(he/him)
Giovanni Benavides, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor based in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a BA in Psychology from Brooklyn College (2006) and an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Touro College. Since 2009 he has provided trauma-informed therapy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including many clients of Latin American descent and DACA recipients. He works effectively with adults across the lifespan—men, women, and older adults—and offers culturally sensitive, bilingual (English/Spanish) care. Giovanni focuses on restoring safety, self-esteem, and confidence through individual therapy for depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders, as well as therapeutic group work. He also provides resident support and advocacy, helping clients adjust to nursing home environments, meet emotional needs, and build coping skills. His private practice is committed to compassionate, practical treatment tailored to each person’s goals.
Warm, focused intake. I’ll begin by asking about the problem that brought you to therapy now: what’s been happening, how long it’s been going on, and what you’ve already tried. This helps us prioritize what matters most to you. A brief history to give context. I’ll ask about relevant background (mental health history, current stressors, relationships, medical or substance concerns) so I understand the bigger picture that shapes your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Emphasis on behavioral change: While thoughts and feelings are explored, the core is changing what you do — small, repeated behavior changes that compound into lasting improvement. Compassionate directness: I combine warmth with straightforward feedback. That helps clients confront unhelpful patterns without feeling judged and stay engaged in active change work. Adaptability across problems: This approach works for anxiety, depression, panic, avoidance, compulsive behaviors, stress, and difficulties with emotion regulation or relationships. I tailor techniques to fit your specific situation and tolerance for change. Encouraging self-efficacy: The goal is to make you your own therapist — to teach skills so you can handle future setbacks independently and sustain gains long after therapy ends.
I help people who want clear, practical work on how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact — and who are ready to make concrete changes. Who I’m best positioned to serve People struggling with recurring negative thinking patterns (worry, self-criticism, catastrophizing) who want tools to break those cycles. Clients experiencing anxiety, low mood, panic, or persistent stress who want to learn how thoughts drive feelings and behavior so they can reduce symptoms. Individuals caught in unhelpful behavior patterns (avoidance, withdrawal, rumination, compulsive actions) who want structured strategies to change what they do and feel. Those wanting short- to medium-term, skills-focused therapy that teaches practical techniques (cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, exposure, activity scheduling) rather than open-ended exploration alone. People motivated to try homework and practice between sessions — the technique works best when skills are used regularly in daily life. Clients seeking improved emotion regulation: learning to identify feelings, understand their triggers, and choose more helpful responses. Adults navigating life transitions (relationship changes, work stress, parenting challenges) who need targeted, problem-focused support. Anyone who prefers a collaborative, problem-solving approach: we set clear goals, track progress, and adjust strategies as needed. Mindset and readiness that fit well Willingness to examine and challenge thoughts instead of accepting them as facts. Openness to testing beliefs through experiments and small behavioral changes. Ready to be an active participant in therapy (practice outside sessions, try new behaviors). Comfortable with structured sessions that combine exploration with concrete skill-building. Typical therapy goals I support Reduce anxiety, panic, and worry. Lift depressive symptoms and increase activity and pleasure. Break cycles of avoidance or compulsive behaviors. Improve stress management and resilience. Increase confidence and reduce self-critical thoughts. Build healthier relationship patterns (communication, boundaries, assertiveness). Develop lasting emotion-regulation skills. If you’re unsure whether this approach fits you, tell me a few current concerns or goals and I’ll describe how this work would apply and what to expect in early sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
With 20 years of experience, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured, goal-oriented approach to help clients identify, challenge, and replace negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors with healthier, more adaptive ones. My practice focuses on practical, evidence-based techniques—like cognitive restructuring and behavioral experiments—tailored to specific needs, treating conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My Experience and Approach to CBT Collaborative Goal Setting: I treat therapy as a partnership, working together to set specific, measurable goals in the first few sessions. Focus on the "Here and Now": My practice emphasizes current life challenges rather than just past history, aiming to change how clients think and act today. Skill Acquisition: I focus on teaching clients to become their own therapists, equipping them with tools they can use for the rest of their lives. Homework as Essential Practice: I integrate "homework" (e.g., keeping thought records, behavioral experiments) to ensure skills are practiced outside of the office. Techniques Used in My Practice Cognitive Restructuring: I help clients identify irrational or distorted thoughts ("cognitive distortions") and challenge them to develop more balanced perspectives. Behavioral Experiments: Clients test the accuracy of their beliefs in real-life situations, such as, "If I go to this party, I will panic," to see if the prediction holds true. Exposure Therapy: For anxiety and phobias, I use gradual exposure to feared situations, helping clients build tolerance and decrease avoidance behavior. Relaxation Techniques: Teaching mindfulness, breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation to manage physical symptoms of distress. Over two decades, I have seen CBT consistently provide, or even exceed, the effectiveness of other therapies or medications for many clients. The goal is to move beyond just understanding the problem to making tangible changes in functioning and emotional well-being.