Nate Benham

Hi! I’m Nate. I'm a therapist licensed in New Mexico and Oregon who works with children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, identity, and men's issues. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years leading wilderness expeditions — an experience that shaped how I think about growth, connection, empowerment, and personal excellence. I use art therapy and play therapy with younger clients, and draw from CBT, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, and experiential approaches with teens and adults. I show up as a real person in session — honest, direct, and occasionally funny when it helps.

I believe the relationship between therapist and client is the most important ingredient in therapy. I'm not a blank slate — I have a perspective, I'll share it when it's helpful, and I'll challenge you when I think it serves you. My approach is collaborative and strength-based: I'm less interested in diagnosing what's wrong with you than in understanding what's gotten in the way and what you're already doing well. I tailor how I work to the person in front of me — that might mean using art or play with a child, walking through cognitive patterns with an anxious adult, or exploring how a man has been taught to relate to his own emotions. Whatever the approach, the goal is always the same: help you feel more like yourself again.

A conversation — not an intake form. I'll ask about what's bringing you in, what's been working, what hasn't, and what you'd like to see change. I won't put you on the spot or push you to share more than feels right. If you're a parent bringing a child or teen, we'll talk about what you're noticing, what matters to them, and how to make sure they feel like a participant — not a problem being solved. By the end, you'll have a sense of whether this feels like a good fit, and I'll have a clearer picture of how I can help. Most people leave that first session feeling lighter than they expected.