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- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
About Benia
Benia Thomas, LCSW, is licensed in New York and New Jersey and has 12 years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family concerns, LGBT issues, trauma and abuse, parenting and intimacy-related problems. She describes her work as collaborative and goal-focused, drawing from different methods to help people clarify what they want to change and how to get there.
Thomas trained in social work at Fordham University and Lehman College. Early in her career she worked in the New York City foster care system and later provided counseling and psychoeducation to incarcerated women with severe mental illness. She also has experience supervising master-level social workers.
Her approach combines Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. She says she avoids a one-size-fits-all method and instead adapts techniques to each person's situation. Sessions emphasize practical steps, clear goals, and active collaboration between therapist and client.
Thomas identifies as a lesbian and has over a decade of professional experience with LGBT community concerns. She notes that lived experience informs her understanding of issues common to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Clients can expect a direct and down-to-earth style. Thomas blends professional experience, creativity, and occasional humor while working on concrete skills and changes. She asks people to clarify goals and then supports them in practicing new ways of coping and relating.
Her background includes work with adolescents and young adults, foster care populations, incarcerated women, clinical supervision, and group facilitation. This range informs her practical, goal-oriented approach to counseling.
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How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what the person actually says. It helps when someone needs support naming their goals and feeling heard while they sort through decisions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress by offering clear exercises and homework to practice between sessions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review goals, symptoms, and personal preferences and then suggest one or more approaches to try. That decision is collaborative and can be adjusted over time based on what helps most.
Confirm the available session options before booking so you know how sessions are scheduled. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and support shorter check-ins when needed. It can also allow people to practice skills in everyday settings and bring real-life situations into session for discussion.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
New York, New Jersey
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family matters, LGBT issues, trauma and abuse, parenting, intimacy concerns, anger, self-esteem, career shifts, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a collaborative, active approach that combines Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused methods. The focus is on clarifying goals and practicing concrete changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience in social work, including direct practice and clinical supervision.
Which credentials and states does she hold?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Licenses are held in New York (NY LCSW) and New Jersey (NJ LCSW).
What languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions billed and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule the first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.