- 10 years' experience
- Male
- Psychologist
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!
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
LGBT
Self esteem
Bipolar disorder
Depression
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
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1811352628.
- Psychologist · California · 31092 · Expires July 2025
- Psychologist · Hawaii · PSY-2024 · Expires June 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Dr. Stephen Gutknecht
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Great Therapist! Always has responses that make me think.
Dr. Gutknecht is very timely, helpful, and insightful. I greatly appreciated his advice and sessions!
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Stephen Gutknecht offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Dr. Stephen Gutknecht works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Dr. Stephen Gutknecht speak?
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht speaks English.
How many years of experience does Dr. Stephen Gutknecht have?
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht has 10 years of experience.
Where is Dr. Stephen Gutknecht licensed to practice?
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht is licensed to practice in California and Hawaii.
Does Dr. Stephen Gutknecht accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Dr. Stephen Gutknecht does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Dr. Stephen Gutknecht offer?
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Dr. Stephen Gutknecht?
Dr. Stephen Gutknecht can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Dr. Stephen Gutknecht?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.