Benjamin Friday (he/him)

LMFT
Accepting Clients

Hi! My name is Ben and I approach all my clients with a non-judgmental, compassionate attitude.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples
  • Adolescent/Teen

About My Clients

Feeling overwhelmed because of something scary or terrible that happened? Do you sometimes try to talk about it and others around you don't seem to understand or know how to help? Recovering from trauma no longer has to be something people suffer from for years without relief. We understand how the body responds in very normal ways to abnormal circumstances. Working with clients through these moments helps us take back control of our lives and feel empowered again.

My Background and Approach

My approach involves helping people build new skills and strategies for difficult emotions and situations, along with increasing our insight and understanding of why old habits have formed over time. This means we spend some time talking about upbringing, family dynamics, and childhood to be sure, but we also look at the present moment and build new, concrete skills to begin making changes now. These skills are developed together to find what fits you best. For folks who are interested (or other therapy nerds out there!) I pull from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), humanistic or persons centered approaches, Solution Focused or strength based, and a healthy mix of Gestalt and Buddhism psychology for the focus on the present moment and being mindful.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe that every person on this planet deserves dignity, compassion and respect. I believe that all people are capable of making change if they want to, but also recognize that change is difficult and not a linear path. Many clients I work with come from a variety of backgrounds, and I whole heatedly support people from the LGBTQIA+, Kink and BDSM, Polyamory, and other such diverse communities. I enjoy what I do and find great meaning in my work, but also recognize that meaning and purpose can be found in a wealth of other places, and enjoy helping others find where their peace and compassion live.

Techniques I Use

Specialties
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Humanistic Therapy Trauma Therapy
Other Techniques
  • Anger Management Therapy
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Couples Counseling
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Eclectic Therapy
  • Existential Therapy
  • Family Systems
  • Feminist Therapy
  • Gestalt Therapy
  • Humanistic Therapy
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy
  • Person-Centered (Rogerian)
  • Trauma Therapy

Issues I Treat

Specialties
Grief or Loss Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Other Issues
  • Abuse
  • ADHD Therapists
  • Aging Concerns
  • Anger Issues
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Bipolar
  • Body Image Issues
  • Burnout
  • Depression
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence
  • Eating Disorders
  • Family Conflict
  • Gender Identity Therapy
  • Grief or Loss
  • Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma
  • Insomnia
  • LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Men's Issues
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Parenting
  • Personality Disorders
  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Racial Identity
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Sexual Abuse or Assault
  • Sexual Problems
  • Spirituality
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Systemic Oppression Therapy
  • Teen Issues
  • Veterans/Military Service
  • Women's Issues
Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross of California
  • Cigna
I offer online counseling in the following states:

At A Glance

  • Experience: 9 years of practice
  • Rate: $160 - 160/session

Reach out to Benjamin