Steven Van Schaick , LCSW

Steven Van Schaick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and trauma specialist with more than 10 years of experience supporting people dealing with a wide range of mental health challenges. He built a practice that goes to clients rather than relying solely on an office and couch, bringing care into residential treatment settings, in-patient psychiatric units, and in-home counseling with high-risk families.

That hands-on background means he is accustomed to fast-paced work with clients who need focused, practical interventions rather than extended, drawn-out treatment. He has substantial experience addressing depressive episodes, panic and anxiety, strained family relationships, life stressors, parenting concerns, complex psychiatric and spiritual issues, and traumatic experiences. He intentionally seeks out clients who were dealt difficult circumstances and prefers environments that demand his best and most immediate clinical effort.

While he uses multiple evidence-based strategies, he emphasizes that inner healing is not one-size-fits-all and should be tailored to each person. He distinguishes lighter counseling, which can include conversational messaging, from deeper therapeutic work that uses comprehensive sessions to identify sustaining roots of problems and then live sessions to begin mind-and-body healing. He frames therapy as a collaborative process aimed at restoring balance and functioning, and he values the therapeutic relationship and earning clients’ trust as central to effective care.

Therapeutic approaches for online trauma and skills work

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, panic, and many everyday stressors by teaching practical skills to respond differently to difficult thoughts and situations.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. It can be especially helpful for those who struggle with intense emotions, self-harm urges, or relationship difficulties and who need concrete skills to manage high-stress moments.

Trauma-Focused Therapy centers on understanding and addressing the effects of traumatic experiences, using targeted techniques to reduce trauma-related symptoms and help restore a sense of safety and functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Steven Van Schaick works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and he adapts strategies as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in that work through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions, maintain continuity of care, and access help from different locations while allowing therapists and clients to choose the format that supports the most effective and practical progress.