Sydney Benedick

About Me:

Hey, I’m Syd!  Here’s a bit about me (before I learn all about you). 

My Approach:

My counseling approach is “person-centered” at its core, focused on creating a strong, supportive therapeutic relationship that allows for real growth and change.  I stay highly attuned to each client’s needs and adapt my methods accordingly.  I commonly draw from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help facilitate progress toward our co-created treatment goals.  That’s a lot of technical words just to describe the science-backed ways counselors can help people address concerns and reach their goals — we can always talk more about it in session.

What this really means:

“Person-centered” counseling (created by Carl Rogers) is based on a simple but powerful idea: people have the ability to grow, heal, and figure things out — if they have the right kind of support.

So, hopefully, while working with me, you will believe (and feel) that…

1. You are supported.
2. You are accepted (unconditionally). 
3. You are capable of change. 
4. You are the expert on your own life and experiences. 

Some Other Things I Believe That Guide My Work:

1. People are fundamentally good. (Yes, that includes you.) 
2. Love/connection is important. It may even be the most important thing we do.  
3. We need hope. (Don’t worry, you can borrow some of mine.) 
4. We are all capable of healing. So, give it a real shot. 

Areas of Special (Clinical) Interest:

1. Stigmatized conditions or experiences 
2. Chronic health conditions 
3. Shame and guilt 
4. Athletes 
5. Perfectionism
6. Stress management
7. Young professionals
8. Self-doubt  

Education: 

I received my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health and Addictions Counseling from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. 

Experience: 

I have worked with a diverse range of clients in outpatient therapy, including children, adolescents, and young adults.  I have also worked in intensive addiction treatment settings, supporting adult clients in their recovery.  

Other Interests:

I enjoy spending time with my little rescue pup, who may appear in our sessions from time to time. As a retired soccer player, I still enjoy playing pick-up soccer and watching the Premier League. Admittedly, a lot of my free time is spent sleeping, cleaning, and eating (all things I enjoy).