LPC, 31 years of experience
Warm Greetings! I have 31+ years of experience in the counseling field since 1993. I earned my Masters degree through Longwood University. 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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
7 ratings with written reviews
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.
July 4, 2025
First session was great me and my girlfriend feel very welcome and comfortable with Ben he made sure we felt okay to talk about things and open up while knowing at any time we get uncomfortable things could stop. He is very understanding and makes you feel like you’ve known him for a while. We are very pleased and excited to continue seeing Ben for our couples therapy ! He did an amazing job and validating how we felt and helping us with our situation. 10out of 10 for us with Ben.
May 8, 2025
He is a wonderful mediator and guide in our marriage. He’s easy to talk to. Knows when to step in to bring the conversation back to a constructive flow. While still giving each side time to discuss, feel, and process our own thoughts; brings us back together to tackle it as a partnership instead of apart. Gives us tools to follow up with…. even if he’s got to remind us a few times lol. We really appreciate him.