Steven Kirkilas, LCSW, CSW

Steven Kirkilas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and a wide range of life challenges. He brings a calm, straightforward style and aims to meet each person where they are. Steven holds a Master of Social Work and has seven years of clinical experience. He uses practical conversation and evidence-informed methods to address symptoms like depression, panic, sleep problems, and struggles with self-esteem. Sessions focus on skills that people can use between meetings, such as breathing and grounding, thought mapping, and clearer communication habits. Steven offers trauma-aware care and includes eye movement desensitization and reprocessing as one of the approaches he uses for processing difficult memories. He also draws on client-centered and existential ideas to help people clarify their values and goals. Mindfulness practices are introduced to support anxiety management and emotional regulation. In therapy he aims to be nonjudgmental and direct. People can expect straightforward feedback, practical exercises, and a plan tailored to their situation. The goal is to reduce symptoms and build the tools needed to handle setbacks. Sessions are available online in several formats, which can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Steven works from Wisconsin and conducts sessions in English. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, listed as LCSW and CSW.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Steven commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR alongside client-centered conversation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical exercises, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress-related symptoms. EMDR involves structured processing of distressing memories to reduce their emotional impact and can be useful for trauma-related symptoms. Client-centered work emphasizes empathetic listening and helping people set their own goals, which supports motivation and clarity.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, history, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they will try methods that fit the person's needs and adjust the plan over time based on what helps.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for guided exercises and feedback. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a quieter setup is easier. Live chat and messaging work well for short check-ins, homework review, or ongoing coaching between longer sessions. These options make it easier to schedule therapy around work, caregiving, or other responsibilities and allow consistent follow-up regardless of location.