Emily Bentley

As the founder of Guiding Stars Counseling and Consulting, I have over 20 years of experience helping children, adults, and families navigate life’s challenges. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, parenting stress, self-esteem concerns, ADHD, relationships, midlife changes, and the overwhelm of managing a very full life. I also specialize in Child-Centered Play Therapy for children ages 4–11, using play to help children express themselves, understand their emotions, and feel more confident and secure in their world.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. With children, I use Child-Centered Play Therapy to help them express experiences and emotions in the way that comes most naturally to them. With adults, therapy is conversational and supportive, with space to understand patterns, work through challenges, and find realistic ways to feel less overwhelmed and more confident. I believe therapy works best through a trusting relationship where clients feel truly heard, understood, and supported.

Clients can expect our first session to focus on getting to know one another and beginning to build a relationship that feels safe, comfortable, and collaborative. Whether I am meeting with an adult or a child and their parent, I want clients to feel heard rather than rushed or judged. We will talk about what brings you to therapy, what you hope will feel different, and how we can work together in a way that feels supportive and meaningful.