About the counselor

Michelle Benson is a dedicated counselor and the owner of Healing Minds Counseling. She graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in both Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Columbia College. She earned her Master's degree in 2021 from Lenior- Rhyne University. She is currently working towards her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Liberty University.

Michelle believes that our thoughts can affect our feelings and behaviors. This type of therapy is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. CBT treatment typically involves changing negative thinking patterns that leads to our negative behaviors into a more positive, problem-solving skill to cope with difficult situations. She also utilizes Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, where clients learn how to change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on the problems. She understands how stressful and scary it can be when you decide to start counseling, so she uses humor to be able to connect with her clients and to put them at ease. Sometimes just being able to laugh can be enough to raise your spirits.

She lives with her husband and their 6 pets: Maverick and Ice (dogs), Claire and Coco (cats), and Lucy and Ethel (sugar gliders). When she is not helping clients, she loves to spend time with her family, including her 2 daughters. She is excitedly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild, Elias.