Dr. Stephen Gunsallus , LPC

Dr. Stephen Gunsallus is a licensed counselor in South Carolina with 20 years of professional experience supporting people through trauma, grief, LGBT-related concerns, and attention challenges such as ADHD. He brings a calm, respectful, and compassionate approach to every interaction and focuses on tailoring conversation and treatment to each person’s unique circumstances.

Dr. Gunsallus earned a Doctor of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling in 2017, a Master of Sacred Theology in 1999, and a Master of Arts in Counseling in 2003. He also completed seven units of Clinical Pastoral Education, with four of those units served as a residency, which contributed to his practical training in counseling and pastoral care. In recognition of his community work, he received an award for Community Organization from Adapt Advocacy Association in 2011.

His clinical interests include grief and loss, forgiveness, guilt and shame, HIV and AIDS related concerns, hospice and end-of-life counseling, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress. He combines established therapeutic methods with attention to each person’s values and goals, and he encourages those taking the first step toward therapy. He will work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan designed to meet specific needs and preferences.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Gunsallus

Dr. Gunsallus integrates client-centered therapy, which emphasizes listening and adapting to each person’s priorities so they feel heard and supported, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to improve mood and daily functioning. He also draws on dialectical behavior therapy techniques when people need tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and managing intense reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Gunsallus works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods fit best with their goals, values, and preferences, and he adjusts the plan as needs evolve.

Online sessions with licensed professionals offer practical flexibility - appointments can take place by video call, by phone, through live chat, or with text-based messaging. This range of options makes it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, and other responsibilities while maintaining regular contact and continuity of care.