Ben is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) licensed in New York state. He has a master’s degree in social work from Hunter College, as well as a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Yale University and a background working in education and theater. Before joining Alssaro, Ben provided therapy in college and nonprofit agency settings, serving a variety of populations including the LGBTQ community, veterans, and youth experiencing homelessness. Ben practices therapy from a relational, psychodynamic foundation, while creatively incorporating techniques from other therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, IFS therapy, narrative therapy, somatic therapy, and mindfulness. He believes each client is the expert on their own experience and that his role as therapist is not to know better than them; rather it is to accompany them with curiosity and care as they work on better understanding their history, healing their present, and shaping their life towards the future they want to have. His approach is collaborative, warm, and conscious of the oppressive systems of power that shape our lives. Ben works with adolescents, young adults, and adults. He loves working with clients from all walks of life, navigating all kinds of challenges. Clients may find Ben an especially good fit if they are: LGBTQ; questioning their gender, transitioning, or simply seeking trans-affirming therapy; engaged in nontraditional relationship models; seeking a nonjudgemental space to talk about sex, sex work, or sexual trauma; struggling with chronic pain; or a young person (or a person of any age) looking to be supported without being belittled or controlled.