Emily Benefield, MSW, LCSWA

CONTACT: (919) 647-4600 EXT 719 Hi! My name is Emily Benefield (pronouns: she/her/hers), Master of Social Work (MSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA). I earned my undergraduate degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from NC State University in 2018 and soon after, my Master of Social Work with a concentration in Direct Practice from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020. My passion for social justice, gender equality and helping others is what makes me feel energized and excited about my work. The Triangle has been my lifelong home and I currently live in Raleigh with my 15 year old cat, Biscuit. I enjoy creating floral arrangements, listening to music, collaging, photography, being in nature and trying new foods! EXPERTISE Throughout graduate school, I gained clinical experience treating individuals in a variety of settings including a domestic violence crisis center, outpatient mental health/substance abuse facility, and psychiatric hospital. I have been fortunate to grow my therapeutic skills working with others individually and in groups, both face to face and virtually. These experiences provided clinical growth in crisis intervention, case management, and acute mental health stabilization in collaboration with a treatment team. Additionally, I have worked as an Employee Assistance Program Clinical Counselor implementing telephonic therapy with a variety of age groups and mental health concerns, life transitions, interpersonal conflict, grief, and day to day workplace stress. Throughout graduate school, I gained clinical experience treating individuals in a variety of settings including a domestic violence crisis center, outpatient mental health/substance abuse facility, and psychiatric hospital. I have been fortunate to grow my therapeutic skills working with others individually and in groups, both face to face and virtually. These experiences provided clinical growth in crisis intervention, case management, and acute mental health stabilization in collaboration with a treatment team. COUNSELING APPROACHES I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Humanistic Therapy. Most importantly, I enjoy working with others from the perspective of empowerment and a person-centered, strengths-based approach. By this I mean working with the unique needs of the individual to meet them where they are, while implementing a variety of therapeutic techniques that best align with the individual’s growth toward positive change. My clients know they are in the driver’s seat of their change process, and I am here to support and uplift them along the way. I value a safe, inclusive, non-judgmental, and collaborative environment where my clients are comfortable to “just be.” I welcome individuals of all gender, race, and cultural identities, and am committed to serving diverse populations with a culturally-conscious lens. I will show up authentically and will seek to create a safe space where we can move toward positive change together.