CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

SC Portrait of Stephen Carenza

Stephen Carenza

Compassionate, practical therapy for everyday struggles

LCSW New Jersey

Experience
8 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Parenting
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Stephen

About Stephen

Stephen Carenza is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New Jersey who focuses on helping adults navigate stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and a range of life transitions.

Background and approach

He brings eight years of contemporary clinical experience to his work and uses collaborative, goal-oriented methods to help clients build practical coping skills and clarify personal priorities. His style blends structured, evidence-informed techniques with explorations of personal history and strengths.

Stephen draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop behavioral strategies, together with psychodynamic perspectives that explore underlying feelings and recurring themes. Solution-Focused Therapy is also part of his toolkit, providing brief, actionable steps toward change.

Stephen welcomes individuals seeking support for issues such as parenting stress, sleep disruption, impulsivity, mood concerns, attachment and adoption-related struggles, and coaching around life purpose. He offers live video, phone, chat, and text-based sessions, and works with a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

Prospective clients in New Jersey can begin by completing a short matching questionnaire and scheduling according to his availability.

Online Approaches That Balance Insight and Action

Stephen commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy in online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering concrete strategies for problems like anxiety, sleep disruption, and mood swings. Psychodynamic work explores recurring feelings and relationship patterns to deepen self-understanding and address issues rooted in past experiences.

Choosing the right method is a collaborative process. Stephen works with each person to match approaches to their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds so therapy remains practical and personally meaningful.

Online delivery makes it easier to access care without commuting, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats provide flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules and allow for ongoing support between sessions when helpful.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he address?
Stephen works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting issues, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, anger, self esteem, and life transitions.
How would you describe his therapeutic approach?
He blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with psychodynamic reflection and Solution-Focused Therapy to combine skill-building, exploration of underlying patterns, and concrete steps toward change.
What is his clinical background and experience?
Stephen has eight years of clinical practice and a broader background in social work that informs his therapeutic perspective and interventions.
Where is he licensed and available to practice?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New Jersey with licence number NJ LCSW 44SC06026900.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats does he provide?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are costs and payments structured?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to his availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCommitment issuesDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily problemsGuilt and shameImpulsivityJealousyLife purposeMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Psychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

New Jersey

Languages

English