Joan L. Benz, MSW, MFT, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Psychotherapy is not so much about changing people, but rather helping people navigate through their thoughts, problems, struggles, and emotions to arrive at their own solutions. If change happens, it will be a result of this process of self discovery. A therapist is the objective vehicle through which this discovery, healing process takes place.

Experience: I have worked as a Family Therapist at Family Resource Center for the past 5 years and as a Behavior Therapist at St. Louis Regional Center for the past 4 years.  I am licensed in the State of MO as a clinical social worker, and I have a wide variety of experience working with clients of all ages with a wide range of presenting problems. I work with individuals, families, children, teenagers, adults, couples, and groups.  My specialties include domestic violence, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, women’s issues, and couple counseling. I present workshops and trainings about domestic violence and PTSD, and I have supervised other students and therapists for licensure.

Education: I have a BS degree in Social Work, Psychology, and Sociology from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD.  I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work from George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.  I have completed all but the dissertation stage for a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO. My dissertation will focus on adults who have witnessed domestic violence as children and how this trauma has affected their relationships and mental health as adults. I continue to attend several workshops each year on such topics as trauma therapy, sexual abuse therapy, marriage therapy and other mental health issues including depression, social phobias, and bi-polar disorder.

Counseling Philosophy: My approach to therapy is very strength-based, cognitive, empowering, and educational. I believe that often problems are the result of a lack of adequate information, misconceptions about past or present life experiences or past trauma. I am very empathetic and supportive, but can be more direct in my approach if necessary. I use a lot of evidence-based approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

For more information, please visit my website: www.joanbenz.com