Hi! I'm Susan Benjaminsen. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Maine. I was trained in this field at Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA. Marriage and Family Therapists treat relationships, including the relationship with ourselves! In my 24 years of practice, I have worked with people who were struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship, family problems, "burnout" at work, and what's known as "compassion fatigue" or "empathy fatigue", affecting mental health for those of us in the healthcare and helping professions. I have also helped many people affected by adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, that developed into complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
My therapy style is down to earth, compassionate, and always transparent. I respect and honor your lived experiences that may be very different from my own. It's most important to me that you feel safe and comfortable sharing your truth.
The basis of my approach is Person-Centered because this is YOUR journey. I facilitate Mindfulness Based tools customized for you to relax and heal from the effects of chronic stress, tension, and trauma. I believe that having the skills to build our capacity for stress recovery is essential for living, no matter what brings you to therapy. It's my hope that however long we may work together, you'll leave with skills that last a lifetime. Other approaches I've found effective and can incorporate into treatment may include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Behavior Activation, Radical Acceptance, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and approaches based on HeartMath practices, and are informed by Polyvagal Theory.
Even though we haven't met yet, I can tell you with certainty, that this is your time, to open your heart to deeper self-awareness, to discover, and live in the fullness of your purpose. This is why you are here and why I'm here. I would be honored to help get you closer to where you want to be on this amazing journey.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, ADHD, Avoidant Personality, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Visually Impaired, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems
ME LMFT 5179
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Susan Benjaminsen. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Susan has been life changing for me. I appreciate her perspective and she has shown me so much about myself. I always feel a greater sense of clarity after our sessions. Thank you Susan!
Written on Dec 13, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and anger management
Susan is very proactive and does a great job listening, giving input and provides ways to help calm yourself in stressful situations
Written on Aug 24, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Great communication skills and warmth. The understanding of mind/emotion and variety of skills is very helpful!
Written on Aug 18, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and adhd