- Years in practice
- 11
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Idaho
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- LGBT
About Benjamin
Benjamin Lara is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 11 years of experience. He centers sessions on the individual and focuses on clear, practical steps to reduce stress and manage difficult emotions. Parents will find straightforward guidance about common concerns like sleep, eating, and parenting strain.
He uses a person-centered style that aims to meet people where they are. That means conversations focus on what matters to the client and on realistic goals that fit daily life.
Background and approach
He also draws on cognitive behavioral tools to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and build new habits. Motivational interviewing is part of his approach when people want to change behaviors such as substance use or other habits that cause strain. Mindfulness techniques are offered to help with anxiety, compassion fatigue, and managing strong emotions in stressful moments.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas are used to help clarify values and take small steps toward them. Benjamin has worked with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, and relationship difficulty. He also supports those facing chronic illness, caregiver stress, and challenges around intimacy and self-esteem.
He is experienced addressing parenting-related worries and blended family issues. Sessions are practical and respectful. Benjamin aims to create a nonjudgmental space where people can talk through concerns, try new strategies, and track small changes over time.
He practices in Idaho and conducts sessions in English.
What Benjamin works with
Everything Benjamin lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Benjamin helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- ADHD
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
Approaches Benjamin lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Practical therapy approaches for online care
Benjamin blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a way that aims to move people toward what matters while changing thoughts and actions that get in the way. ACT supports clarifying values and taking small committed steps, which can help with parenting stress, anxiety, and life transitions. CBT looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and offers concrete skills to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and address mood challenges.He also uses Client-Centered Therapy principles by keeping sessions focused on the person's goals and responding with empathy and nonjudgmental listening. Finding the right mix of these approaches is collaborative; the therapist will talk with the client about goals, try different strategies, and adjust the plan based on what works best for the person's life and schedule.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let people read facial cues and hold longer conversations, while phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in fits a work break. Live chat and text messaging can be useful for brief updates, coaching prompts, or continuing progress between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy parenting life and to keep momentum between meetings.
Questions people ask about Benjamin
What concerns does Benjamin often address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, sleep and eating problems, and related concerns listed in his specialties.
What is his general therapy style?
He uses a person-centered approach that tailors sessions to each person's goals and needs, combining practical strategies and a nonjudgmental attitude.
How long has he been practicing clinically?
Benjamin has 11 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker working across a variety of behavioral health concerns.
Where does he provide services and what is his credential?
He holds the LCSW credential and practices in Idaho as indicated in his profile.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different scheduling and communication needs.
How are fees and billing handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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