About

Hello, my name is Chai (pronounced Kye) Benson and I live in Long Beach, California.  I’m Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the every day lives of neurodivergent (Attention Deficit Disorder- ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder- ASD and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- PTSD) families and adult individuals. In addition to neurodivergence, many of my clients are members of LGBTQIA+ and are in transition or navigating “coming out.” I provide Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to clients experiencing Complex PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms. I’ve almost completed my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate and teach classes at Yogalution Movement and Wellness https://www.yogalutionmovement.com/ in Long Beach, California.

I received my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2004 and my Masters of Science degree from Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana in 2007. I travelled to Long Beach to obtain my license in Marriage and Family Therapy and have been working and living here ever since. I found my forever home here!

I began virtual therapy work in 2018, and with the heavy need for mental health services during the COVID19 pandemic and quarantine, I re-opened my private practice in 2020. I currently see clients in my office in Long Beach and virtually via video or phone call.

My core beliefs in my work with clients:

HOLISTIC HEALING: We each have the unique capacity to heal ourselves, our traumas, our negative thinking and our relationships. That being said, many of us need additional support to access these healing potentials. My work with SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and  EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps to assist this process.

RELATIONSHIPS: Our struggles and success do not exist in a vacuum. And we usually don’t notice we need help until a loved one tells us. The benefits of therapy can have a dramatic impact on these relationships and create a much better life. Therapy is an investment in one’s relationship with self and relationships with others.

GOALS: Moving towards one’s goals does not come naturally for most of us.  Our society teaches us to ‘be realistic,’ ‘be independent’ and to dream small.  Chances are, you are already doing something differently than the maladaptive patterns you’ve gotten stuck in.  Let’s discover these differences together!

GROUPS: The healing power of group support can’t be denied. Learning skills in a group of individuals with shared experiences can validate and remind you that you’re not alone. Starting in September, I’ll be offering two groups: Anger Management for adults and Jealousy in Open Relationships (Consensual Non-Monogamy). Please see the GROUP tab for updated information on these upcoming groups!

MY IDEAL CLIENT: 

• For individual therapy: Clients within the state of California that are looking for confidential and virtual psychotherapy services
• Adults (18-60) who are experiencing anger that simmers below the surface or explodes without control
• Those who struggle with relationships currently or past relationships that have caused pain
• Adults that have experienced trauma in childhood or adulthood
• Adults in a consensually non-monogamous relationship who want to resolve conflict/face jealousy/build healthier communication patterns

I offer free 20 minute phone consultations to confirm goodness of fit. 

Feel free to email me if you’d like to learn more about working together: LBCTherapy@Gmail.com.