With dual master's degrees from UNC Chapel Hill's School of Social Work and Duke Divinity School, Ben (he/they) brings a unique perspective that integrates clinical expertise with a nuanced understanding of spiritual and existential concerns. Ben is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate who has previously worked in schools, non-profit settings, and community clinics alike supporting children, adolescents, and adults. He honed his education and previous work to develop a trauma-informed approach to therapy that prioritizes cultivating a relationship with the wisdom of the body. Ben incorporates a client-centered approach while utilizing various clinical modalities tailored to client needs, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based interventions. In his spare time, Ben enjoys playing Disc Golf, video games like Final Fantasy and The Legend of Zelda, Magic the Gathering, TTRPG’s like Avatar Legends and Dungeons and Dragons, reading romance and fantasy novels, and much more.

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Ben’s area of expertise include the following:

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Anxiety

Autism 

Couples 

Crisis Intervention

Emotional Regulation

Gender

Grief and Loss

Identity Issues

Interpersonal Violence

Maladaptive Body Image

Mindfulness

Relationships

Relationship Systems

Reparenting

Self-Esteem

Self-Harm

Sexuality

Sexual Dysfunction

Sleep Issues

Somatic Work

Stress

Spirituality

Spiritual Trauma

Substance Use

Trauma/PTSD

 

From Ben To future clients, 

 

While our sessions will focus primarily on you – I find that sharing about myself in the beginning of our relationship can help create a better sense of the lenses through which I approach the world and therapy. I believe my training is only one of the lenses that helps me understand and work with problems and clients. My personal experiences also inform my vision – what I see and what I do not see. It is possible that my personal identities may be helpful or a limitation in our work together – so I think it is helpful to learn your thoughts about this too. I think it is important to be able to discuss this now and throughout our journey together if either of us perceives we may have hit an obstacle related to this. 

 

With of this in mind, I identify as a white, queer, single, middle-class person with no children. I am deeply informed by a spirituality that draws from sources ranging from Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism to Indigenous spirituality. I am from North Carolina, with ancestors from across Europe and the United States. My practice is informed by a focus in trauma, the wisdom of the body, and spirituality. Much of my education has centered on queer communities and communities of color. I am a student of womanism and employ a feminist pedagogical framework aimed to dismantle sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. 

 

My identities and particularities may present as differences or similarities with you. While differences tend to be the primary concern, I contend that similarity can also pose limitations. Holistically speaking, it is my hope that we can work together, however, should any of this become a barrier – my genuine hope for you is that you find greater wellness and if that is with another person, I support you.   Ben