Ben Kates

I am a licensed clinical social worker providing online counseling services. I have experience with people from all walks of life including high acuity patients who have dealt with suicidality and psychosis and domestic violence

I specialized in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(DBT) and am a certified DBT Skills Trainer from Behavioral Tech. I also recieved training in Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(RO‑DBT) for disorders of over control like anxiety and autism and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) for the treatment of chronic pain. I also pull from Rogerian Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Strengths Perspective, Attachment‑Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Geek Therapy for a holistic approach to solution focused therapy.

In our first call, we'll just chat. No pressure. It's just a chance for you tell me what you're looking for and see if we'll fit.

If you decide you like me and we get into the therapy room, it's still just more talking.

When clients begin therapy, I focus on meeting clients where they are, learning their history and where they want to go, so goals can be set collaboratively.

But the jargon-y explanation is that I use that therapeutic relationship we will build to leverage evidence‑based modalities through a holistic lens to examine patterns and support change.

Sessions may include but are not limited to: breathing exercises, grounding techniques, self‑inquiry, journaling, inner child work, body scanning, distress‑tolerance practice, interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation skill building, boundary‑setting, dramatic exercises, and media and art analysis.

Basically - if the tool is useful, I'll use it but you and I will be in this together. Nothing is more important that being a team and getting you believing in yourself and your capability.

I have found through repeated successes that this approach supports clients in: being kinder to themselves, becoming more assertive, reaching their goals, and developing safety in themselves to improve their lives and valued relationships.

I consider my approach to be radically genuine, non‑judgmental, intense, and grounded in hopeful realism.

I started my own practice in the USA, Level 20 Brain Cleric in 2023 where I still see LGBTQ+, AuDHD and teen clients online.

Outside of clinical work clinical work, I values continuity of care and healthcare advocacy and is committed to improving education around these issues. When I'm not working,I love to travel, writing, collecting vinyl, anime, role‑playing games, language learning, going to burns and trying to keep my cat from committing crimes.