Benjamin Young, MA, LMHCA

Experience

Much of my work has been with youth and families. I began my journey, well before my current position, in a juvenile detention center. I have always valued the potential that each of us hold. My work in corrections simply provided the catalyst for the crystallization of my perspective. I realized that motivation is not created through yelling, threat of violence, or any sort of coercion. We each have the desire to be collaborative, successful, and respectful towards others - sometimes we just lack the tools.

So, I worked in the corrections field for nearly three years. During which time I began to study psychology and human behavior. I would become a life coach, working with young men on male issues, as well as others who simply found themselves at a bit of an impasse in their journey towards self-actualization. I thought parenting workshops based on the book How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk. After completing my BA in psychology, I began my carrier directly involved in mental health field and the treatment of DSM diagnoses. I provided case management and parental training in a foster care setting. I worked with at-risk-youth in urban areas of Cincinnati and rural counties in proximity. This experience brought me into contact with a variety of youth client's, parents, and family clients.

After a couple of years I found myself reconnected with the detention facility, working as a qualified mental health specialist for youth involved in the court system. I often reflect on how my experiences working in this facility came full-circle. I was now able to advocate more effectively for this population. As I provided clinical services to this my client's and families, I continued my work with the inner city youth and families of Cincinnati. This would lead to providing substance abuse counseling services for these youth, and family counseling.

Each of my experiences has pulled back the veil a little more in regards to the nature of the human element. As far as I have come, learned, shared, and understood, the most profound lesson is that to ensure purposeful forward progression we must first seek to understand.

To wrap it up, we do not exist in a bubble, no matter how far we may try to distance ourselves from our origins. Continually, those Dark Nights of the Soul (Thomas Moore, 2008) are more than life events to be avoided, dreaded, and loathed. Those moments of adversity, depression, anxiety, strife, and so forth, are, in my perspective, life's fermentation vessels, from which pours a sweet richness into the world - into ourselves.

Orientation

I like to think of myself and my practice as following in the foot steps of Existentialism. More specifically, I might align myself as a "Yalomian". Yalom is a psychiatrist who is known for his approach to group therapy with a flair for the existential or relational aspect of the therapeutic engagement. I have studied plenty of Gestalt and consider myself a student of this modality. The "here and now" focus of Gestalt therapy is a wonderful way to broach the affective state.

I often conceptualize motivation in terms of Choice Theory and lean into a Reality Therapy approach, as well. I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and have been informed on other forms of cognitive and behavioral methods of therapy: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), CBT Mindfulness, and other applications of CBT. I am trauma informed and actively studying NeuroAffective Relational Model of working with developmental trauma.

It is my belief that we are a sum of our lived experience (nurture; conscious and unconscious) influenced by our physiology (nature), navigating the present environment (now). We do not exist in a bubble; however, perhaps some of us are more reclusive, this would not insulate our bubble from the trajectory of others' bubbles and the wind we ride on.

Training

B.A. Psychology ~ Ashford University; Clinton, IA

- Child Psychology ~ Penn Foster

- Life Coaching ~ Fowler Wainwright International (FWI)

- Group Facilitator ~ National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists (NACBT) and FWI

- Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society

- Golden Key Honor Society (During M.A. public admin studies)

M.S. Environmental Policy and Mgmt: Environmental Sustainability ~ American Public University; Charles Town, WV

- Leave No Trace Trainer

- Climbing Wall Instructor (Certified, exp.) ~ American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)

- Single Pitch Instructor (Trained) ~ AMGA

M.A. Mental Health Counseling ~ Xavier University; Cincinnati, OH

- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy w/ Children ~ NACBT

- Reality Therapy/Choice Theory (Basic Course) ~ William Glasser Institute; Dr. Robert Wubbolding

- Gestalt Therapy ~ Indianapolis Gestalt Institute; Charlie & Anne Bowman & Gestalt Institute of Central Ohio; Norman Shub

- Mindfulness/Wellness Counseling ~ Xavier University; Dr. Michelle Hall

- Chi Sigma Iota: Sigma Zeta Chi; Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International

Doctoral Candidate Year One: PsyD Clinical Psychology: Neuropsychology ~ Antioch University; Seattle, WA

Life Stuff

Outside of therapeutic settings and study, I find myself called into the wild places of our world. I have a passion for environmental restoration and conservation (a bit of a Leopoldian). I seek adventure. The picture on this site, is from a past adventure. It was taken as group of three, as we climbed our way up towards Luna Peak in the North Cascades, Pickett Range. For me, these quiet moments away from the noise and bustle, combined with the right amount of struggle allows me the ability to reconnect with...whatever it is I need plugged into.

These moments are not necessarily for everyone, and not everybody seeks out this level of environmental engagement. However; I feel it is important for us to find what it is we need in our lives to achieve connectivity, or perhaps love. To feel a sense of freedom that permits achievement. To perhaps find a little fun along the way, rising above a persistent state of survival, into the realm of thriving.