About Ben

Born in Baltimore and raised in Philadelphia and Vancouver, B.C., Ben enjoyed a successful career in theatre, film and television before becoming an integrated psychotherapist.  His background in the performing arts served as an especially relevant and powerful foundation for him to develop many skills that inform his psychotherapeutic expertise.

Ben received his certification as a registered therapeutic counsellor from Clearmind International Institute.  His somatic (body-centred) training also includes Somatic Experiencing and Bodynamic Somatic Psychotherapy.  His clinical approach includes Bowen Family Systems Theory, Internal Family Systems, Person-Centred, Gestalt, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Transpersonal orientations.  Additional somatic training includes: Relational Trauma Therapy with Bodynamic co-founder Merete Holm Brantbjerg as well as continuing workshops in Experiential Unity Model, Trauma Informed Practice and Brainspotting.

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Why do I do this work?  I have always been fascinated with and passionate about human beings.  What motivates us, what moves us, why we do what we do, why do we struggle?  I was lucky enough to discover the gift of therapy starting from an early age when, during my parents break up, we went as a family to counselling.  I remember feeling safe and seen in that attentive environment and experiencing for the first time what it meant to be heard, understood and learn something useful about myself.  During my difficult teenage years, sometimes fraught with suicidal ideation, I was fortunate to work with 2 wonderful therapists.  By the age of 18 I'd had 2 and half years of life-changing work behind me and never looked back.  In my early 20s I actually considered becoming a psychotherapist, so beneficial was its impact on me.

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Therapy has always figured prominently in my life.  I've been involved in this work as a client for decades.  I've learned and grown from many modalities: CBT to Art Therapy, Jungian Analysis to Gestalt and somatic therapy.  To be candid, this work saved my life.  I believe in it.  I love it.  I love sharing it with others and helping them realize their dream of healing.