JD Benson, MMFT Intern

ME AS A PERSON

I’m glad you’re here. I’m JD, and my pronouns are she/her. I was born and raised in Missouri and have lived in Nashville for almost 19 years. My quality time is spent with my husband/partner, pre-teen daughter, family, friends, and my dog and two cats. I strive to simplify the complications of relationships and emotions and meet clients where they are. Therapy and self-exploration have been a vital part of my life and I look forward to sharing that process with you. My goal is to help you find emotional balance and learn to be present so you can live intentionally and meaningfully.

I come from a large, close-knit family and have experienced the unique dynamics and challenges that come with fostering positive family relationships. I understand the many roles we all play in our daily lives and am here to help you achieve harmony in your self, work, family and beyond. I will consider the culture from which you were raised, and the experiences that have impacted you.

My approach to therapy is collaborative. I provide a place of support to fit your needs and values to establish trust between us. Some people fear asking for help because they don’t want to feel weak or burdensome, or may not have had a positive experience with therapy in the past. I offer a space where you can verbalize, process and practice positive transitions and feel heard and understood. Whether it is through building new skills or learning to cope with challenges, we will create the kind of therapy that suits you. I focus on creating change, stability and building resiliency using your strengths and resources.

MY THERAPEUTIC APPROACH IS:

Empathetic

Affirming

Holistic

Relational

Non-judgmental

Client-centered

Compassionate

Culturally-sensitive

Collaborative

My work focuses on individuals, couples, children and minors who are looking to make impactful, positive change in their lives. The changes typically involve overcoming established, often unhelpful, patterns in relationships. I also enjoy exploring areas of life transitions, parenting difficulties, communication issues, and specific interactions with friends, partners and family. In therapy, clients often describe feelings of anxiety or depression. Together, we will learn to recognize the effect those emotions have on one’s partnership, marriage, friendships, family dynamics, career, school and lifestyle, and find ways to successfully reconnect.

MY TRAINING

I have a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from Missouri State University and am currently a Master’s level student in Lipscomb University’s Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program, under the supervision of Cadey Phipps, LMFT (license #1348) and Jenny Matern, LMFT. I utilize Bowenian Therapy, a process that focuses on self-differentiation and generational family patterns, as well as Internal Family System (IFS), a talk therapy in which you work with a therapist to identify and understand the specific sub-personalities or “parts” that make up your internal emotional system. My continued studies will garner an MFT with a specialization in play therapy, a therapy used with children who might struggle with expressing themselves or their emotions to express themselves through play. I have hopes of completing the requirements for IFS certification and am completing training for Gottman Couples Therapy, a research-based therapy with the shared goals of empowering couples, introducing new problem-solving skills and creating shared meaning within the couple.

 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)