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Steven Lai, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Steven 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 Steven. View 67 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Pennsylvania

Recent reviews

Very responsive and empathetic

Reviewed November 2024

Very responsive and thoughtful!

Reviewed November 2024

More about Steven

  • 32 years' experience
  • Male
  • LCSW

Hello! I have successfully practiced clinical social work for over 30 years and have enjoyed helping the many clients I have counseled during my career. You will find me to be caring, understanding, respectful, nonjudgmental, knowledgeable and attentive to your needs. I have experience as a therapist /counselor, case manager, clinical supervisor and mental health clinic director, working with adults, adolescents and children and families and have been effective in helping my clients consistently achieve positive change. My number one objective is to help you feel better and resolve any difficult issues you are coping with. My approach is goal oriented and problem solving, often using cognitive behavioral therapy strategies and motivational interviewing techniques designed to challenge any negative thoughts and improve and maintain your motivation to make the changes needed to resolve issues and problems you are facing. I graduated from The Hunter School of Social Work in 1990 with a Master's Degree in Social Work in New York City and I am currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Pennsylvania.

I'm here to help you and look forward to working with you!

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Addictions Grief Depression Relationship issues Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Eating disorders Sleeping disorders Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Career difficulties Bipolar disorder Prejudice and discrimination Self-love

Treatment Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Licenses

Steven Lai's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1194958785.

  • LCSW · Pennsylvania · CW017158 · Expires February 2025

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, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.

Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.

Reviews for Steven Lai

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

67 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Helped Helpful Amazing Listens Recommend Great listener Excellent Helping Understanding

Very responsive and empathetic

Reviewed November 2024

Very responsive and thoughtful!

Reviewed November 2024

He is excellent! Great listener and also provides amazing feedback. I have had him as my therapist for over a year.

Reviewed August 2024

Has been there for me every step of the way

Reviewed August 2024

So far, our working relationship has been great.

Reviewed June 2024

Steven is thoughtful, kind, reflective and patient. He is a attentive and honest listener. I have appreciated his insights and encouragement.

Reviewed May 2024

He is patient with me

Reviewed July 2023

Reliable, receptive and encouraging. Steve offers biblically sound advice!

Reviewed November 2021

Steve is an excellent counselor. I appreciate his ability to show me different perspectives of my situation. He’s kind and empathetic and very responsive in his communications. I highly recommend Steve!

Reviewed August 2021

Steve is great. His unique perspective is helpful when I can't see the forest for the trees.

Reviewed March 2020

Steve is a knowledgeable person. He knows about a wide variety of subjects. he is also patient with me but helps me move forward. Thank you, Steve for sharing your insight and taking time to listen and to walk with me on this journey toward becoming more equipped for doing this thing called life.

Reviewed November 2019

I have been working with Steve for quite some time now (6+ months). He is absolutely fantastic at listening and helping you unlock your potential. I am a high performing Type-A personality and he truly has helped me begin to harness this in a healthy fashion rather than letting my drive take over my emotional state. This has lead to reduced stress and a larger awareness of the fact that I am NOT the center of the universe, but, rather, a part of it and I am here to do good work and love the people around me. If you're looking for a good Christian counselor who has a great deal of experience, Steve is the person you're looking for.

Reviewed July 2019

Steve is professional, thoughtful, patient, poses good questions, and makes helpful suggestions. He is quick to listen to slow to speak. Thankful for Steve.

Reviewed December 2018

I have had five sessions with Steven and I have appreciated his insight, advice, and understanding so far. It may sound simple but it's nice to have a therapist who truly meets you where you are and gives practical solutions to every day problems so early on in treatment. It's always hard to start therapy over again. Establishing that foundation again can be very trying and hard. But so far, that's been the farthest from the truth with Steve. :)

Reviewed January 2024

Steven is very patient, a great listener and always checking in to make sure everything is alright, couldn’t ask for more

Reviewed December 2023

Steven not only listens to your issues but offers a variety of tools help you to cope with them. He also goes out of his way to check in on you, and makes you feel cared about. His passion for helping people is shown by how much he truly cares about his patients. I would recommend Steven 10 out of 10 times.

Reviewed November 2023

I have been talking to Steve for over 6 months. He is really an amazing therapist. I am beyond grateful.

Reviewed August 2023

Steve was great, he listened and gave me great advice.

Reviewed June 2023

He is amazing. Always willing to go above and beyond what is expected from a therapist. I couldn't have gotten through this difficult time without his empathy and brilliant knowledge and expertise.

Reviewed March 2023

Just a true 10/10 for what has been a year of growth and support, could not possibly rate just 1/10 but if ten is the highest, so be it - 10.

Reviewed January 2023

He is amazing a great listener! I highly recommend!

Reviewed January 2023

Absolutely excellent, very understanding, response is impeccable. I think Mr. Lai really gets me so I would give 1,000 out of 100. Very good man.

Reviewed January 2023

Amazing listener he’s always checking up on me even when I am not responding which I really appreciate

Reviewed December 2022

Steve is a very compassionate and understanding counselor. He has asked me question to better understand myself and my thinking. He has change my mindset for the better and I look forward to having sessions with him every week. I recommend Steve for anyone dealing with internal struggles.

Reviewed December 2022

He's great, listens to my needs. He offers solutions and different perspectives I haven't thought about. He is quick to respond and reliable. Easy to talk to.

Reviewed November 2022

He’s really good at his job I feel comfortable to talk about the problems I’m experiencing.

Reviewed November 2022

He is great.

Reviewed November 2022

Steve is Awesome he know how to bring me up when I’m down and he really listen to me.

Reviewed September 2022

Steve is kind, compassionate, present, and very knowledgeable.

Reviewed July 2022

He is an extremely good listener and is also very kind.

Reviewed July 2022

Trust him very much.

Reviewed June 2022

Steve has been great. I have been working with him for about 2 months now and he's always been a great listener. He offers some advice and a different perspective of things when I feel stuck somewhere. He was immensely helpful in getting me out of a depression when I left my job, burned out, and receiving job rejections. He never pushes to talk about anything, but I know when I want to talk about something he will listen. He's great!

Reviewed June 2022

Dr. Lai has been a huge aid in helping me to manage stress and other personal challenges. He is a great listener that always offers well thought out and helpful advice. Dr. Lai is down-to-earth and easy to talk to.

Reviewed May 2022

He is amazing! A very good listener and he helps me come up with a plan and real steps to improve. I am an active participant in my healing with him! He has a very calm and soothing demeanor and it is helpful for me.

Reviewed April 2022

Me. Steve has been an amazing help in my life. I am extremely grateful for him.

Reviewed March 2022

Very caring

Reviewed November 2021

He's a great listener and is truly helping me.

Reviewed November 2021

Steve has helped me tremendously with my progress. Couldnt be more thankful to have him in my life.

Reviewed August 2021

Has helped me out immensely. Thoughtful, understanding and provides much needed perspective.

Reviewed July 2021

While working with Steve, I have been able to open up about topics that I have not shared with any other counselor. He has always made me feel heard and has offered me great ways to cope with past traumas.

Reviewed June 2021

Easy to talk to and very good advice/support!

Reviewed May 2021

Steve Lai is a solid, reliable counselor. He's compassionate but direct. He breaks issues down to their elements so things don't feel so very overwhelming.

Reviewed April 2021

I feel really blessed to have been matched with Steve, he is an excellent listener, does not dismiss not one feeling thought or opinion. He has an appropriate sense of humor and tells you like it is. I love it!! Mostly, I was having problems with my email, when I logged back in, several missed msgs of concern

Reviewed April 2021

I have only been working with Steve for a few weeks but I have already learned so many helpful strategies to help cope with various issues! He is extremely attentive and I feel open to express any feelings or thoughts with him. Very excited to keep working with him throughout the healing process!!

Reviewed February 2021

I love my couselor! He has helped me tremendously!

Reviewed February 2021

Steve is amazing. He listens and gives great insight. I was in a dark place when i first started. A few weeks later i felt alot more confident in myself.

Reviewed January 2021

Steve is awesome. I am so fortunate to have him.

Reviewed November 2020

Steve is top notch. Few counselors I’ve experienced (both on Betterhelp and in-person) have displayed such a great balance of listening and offering insight. He has helped me in many ways as I struggle with depression, anxiety, etc. I’d recommend his services to anyone who feels lost or overwhelmed. He has become an invaluable resource in regards to my mental health, relationships, and life in general.

Reviewed November 2020

Steve listens to you and has got your back. It is my first time seeking counseling and he has made it a fantastic experience!

Reviewed November 2020

I believe Steve to be very helpful and an active listener

Reviewed August 2020

Steve has a great sense of empathy, very much in tune with what you are discussing with him. I felt he actively listened to me and even paid attention to what I was not saying at times. I felt extremely comfortable discussing various issues with Steve in a very safe and non-judgmental environment. I can honestly say Steve helped me resolve a lot of personal issues. I looked forward to our sessions to learn more about myself and develop skills that I needed to improve upon- like my reactions to the overwhelming stress I have been dealing with for a long time. I would highly recommend Steve as well as BetterHelp to others in need of counseling.

Reviewed June 2020

Steve Lai has helped me with my anger / anxiety issues and has helped me cope better whenever these emotions come up. If you are willing to work with him, he will work with you.

Reviewed June 2020

Steve is an amazing and understanding counselor! He is always there when I need him, responds to all my messages and deals with all the drastic changes in my life with grace. He supports me always. Talking to him has greatly improved my mental state.

Reviewed May 2020

Steve is always available and listens carefully to my specific needs.

Reviewed March 2020

I can’t believe it’s been over 1 year now that I have been working with Steve. He’s been so supportive and really educational on so many levels when I have questions about how to manage through a challenging period in my life. It’s nice to have a solid history with him now, so we can dive right into whatever’s on my mind that week. To be able to email him about anything between sessions is also so helpful! I tell my kids all the time that I look forward to chatting with my counselor; he’s helping me so much!

Reviewed February 2020

Before Steve's counseling, I have been practically mad for 5 months in a row. After listening and telling him my problems, I haven't been mad a lot. Maybe irritated but not to the point how I was before.

Reviewed January 2020

Steve is awesome! He is very knowledgeable and knows his stuff. He is easy to talk to and listens.

Reviewed January 2020

He doesn't judge. He listens. He never gives an unsolicited opinion. If I ask his opinion, he gives it. Really good dude. Glad I have him as a counselor.

Reviewed December 2019

I really value Steve's expertise and insights!

Reviewed August 2019

Steve is a very kind man, he’s a great listener, supportive, and helpful. My talks with him have quickly helped sort out feelings, get on track with goals, and aided in my mental well-being. I look forward to our conversations, I’m thankful there are people like Steve out there.

Reviewed August 2019

He is really good! Makes me think and challenges me but is very compassionate as well.

Reviewed May 2019

I truly appreciate the time and energy Steve has given me. He has truly helped me navigate through this confusing journey called life and has helped me succeed in finding inner peace.

Reviewed April 2019

Steve has created an environment for me where I can share safely. He is patient, and speaks in a way that brings calm. I would recommend Steve to anyone!

Reviewed April 2019

Wonderful Counselor. He listens and gives very helpful information and worksheets to help you understand the concepts and apply to your life experiences.

Reviewed December 2018

Steve is very warm and I feel safe talking to him.

Reviewed August 2018

Steve is smart, kind, and timely with his responses. I enjoy our conversations. He has a calm, positive demeanor and seems very genuine. He's great.

Reviewed August 2018

Steve is excellent at listening and giving good methods of reducing anxiety and depression. Knowing I can message him with anything has already helped more than I imagined when exploring betterhelp.

Reviewed July 2018

How was your experience with Steven?

Frequently asked questions

Does Steven Lai offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Steven Lai 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 Steven Lai speak?

Steven Lai speaks English.

How many years of experience does Steven Lai have?

Steven Lai has 32 years of experience.

Where is Steven Lai licensed to practice?

Steven Lai is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.

Does Steven Lai accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Steven Lai 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 Steven Lai offer?

Steven Lai offers clients Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

How can I communicate with Steven Lai?

Steven Lai 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 Steven Lai?

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.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

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.