LPC, 2 years of experience
New to Grow
Welcome, I’m Ben, a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania. I’m passionate about helping individuals heal, grow, and regain a sense of balance in their lives. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each person’s unique story. I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, helping them find safety, empowerment, and hope through the healing process. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and person-centered therapy to tailor treatment to each client’s needs. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and offer EMDR therapy virtually, providing clients with an effective way to process traumatic experiences and reduce distressing symptoms from the comfort of their own space. While trauma work is a key focus, I welcome clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply seeking greater self-understanding, I aim to create a supportive environment where you can explore, heal, and grow at your own pace.
Your first counseling session will focus on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. This is the intake process, and it includes discussing your history, current concerns, and goals for treatment. Together, we’ll develop a treatment plan that outlines the focus of our work and the approaches that may best support your needs. This collaborative process helps ensure that therapy is tailored specifically to you and your goals.
My greatest strength is my person-centered approach. I believe that every individual has an innate capacity for growth, and my role is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where that growth can unfold. I strive to meet clients exactly where they are, honoring their unique experiences, values, and goals. By listening deeply, validating their perspectives, and empowering them to take an active role in their healing, I help clients build insight, confidence, and meaningful change at a pace that feels right for them.
I work with clients from all backgrounds and with a wide range of concerns. However, a particular area of interest and specialization for me is supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. I’m dedicated to helping clients heal, build resilience, and regain a sense of safety and empowerment in their lives.
Using CBT, I work collaboratively with clients to identify and understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We begin by exploring specific situations that cause distress and then examine the automatic thoughts or beliefs linked to those situations. Together, we challenge and reframe unhelpful or distorted thoughts to develop more balanced and realistic perspectives. Throughout sessions, I help clients learn practical skills such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and problem-solving techniques to manage symptoms and improve coping. Homework assignments can be used to practice these skills between sessions, reinforcing progress, and promoting lasting change.
As an EMDR trained clinician, I guide clients through the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing process using online tools that facilitate bilateral stimulation, including guided eye movements and audio tones. We begin by establishing a safe and comfortable space, reviewing the target memories or distressing experiences, and then proceed with the standard EMDR phases—processing the memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. I ensure clear communication and frequent check-ins to monitor clients’ emotional states and adjust the pace as needed, creating a supportive environment that allows effective trauma processing.
My work as a therapist is grounded in the principles of Person-Centered Therapy, believing that meaningful change grows out of genuine connection, unconditional acceptance, and a deep respect for each client’s inner wisdom. I strive to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where individuals feel truly heard. Rather than directing or imposing solutions, I partner with clients to explore their experiences, trusting in their capacity for self-understanding and growth. My role is to offer empathy, authenticity, and a stable therapeutic presence—conditions that support clients in discovering their own strengths, clarifying their values, and moving toward lives that feel more aligned and fulfilling. I view each person as the expert of their own story, and I aim to empower them to reconnect with their sense of agency, resilience, and possibility.
Positive psychology focuses on my clients’ strengths, values, and what’s going well in their lives. I help clients identify and build on their positive qualities, cultivate gratitude, and develop habits that promote well-being. Through exercises like savoring positive experiences and setting meaningful goals, I support clients in enhancing their overall happiness and life satisfaction. This strengths-based approach complements addressing challenges by promoting growth, hope, and a more balanced perspective.
As a trauma informed clinician, I do not presume to know your experience or the ways in which trauma has impacted your life. I put a heavy focus on client safety and ensuring to the best of my ability that clients leave sessions with me feeling safe and heard.