Ben Barrett,

Behind the same argument, the same worry, or the same distance, there is often a younger part of us still holding an old need: to feel seen, to feel safe, to matter to someone. Ben Barrett helps individuals, couples, and families understand the patterns that keep them stuck, where those patterns began, and the feelings underneath. With curiosity in place of criticism, you move through your story at a pace that feels safe, so every part of you can be heard and no one has to carry it alone.

As an Associate Professional Counselor, he works with adults who feel anxious and exhausted, men working through shame and identity, people struggling with OCD and scrupulosity, couples caught in reactive cycles, and teens and young adults, including those who are neurodiverse.

Ben’s approach is relational, curious, and unhurried. He draws on Emotionally Focused Therapy and Internal Family Systems to help clients understand the protective parts of themselves and the attachment patterns shaping their closest relationships. He also pays close attention to the beliefs underneath painful emotions, using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy as a foundation, and his trauma work is informed by Lifespan Integration. The aim is never to force change. It is to help clients feel understood first, so change can follow at a safe pace.

Before becoming a counselor, Ben spent about ten years on Young Life staff, building trust with teenagers and families. That experience shaped how he shows up in the room: down to earth, steady, and genuinely interested in the person in front of him. Teens often find him easy to talk to, and parents find him clear and respectful about their role.

Ben holds a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Alabama. He is SYMBIS certified and enjoys premarital work with couples who want a strong start. Faith is welcome in his counseling room for clients who want it, including those navigating doubt, deconstruction, or spiritual wounds, and it is never assumed for those who do not.

Ben practices under the supervision of Kendra Gilbert, MA, LPC, CPCS.

Specializations

Ben specializes in helping individuals and couples navigate trauma, anxiety, and relational challenges, integrating faith-based care with evidence-based therapies like REBT and EFT.

Trauma & Emotional Healing

• Childhood trauma
• Spiritual trauma
• Emotional dysregulation

Anxiety & Stress Management

• Generalized anxiety
• Faith-related anxiety
• Performance-based pressure (perfectionism, burnout)

Premarital & Relationship Counseling

• SYMBIS Certified
• Faith-informed premarital work
• Communication & emotional connection

Self-Compassion & Identity Work

• Inner critic work (IFS-informed)
• Christian identity integration
• Self-worth & boundaries