I'm a firm believer that a sense of humor is essential in dealing with life's challenges, and although I take my work and my clients seriously, I never take myself too seriously. Seeking help is difficult enough, and it's my job to make the process easier by offering my clients a warm, empathic, and safe place to address their challenges. If you are struggling with a particular issue, or simply looking for a safe place to express yourself, I'm excited to begin the process with you.
I am a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience, and am currently licensed in Virginia and Louisiana. I was excited to join the BetterHelp team because I have always believed that mental health services are more effective in a range of formats, and in a manner that makes them accessible anytime and anywhere. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, addiction, chronic pain and health issues, and adjusting to many of the challenges life throws our way. I utilize a client-centered approach (meaning that YOU are the expert on you) that will allow you to identify your own strengths and resources, as well as cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches.
I look forward to speaking with you!
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Control issues, Dependent Personality, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Fertility Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Trichotillomania, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Steven Abney. 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.
Dr. Abney quite literally is one of the only reasons I have made any progress with my mental health. I've done sessions with multiple psychologists and Dr. Abney takes the cake, hands down. He is just a down to earth, good person who can give you solutions to your problems.
Written on May 17, 2021 after therapy with Steven for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coaching, and adhd
Very empathetic and compassionate person who's very relaxed and easy to talk to. He's amazing and very insightful.
Written on Apr 20, 2021 after therapy with Steven for 4 months on issues concerning depression, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, career difficulties, and adhd
I highly recommend and trust Dr. Abney as a therapist/counselor/doctor. Words are not enough to describe how professional and perfect he is. His talent for turning negative thoughts and situations into positive ones in such a unique way, convert weaknesses into strengths, providing the foundations so we can understand, accept, and love our own self and see life in a better perspective. Most of us might find it hard to speak to a therapist/ counselor (at least, I did before finding Dr. Abney!) and he has a magic way to make it so simple. Thanks a million, Dr. Abney!!
Written on Dec 06, 2020 after therapy with Steven for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Out of all the doctors and therapists I have met with, Dr. Abney has been the easiest to talk to. My first phone session with him was very easy to have. I didn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable. I’ve had to deal with things in my own for so long, and at times I grow tired because I just want to be fixed. But in that one session, the realizations and the assumptions I have made on my own were validated by him. And I actually felt like I made a little progress in my healing. He let me ramble and understood what I was trying to say and make sense of. I can’t wait for my next session.
Written on Nov 21, 2020 after therapy with Steven for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and bipolar disorder
I really like Dr. Abney. He is kind and very helpful. Highly recommend.
Written on Nov 14, 2020 after therapy with Steven for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and career difficulties