Carmen Benway
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling
MS, LMHC, NCC, MHP, CCTP- Level 2
Hi there! My name is Carmen Benway. I am a neuro-informed counselor with over 10+ years of experience working with clients of all ages. I work primarily with those who have experienced childhood trauma, ADHD, anxiety disorders, work related issues, and injured workers.
I started out my career in 2010 as a financial counselor for youth transitioning out of the foster care system. I eventually ended up becoming a provider for DSHS working with children, youth, and families involved with the foster care system. I also worked in a psychiatric hospital and a community based mental health program with geriatric clients who had a history of long-term psychiatric hospitalization. Many of these clients had complex mental health challenges, behavioral issues and disabilities. I provided counseling, case management, and behavioral therapy to the client and their adult family homes to help stabilize them in the home, and prevent hospitalization. I have been in private practice since 2021.
My approach to counseling is collaborative. We will meet to discuss initial issues and concerns, set some goals and come up with a treatment plan that works for you. I use a combination of neuro-education with traditional evidenced based counseling approaches.
Outside of counseling work, I enjoy going for walks, outdoor activities, spending time with family, or attending church activities. I can provide spiritual insight to those who are looking for a faith based approach.
Areas of Expertise
Counseling Issues
Complex TraumaAnxietyInattention IssuesDepressionHopelessnessChildhood traumaPhysical and sexual abuse issuesParental abandonmentAttachment issuesOther TraumaGrief and Loss Self-esteem issuesBehavior managementDisability & PainNeurocognitive disordersLife transitionsHospice/ End of Life CareChild and youth AdultsGeriatricChristian CounselingMotherless daughtersMotherless sonsRejection IssuesReligious TraumaOvercoming Failures
Mental Health Diagnosis
Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Major depressive Disorder (MDD) Mood DisordersPanic Disorder Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorders)Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)Dissociative disorders Bipolar disorder SchizophreniaTBIAdult ADHD- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Counseling Approaches
● Neuroscience Informed Counseling● Trauma Focused Counseling● Sensorimotor psychotherapy● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)● Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)● Comprehensive Resource Model● Attachment-Based Counseling● Internal Family Systems● Narrative Therapy● Polyvagal Theory● Prolonged Exposure therapy● Somatic therapies● Somatic Experiencing● Solution Focused Therapy● Strength-based Counseling● Christian Counseling● Multi-cultural counseling● Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)