Merritt Posten Benz
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LSCSW, CDWF, MCLC
I am drawn to raw unfiltered courage. Going to therapy a brave choice and it takes tenacity and grit to feel differently and make changes in our lives. When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we become the author who writes the brave new ending. Together we will examine the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are holding you back identify the new choices and practices that will move you toward more authentic and wholehearted living. Rarely is that decision a whim or an impulse, and most likely you've been thinking about this for a while. Now here you are; being curious and maybe nervous and scared at the same time. In my opinion - that is bravery and brave things are rarely comfortable, but always worth trying.
Whether you are looking to make a shift in your relationships, provide help and guidance for your children, or you have reached a point in your own life where you no longer want to "figure it out alone"- you have come to a good place to get moving. It can get better.
We all struggle at times - with anxiety, depression, and stress - along with the circumstances in our lives that contribute to these feelings. The "feelings" themselves are never wrong. Where we get into trouble (and can feel stuck in them) is when we can't make sense of it all and isolation creeps in. You're not in this alone.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: LGBTQ+, Men, Military / Veterans, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
- Emotionally Focused (EFT)
- Family Systems
- Gottman Method
- Imago Relationship Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Jungian
- Multicultural
- Narrative
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Approach Description: It's all yours for the taking. How would you feel if you were doing exactly what you want right now? Whatever the obstacles are, they are problems to be solved, not reasons to settle and wait for them to disappear.
Being "stuck" is a choice.
I am a Certified Daring Way™ facilitator based on the research of Brené Brown, PhD. All Daring Way facilitators have completed a training certification process led by Brené Br
Executive Coaching & Business Development
I motivate successful professional women to stop giving their best work away and claim their power by being their own boss and launching the company of their dreams.
Change happens & experience matters- both yours and mine.
Education & Credentials
Merritt Posten Benz Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LSCSW, CDWF, MCLC
- Female
- License # 4708
- Licensed in Kansas
- Practicing Since 2003
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 275
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I operate a small private practice where majority of my clients are by known referral only. I do however hold a few spots at a sliding scale that are open to the public. If you are interested in securing one of these spots, please include why you think my approach would be a good fit for you and what issues/circumstances you are wanting to navigate in our work together.
- Out of Network
Merritt Posten Benz Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Kansas City, MO and Prairie Village, KS
- Available Online for residents of Kansas, Missouri
- Online Therapy Details: Teletherapy via Doxy (HIPPA Secure, Compliant)
It's already happening.....the change you want.They are created from your decisions. Whether those decisions are intentional or passive, we create and re-create our lives every day. Stop waiting for luck to find you and start building the life you want NOW. You had a question, a need, a curiosity and you landed here on this page, at this precise moment for a reason. I believe I am meant to be a part of your story and join you in your work for the change you want in your life.
Therapy for Teens, Individuals and Couples
Professional Growth, Goal Setting & Entrepreneurship Support
Daring Way™ Groups, "Book Clubs" and LGBTQ+ Diversity & Inclusion Trainings
I am a Certified The Daring Way ™ Facilitator. The Daring Way ™ is based on the research of Brené Brown, PhD and all certified Daring Way™ programs are led by facilitators who have completed TDW training and certification process, led by Brené Brown, PhD and TDW Faculty. The primary focus is on exploring topics such as vulnerability, courage, shame, and worthiness & developing shame resilience skills and developing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead.
Executive Coaching & Business Development
I motivate successful professional women to stop giving their best work away and claim their power by being their own boss and launching the company of their dreams.
Retreats & Conflict Resolution
Non-Profit Board Development
Grow. Learn & Build Community
Groups, Workshops & Trainings
Daring Way™ Groups, Programs & Intensives
LGBTQ+ Diversity & Inclusion Trainings
It's all yours for the taking. How would you feel if you were doing exactly what you want right now? Whatever the obstacles are, they are problems to be solved, not reasons to settle and wait for them to disappear.
Being "stuck" is a choice.
Before private practice, Merritt was the Program Director and helped open Gilda’s Club Kansas City where she provided individual and group counseling to people living with cancer and their family members and friends. Before moving to Kansas City, she participated in a post-graduate fellowship at the Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine where she provided both individual and family counseling in a community based setting. In New York she was the worked with various high risk teen population groups as Program Director for the Juvenile Justice Initiative, a new clinical evidenced-based treatment program (called Multi-Systemic Therapy) that provides intensive in home family therapy for adjudicated teens and their families, as an alternative to incarceration. Although her work brings her great satisfaction and joy, Merritt’s ideal day is being knee deep in a spring fed trout stream casting flies, hoping for a fish to rise, and celebrating with a cold beer on the river afterwards.