LGBT therapists in Deland, FL

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, weighed down, or stuck carrying things you rarely say out loud, you don’t have to do that alone. I work with people navigating depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, attachment wounds, and PTSD. In therapy, we’ll slow things down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and help you build a life that feels safer, steadier, and more like your own. Nothing is “too much” here, and you get to set the pace.

My journey began as a deeply personal quest for healing, shaped by significant challenges such as abandonment, neglect, and trauma. Overcoming hardships like poverty, familial substance abuse, and toxic relationships led me to a lifelong struggle with anxiety and feelings of isolation. In my search for relief, I explored countless self-help resources, pursued degrees in psychology, and experimented with therapeutic techniques, yet nothing seemed to offer lasting change.

Everything shifted for me about three years ago when I experienced a transformative moment that inspired the creation of the Blue Lotus Approach. This method has not only helped me heal but has also profoundly impacted my clients, guiding them toward self-awareness and resilience.

My clinical background includes extensive experience working with underprivileged populations, victims of crime, and individuals coping with bereavement, grief, and loss. I have served as a school counselor for students from pre‐K through 12th grade, and I have supported college students navigating the challenges of major life transitions.

After completing my Master’s in Counseling from California State University, Sacramento, I co‐facilitated a children’s bereavement group with Hospice and led a suicide‐prevention program throughout inner‐city schools in Sacramento. These experiences have deepened my understanding of how individuals process adversity, build resilience, and find meaning in their healing journeys.

My therapeutic approach is humanistic and person‐centered, with an emphasis on play and art therapy. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution‐Focused techniques, and mindfulness‐based approaches to support clients in developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and fostering emotional well‐being.

I graduated with honors from National Louis University with my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I received a bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 2013 from Walsh University in Ohio. I taught children with varying exceptionalities and learning differences for five years. I have over ten years of experience working with children and adults with autism, ADHD, and various learning disabilities.

I utilize interventions of various approaches to best assist my clients in accomplishing their individual goals. These approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Narrative Therapy. I am also a certified yoga teacher.

Call me Ben! I've been in private practice as an LCSW for 6+ years and the mental health field at-large for close to a decade. I live in Asheville, North Carolina with my wife and our two cats. I love to go hiking and kayaking, I own a record store where I also work, and love a good gaming session with my friends.

Life can feel overwhelming when stress, anger, addiction, anxiety, or family conflict start pulling you away from who you want to be. I work with adolescent boys, teens, and adults who feel stuck, disconnected, or weighed down by emotional struggles and unhealthy patterns. Together, we focus on building confidence, emotional balance, healthy coping skills, and a stronger sense of purpose so you can feel more grounded, peaceful, and in control of your life and relationships.