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Pathways Psychological Services

our THERAPISTS
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Barbara Benson, RN, MA, LPC

Location:

  • Pathways Psychological Services Golden Valley

Barb enjoys working with children, teens, adults and entire families on a variety of issues.  She has specialized training in treating anxiety disorders such as Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  She has led workshops on anxiety and how to parent anxious kids.  When working with children, Barb involves the parents, incorporating parent education as a way of empowering parents and helping build family stability.  With a background in pediatric nursing, Barb has worked with children and families for many years and continues to enjoy the challenges they present.  Although she works with clients on a variety of issues, her special interests include:

Philosophy

My primary therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral (CBT).  Along with CBT, I utilize Interpersonal Therapy, Play Therapy, or Family Systems-based therapy depending on the needs of the client.  When clients express a desire, I find it valuable to incorporate spirituality and Scripture in the treatment process.  I believe a positive therapeutic relationship is crucial for effective treatment and I endeavor to meet each client where they are emotionally and spiritually.  Therapy is viewed as a collaborative process and I encourage clients to be actively engaged in order to receive the most benefit.

Licensures & Certifications

  • MN Licensed Professional Counselor
  • MN Licensed Registered Nurse

Education & Additional Training:

  • University of St. Thomas, MA in Counseling Psychology
  • University of Minnesota, BA in Sociology
  • Normandale Community College, AS in Nursing

Selected Links

Selected Books

Mens & Womens Issues:

  • The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, by Edmund Bourne, PhD
  • Worry: Hope And Help for A Common Condition, Edward Hallowell, MD
  • Stop Obsessing:  How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions,  by Edna Foa, PhD and Reid Wilson, PhD
  • Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD and Elyse Resch, MS, RD
  • Overcoming Binge Eating, by Christopher Fairburn, MD
  • Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals, by Ian Osborn, MD
  • When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough, by Antony and Swinson
  • Dying From Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety and Phobia, by Markway, Carmin, Pollard, and Flynn
  • Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness, by Maureen Pratt
  • I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye:  Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One, by Brook Noel and Pamela Blair, PhD
  • Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve, by Lewis Smedes
  • Shame and Grace: Healing the Shame We Don't Deserve, by Lewis Smedes
  • What’s So Amazing About Grace, by Philip Yancey

Parenting, Child, & Teen:

  • Helping Your Anxious Child, by Rapee, Spence, Cobham, and Wignall
  • Freeing Your Child From Anxiety, by Tamar Chansky, PhD
  • Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety or School Refusal, by Andrew Eisen, PhD and Linda Engler, PhD
  • If Your Adolescent Has an Anxiety Disorder, by Edna Foa, PhD and Linda Wasmer Andrews
  • When Girls Feel Fat: Helping Girls Through Adolescence, by Sandra Friedman
  • Boundaries with Kids, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
  • Boundaries With Teens: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, by Dr. John Townsend
  • The Explosive Child, by Ross Greene, PhD
  • Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen, by David Walsh, PhD
  •  The Optimistic Child, by Martin Seligman
  • The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them, by Elaine Aron
  • Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
  • Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce, by M. Gary Neuman
  • Talking With Children About Loss: Words, Strategies, and Wisdom to Help Children Cope with Death, Divorce, and Other Difficult Times,  by Maria Trozzi, Med

Children:

  • Let’s Talk About Feeling Angry, by Joy Berry  (ages 4-8)
  • Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop: Why We Do Things We Can’t Stop. An OCD Storybook, by E. Katia  Moritz, PhD and Jennifer Jablonsky  (ages 4-8) 
  • Up and Down The Worry Hill: A Children’s Book about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Its Treatment,                  by Aureen Pinto Wagner, PhD  (ages 6-10)
  •  A Thought is Just A Thought: A Story of Living With OCD, by Leslie Talley  (ages 6-12)
  • David and The Worry Beast, by Anne Marie Guanci  (ages 6-12)
  • Don't Pop Your Cork on Mondays!: The Children's Anti-Stress Book, by Adolph Moser (ages 9-12)
  • Don't Feed the Monster on Tuesdays!: The Children's Self-Esteem Book, by Adolph Moser  (ages 9-12)
  • Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss, by Michaelene Mundy  (ages 6-12)
  • When Someone Very Special Dies, by Marge Heegaard  (Workbook format for ages 5-12)
  • Tear Soup: A Recipe For Healing After Loss, by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck Deklyen  (ages 6-adult)
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