Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Benach, LCPC, CST.
Hi Noelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Like many individuals in this field, I was drawn to counseling because of my personal experiences. Unfortunately, many members of my family of origin have historically and currently struggle with mental health concerns. From a young age, I found myself in a supportive role for others. I also have greatly benefited from attending my therapy sessions. I first found myself in therapy as a teenager and have since deepened my appreciation for the practice both as a clinician and a client.
Dr. Irvin D. Yalom wisely states, “Only the wounded healer can truly heal” in his novel, Lying on the Couch. I believe that my unique life experiences paired with my intersectional identities allow me to understand my clients empathically, express compassion, and facilitate hope, while still remembering that my clients are still the “experts” on themselves.
After feeling a bit lost as a soon-to-be college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I enrolled in the Masters of Counseling Psychology program at the University of Baltimore thanks to come encouragement from my best friend. As part of the program requirements, I completed 3 semesters of practicum/internship at Space Between Counseling Services (https://www.spacebetweencounselingservices.com/). Over the next few years, I evolved from a nervous practicum student to a confident fully licensed clinician.
I was able to learn the value of quality mentorship, from my supervisor, Susan Stork, LCPC, CST, as well as the ins and outs of managing an out-of-network private practice. With time, I came to wear many hats, as I served as both a clinician, intern supervisor and the director of operations. Throughout these roles, I was encouraged and supported to further my education and clinical competence through training specific to couples work, trauma, sexual health, and more. After nearly seven years, I decided to open up my own private practice and consulting service.
In January of 2023, I opened my current private practice: Noelle Benach Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC. I am grateful that the majority of my amazing clients from Space Between Counseling Services chose to follow me to my new practice. I was able to connect with new clients as well.
As a psychotherapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I work with both individual clients and folks in relationships to address concerns such as anxiety, sexual health and wellness, LGBTQIA+ concerns, trauma, grief, neurodivergence, self-esteem, and related struggles. My clients are some of the most inspiring and resilient folks you can imagine. I am eternally grateful for the trust they place in me, the hard work they do, and the unique relationship we share. They’ve challenged me to grow alongside them in ways that I never anticipated.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would not call it a smooth road. I’ve found myself facing numerous challenges in pursuit of my professional career.
Graduate School for mental health professionals is intense. In addition to managing the time and assignment requirements of multiple classes each semester, I had to manage a caseload of clients during my practicum and internships, which sometimes took upwards of 20 hours per week. Internships are mandatory unpaid learning experiences. I covered rent and my basic needs by nannying for families, pet sitting, and minor graphic/website design work.
The time requirements of school, internships, and work took a toll on me. It felt like everything else was put on the back burner, including my relationships with my then fiancé, friends, and family. There were times when I considered delaying my graduation to avoid burnout because I felt so depleted. However, it was worth the struggle and hard work in retrospect for me.
Additionally, it’s a huge risk, both financially and emotionally, to open a business. I knew going in that about 50% of all new businesses will fail within the first 5 years. Those are some scary statistics. I am a little over half a year into this journey of practice ownership so I am gaining confidence while still realizing I have so much to learn.
There were so many “What If…” scenarios that came to mind when considering leaving a successful group practice and going off on my own. What if I was not successful? What if I couldn’t afford to take care of my family in the same ways I have historically? What if I can’t attract new clients?
All the worst-case scenarios came to mind. Something I share with many of my clients is imposter syndrome. This means I often feel anxious and don’t experience my successes internally, despite being high-performing in more external or objective ways. I’ve struggled with feeling like a fraud. However, I’m learning to accept my wins and celebrate my victories, both in my professional and personal life.
At the same time, I recognize that I’ve been fortunate in many ways. I have had the emotional support and encouragement of my spouse, friends, and my own therapist most all of my existing clients graciously transitioned to my new practice. New clients continue to reach out to me for services.
The best part of all is that I genuinely love my job. It’s the greatest privilege to be trusted with someone’s innermost thoughts, secrets, and hopes. Seeing people actively work through their trauma, fears, and issues is incredibly rewarding. Their stories and growth are worth every challenge I’ve faced to be in this position.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a psychotherapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I offer mental health counseling, couples therapy, sex therapy, and Brainspotting. I offer in-person sessions in Roland Park, Baltimore, and telehealth services for clients across the state of Maryland.
Professionally, I’m best known for my work with members of the LGBTQIA+ community in navigating issues related to identity and “coming out”, queer couple concerns, and gender-affirming care, relational work with couples and consensually nonmonogamous folks, and sex therapy. I’m particularly passionate about women’s sexual wellness concerns such as anorgasmia (inability to have an orgasm), dyspareunia (sexual pain), hypoactive sexual desire disorder (low libido), and sexual arousal disorder (difficulty becoming aroused).
I think my dedication to continuing my education beyond graduate school sets me apart from other clinicians, particularly in regard to regarding and sex therapy. Before graduating with my Master’s degree from the University of Baltimore, I was able to observe levels one and two of the Gottman Method approach to couples therapy. This research-based method uses assessments and research-based interventions to help couples. In 2019, I became a Prepare/Enrich Certified Facilitator, which helped me to work with premarital couples specifically.
In 2020, broadened my couples experience by enrolling in both levels one and two of the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT). Developed by Dr. Stan Tatkin, PACT is a fusion of attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and arousal regulation. PACT has a reputation for effectively treating the most challenging couples. I also enrolled in the University of Michigan’s Sexual Health Certificate Program in both the Sex Therapy & Sex Educator track in 2020, which led me to complete the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) educational and supervision requirements to become an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in January of this year.
Continuing on this track, I recently was accepted to the Modern Sex Therapy Institute’s Clinical Sexology PhD program (https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/clinical-sexology-phd-program/) and will be beginning those classes this month. Working in the field of sex therapy, especially working with many LGBTQIA+ people, means that information is continually being updated. I believe that my dedication to seeking relevant, factual, and up-to-date information sets me apart.
I feel that my website and social media platforms intentionally highlight my values of LGBTQIA+ equality, fat positivity, and body neutrality, as well as pleasure-based consensual sexual wellness and education. I purposefully choose images of queer, fat bodies and couples to use on my website and marketing materials because I value inclusion. I felt it was important for me to publicly identify marginalized aspects of my own intersectlities as well. As a queer, fat, and neurodivergent woman I did not always have access to people who looked or thought like I did, so I used to wonder how on earth I would be successful. I hope that by not masking these parts of myself, and in turn actually being proud of these parts of myself, I can offer hope or support to others who feel or identify this way.
I also really enjoyed the creative freedom that opening my practice provided. I was able to collaborate with a close friend, Mayrí Verónica Pérez Turmero (https://maydesigns.co/) to design my logo, which incorporates the brain, hands, and my favorite color. It’s a little weird and curious, just like me.
I channeled my inner tween self (who loved graphic and website design thanks to MySpace and NeoPets) and created my own website through Squarespace. Additionally, I manage my business’s Instagram account, @NoelleBenach. I have a lot of fun creating posts and videos related to sex education, psychotherapy, and other relevant topics. It’s a cool way for me to share information with people who may or may not ever work with me in a therapeutic setting.
In addition to therapy, I also offer professional consultation, clinical supervision for LGPCs in the state of Maryland, professional training opportunities, sex education services, and more. I enjoy speaking with other practices, clinicians, and adjacent organizations about best practices in working with clients, specifically related to sex therapy, LGBTQIA+ clients, relational counseling, body neutrality, fat positivity, and more. If you’re looking for a speaker or consultant on any of these topics, please reach out.
I am accepting new daytime clients beginning in September, 2023, and offerng phone consultations now. If you think you may like to work together, please schedule a complimentary phone consultation via my website.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Going to therapy is cool. Don’t be afraid to find the right fit for you because some magical things happen when you are able to connect, feel safe, and unpack your emotions.
Pricing:
- Individual Psychotherapy – $250/ 45-minute session
- Couples/Relationship Therapy- $550 / 180-minute intake session
- Couples/Relationship Therapy- $400 / 90-minute follow-up session
- Professional Consultation/Supervision – $150/60 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NoelleBenach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noellebenach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoelleBenachCounseling
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPNooUjWHoidc4lGx373Ig
Image Credits
Sarah Diehl Photography
