Transgender Therapists in West Chester, PA

In my work, I seek to make a connection that will cultivate a safe, judgement-free space to work through challenging issues & promote self-discovery. My stance in life and in my practice is anti-racist, sex positive, LGBTQ+ competent and gender affirming. I recognize my privilege as a cis-gender, white, male professional and strive to position myself as an equal collaborator in the processes of growth and change within my clients. Coming from an entertainment industry background, I have worked extensively with artists, musicians, actors and entrepreneurs and understand the creative process,

Benjamin (pronounced Ben-ya-meen) Lasner, M.S., is a pre-licensed counselor. He is compassionate, open, and committed to creating a therapeutic relationship where everyone feels safe and respected. Benjamin understands and values the perspectives of both sides of the therapeutic relationship and firmly believes that two individuals sitting in a room, and having a conversation, is one of the most powerful, healing events that can occur. Benjamin strives to make the therapeutic environment welcoming, giving you his full focus and attention. It is important to meet each client where they are in order to help them achieve their goals.

I am a white, queer, disabled, non-binary femme. I have worked as a therapist in a variety of settings, including inpatient mental health facilities, outpatient community mental health services, women's shelters, and university settings. These experiences have led me to pursue a liberation-based, anti-carceral, and non-pathologizing approach to mental health support. I have worked with individuals experiencing a variety of expressions of distress including: depression, anxiety, stress, struggles with intimacy and boundaries, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, complicated and disenfranchised grief, and trauma-related stress.

Therapy with me is in a safe, friendly and deeply supportive environment. We listen to your needs and together choose the most effective solutions to lead you back to happiness and fulfillment. I am committed to your personal growth, self-compassion and lasting happiness. My style is warm and honest with humor, open feedback and creativity. Together we can create positive change. With 30 years of tools to choose from, there is something to find and explore and gain in every session that will support your goals.

Do you feel disconnected from your partner? Does it feel like you are often walking on egg shells when he/she is around? Are things starting to feel hopeless? My primary specialty is couple's therapy. I am committed to working with couples and helping them rediscover a safe and secure bond. This is a goal worth striving for: research has shown that secure connections with our romantic partners help us feel happier and more optimistic, reduces depression, and increases the quality of our lives.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Equestrian, Yoga Teacher, Student of Life... I am curious, interested, hungry for more...I am tattooed, spry, witty...I say these things not to brag about myself, but to simple put out the intention behind Pathways to Peace. I am not defined by a single aspect, of my life and neither are you! That being said, considering we are all unique beings with our individual needs, qualities and experiences, how is it reasonable to expect one to follow one path of healing, typically traditional psychotherapy and/or medication management?

In person and remote available. Therapy supports positive, healthy personal changes, improvement of anxiety and depression, and progress toward desired goals. Therapy helps clients improve relationships, cope with negative people or influences in their lives, and develop responsible, confident self-images. Individual Therapy, Couples or Co-Parenting Counseling and Life Coaching are available for all ages and backgrounds. The Gay St office is in the center of West Chester, near WCU and directly behind/adjacent to the Justice Center. St Peter’s office is situated along French Creek in historic St Peter's Village.

Is it finally time to invest in yourself? There is so much pressure to be strong and handle everything on your own that we forget that we all need support. Asking for help in processing through these challenges shows the strength and courage needed to make real and meaningful changes. While I will always make sure to listen, be empathetic and supportive, I will also be direct and will challenge you to identify the patterns in your life that are contributing to your current distress. I will work collaboratively to help you identify and prioritize the values that are important to you and live more intentionally with these in mind.

My style as a therapist is characterized by warmth, honesty, and a non-judgmental, open approach. I strive to help patients understand the nature of their problems and create solutions that can be brought about in a relatively short period of time. I use a range of interventions, including humanistic, existential and psychodynamic approaches. I encourage clients to consider their strengths, take an active role in psychotherapy, and practice positive change in their lives.

My ideal client would present solution-focused with a desire to gain insight and understanding of presenting symptomatically and how those symptoms manifested. Their issues, regardless of being situational or organic, should be addressed directly with kindness and acceptance without judgement. The need should be to not only identify and address their current symptoms but also to work towards a more profound understanding of why such symptoms are present and how to create an opportunity for change. The goal should support a progressive change to improve quality of life.

I am a Licensed Social Worker with a passion for decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health and promoting the health and well being of my clients. For my undergraduate degree, I moved from Central Jersey (Yes! It exists!) to South Jersey to attend Stockton University. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work with a Minor in Behavioral Neuroscience from Stockton, and then moved on to attend graduate school in Philadelphia. I received my Master of Social Work Degree with a clinical concentration from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice in May of 2020.

My ideal client would be ready for a challenge. Someone who wants their worldview expanded, prepared to find internal and external connection with the world. My ideal client would be someone who also wants their race, sexuality, or gender affirmed by their clinician.

As a Licensed Social Worker my goal is to empower individuals and promote human potential. My experience includes working with dually-diagnosed children and adolescents, many of whom are navigating life transitions, behavioral challenges and emotional distress; as well as adults who are feeling challenged by life’s hurdles. I am a strong advocate for individual empowerment, but also look to how we can grow through our eco-systemic support systems. I enjoy working with families, and often find that through focusing on the relational dynamics people can increase connection and find the support they need to feel emotionally empowered.

Therapy is a powerful and transformative tool that can help individuals overcome a wide range of challenges and improve their overall wellbeing. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply feeling stuck in your life, therapy provides a safe and supportive space where you can explore your emotions, gain insight into your thoughts and behaviors, and develop the skills and strategies you need to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and resilience. Therapy is not just for those in crisis; it's for anyone who wants to live their best life.

My office is currently accepting new neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) clients, but please be aware that my talk therapy/EMDR schedule is currently full.