About

The world is full of complex challenges. At times, we may find ourselves in conflict with people, places, or even parts of ourselves — and if left unresolved, these struggles can weigh on us in profound ways. When we develop the capacity to endure and grow through life’s difficulties, we gain the freedom to pursue our goals with resilience and hope. Counseling provides a safe place to build these skills and to practice self-control, persistence, courage, and compassion toward oneself.

Ben’s compassionate and thoughtful approach helps him connect with clients who may be hesitant to seek support. Recognizing that each person has their own unique perspective on themselves and the world, he works to understand each client’s lens in order to guide the process of healing. Rather than seeing therapy as a process of “fixing” a client, Ben views it as a process rooted in solidarity. As one of his mentors once told him — and as he now tells his clients — “I can’t make the pain go away. But I can see you. And I will walk through the fire with you.”

As a member of Affective Counseling, Ben brings several years of experience counseling individuals and groups in both school-based and community mental health settings. He has specialized experience supporting teens and young adults through life transitions, emotional intensity, and identity-related challenges. Ben works especially well with teenage, male, and neurodivergent clients, recognizing that struggles such as anger, withdrawal, or acting out often reflect deeper emotional pain. His perspective as a man sometimes helps make therapy feel less intimidating for male clients who might otherwise be reluctant to seek support. In addition to these specialties, Ben also works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and obsessive-compulsive concerns. Across this wide range of experiences, he strives to create a space where clients can safely explore emotions, relationships, and inner conflict in a way that feels grounded and authentic.

Ben draws from Gestalt therapy to help clients recognize and reintegrate the parts of themselves they struggle to accept, supporting a greater sense of wholeness. He also incorporates skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focusing on emotional regulation and perspective-taking to prepare clients to navigate life’s challenges. Taken together, his approach emphasizes both deep self-exploration and practical skill-building — helping clients understand the “why” behind their struggles while developing tools for how to manage them day to day. Guided by the belief that clients are the true experts on their lives, Ben serves as a companion, interpreter, and tireless advocate as they chart their own path forward.