Warm Greetings! I have 32 years of experience in the counseling field since 1993. I earned my Masters degree through Longwood University. I worked in residential mental health care and in-home settings. In 2008, along with 3 colleagues, I founded a day school for youth with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. I have specialized in working with children, tweens, teens, and young adults. Adult clients, ranging up to seniors, can explore in an accepting space as I journey alongside them. I currently work extensively with diverse families and adults with unique backgrounds as well. I believe in creating a safe space for all individuals to be heard and validated. I value building trust and openness with people to support them as they unravel the twists and turns that life presents us all. When I listen attentively in sessions, the person, couple, or family are the most important people in the room as we seek to shed light on the areas we can discover together. I see clients both virtually and in my office. *In-office sessions require prior approval by contacting me directly.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, we will get to know each other by sharing highlights of who we are. The goal is to start to build a trusted connection and level of comfort. We will then discuss the presenting issues and goals of therapy. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Know that we can adjust therapy as needed as issues present themselves.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Since 1993, I have focused on human instincts, patterns of various behaviors, and mental health. I have gained expertise in working with diverse people and groups. I believe in prioritizing unconditional acceptance to increase self-awareness, which leads to empowerment and confidence so that clients can improve their situations and feel relief. I seek to help clients see the big picture of their lives but also to focus on the little things that have a big impact. I hope to work together in the counseling process efficiently, but with grace to meet the goals that will ultimately bring the client to a greater overall well-being.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I believe no one lives in the world we live in, thus everyone is living in a unique situation that should never be generalized. I strive to listen to each person's special and sacred story to empathize as best I can. In this process, I seek to help those who feel stuck, confused, lonely, or empty. I accept that humans struggle with anger, anxiety, stress, sadness, trauma, and just plain feeling lost... My experience has taught me that if I can build trust in our therapeutic relationship, it will allow space and time for us to journey through whatever you are facing in life together.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Our distorted thoughts and self-narratives we tell ourselves can be the root of emotional distress. I am skilled in exploring these thoughts and scripts we tell ourselves to alleviate a range of stress and negative emotions that trap us in negative cycles.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Do you know what you value most in life? Who and what parts of your life do you prioritize and stand committed to and why? These are some of the questions we should assess and define to identify key values to guide our lives. I have used ACT to help people design a new blueprint for their lives.
Compassion Focused
I believe in leading with empathy and unconditional acceptance to create a safe space to allow clients to unravel issues and trauma that impair their functioning.
Couples Counseling
In helping couples, communication and seeking understanding rather than deciding who is right is an initial goal. For each partner to feel validated, sometimes couples need a facilitator who can objectively level the complex landscapes of a shared life. Most couples fall into "kitchen sinking" in which one argument leads to unloading all the things going wrong in the relationship. "How did we get here?" and "What do we both want?" are questions to be answered in a neutral and safe space.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
We often carry family rules, roles, and cultural patterns of our ancestors into each generation. We all experience the world in a unique way, but we also carry our familial expectations from our "tribes" within us. How does our culture impact our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships?
9 ratings with written reviews
December 8, 2025
Dr. Ben. He listens, I mean really listens. He doesn't judge. This truly is a safe space for me to unleash my emotional beast in all of it's glory. Dr. Ben is helping me learn and providing me with the tools and resources to assist in my personal growth. He is helping me open that frightening door to self actualization, understanding, and self-love. This is me, and me is deserving.
November 3, 2025
Challenges you and defuses things well, makes you heard. I am an interrupter not because I am rude but because I want to jump in and add to what was said before its lost. He puts up with it and is subsequently making me realize it and work on it, totally unrelated to therapy obviously but a good trait and is helping me already, patient and knowledgeable. Excited to continue the journey with him.
August 1, 2025
Very welcoming and open-minded to my issues. Was especially good at listening to my troubles and responding to them in a constructive manner. Looking forward to continuing my therapy sessions with him.