Janna Benkelman

LPC, 35 years of experience
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I love living in Colorado and enjoy spending time with my pets and loved ones. As a psychotherapist, I am dedicated to providing a supportive, compassionate, and effective experience for each of my clients, no matter what challenges they may be facing. One of my specialties is trauma work, and I have assisted many clients heal from PTSD. I also work with individuals experiencing mood disorders, families navigating relationship challenges, and couples seeking to strengthen their connection. I especially enjoy work with children and teens and value collaborating with other professions to support each client's overall well-being. I believe therapy should feel like a safe and collaborative space where you can be yourself.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Starting therapy with someone new can feel intimidating and sometimes confusing. When I meet a client for the first time, what matters most to me is understanding what is important to you and what you would like to accomplish in therapy. I strive to be warm, supportive and approachable so you can feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. In our first session, we may talk about your history, your relationships, and the challenges you are currently facing. We will also begin exploring coping skills and problem-solving strategies to support you in your day-to-day life. Your thoughts, feelings, and feedback are always important to me, and I see therapy as a collaborative process where we work together to meet your goals.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

The values I strive to bring into my work with every client are emotional honesty, empathy, and authenticity. I am dedicated to helping clients explore their concerns and identify meaningful strategies for improving their lives and relationship in a positive and supportive way. I am dependable and punctual, and I take an active, engaged approach in sessions. Rather than being a passive listener, I offer thoughtful feedback and communicate openly to support growth and understanding.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Life these days is stressful and often presents unforeseen challenges and obstacles. Whether your child or teen is struggling with school or social issues, your family is looking for more effective ways of communicating and coping with stress, or you and your partner or spouse are looking to improve your connection and relationship, counseling can be a useful tool. All of us have challenges and I am here to help in a compassionate and connected relationship with you.

Specialties

Top specialties

Trauma and PTSD

Other specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

Children (6 to 12)

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

EMDR

I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a primary treatment method to help clients process and heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. My approach is client-centered and tailored to each individual's needs, integrating EMDR with other evidenced-based practices to support meaningful and lasting change.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavvioral Therapy (CBT focuses on how our thoughts influence our emotions and hehaviors. Together, we Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. Together, we explore patterns in thinking that may be contributing to stress or distress, and work to reframe them in more helpful and realistic ways. This process helps clients build practical skills to manage emotions, respond more effectively to challenges, and improve overall well-being.

Gottman method

I incorporate elements of the Gottman Method of couples counseling into my work with partners. This research-based approach offers practical, effective tools to help couples improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, and navigate conflict in healthier ways. The Gottman Method focuses on building positive interaction patterns, increasing understanding between partners, and developing skills to repair and move through challenges more successfully. Clients often find this structured, educational approach especially helpful in reducing recurring communication problems and fostering more supportive, resilient relationships.

Psychodynamic

I believe that our past relationships and life experiences continue to shape how we think, feel, and relate to others in the present. Exploring these patterns can provide valuable insight into our choices--especially in relationships--and help us understand why we may feel stuck or repeat certain dynamics. Through this psychodynamic approach, clients gain a deeper awareness of themselves, allowing them to make more intentional choices, develop healthier relationship patterns, and create meaningful change in their lives.

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This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.