Ben Nicholson, LPC

At Ben Nicholson, LPC, it is my mission to help individuals experiencing the effects of mental illness and/or other life difficulties become more active and

effective agents of their own recovery and success through the provision of high-quality holistic, collaborative treatment tailored to the individual's unique biopsychosocial-existential-spiritual strengths and needs.

I currently offer services online, with in-person sessions scheduled to become avalable in Philadelphia, PA in mid-2025. Servces include individual verbal counseling and music therapy for adults specializing in the modalities of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Ben Nicholson, LPC does not currently offer services to individuals under the age of 18. I treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, as well as supporting personal exploration and growth and assisting individuals with navigating existential concerns.

Ben Nicholson (he/him/his) is a board-certified music therapist and professional counselor licensed to practice in the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia. He has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, with more than 11 of those years consisting of work as a therapist. Originally from outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Ben has lived and worked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since 2010. In his leisure time, Ben enjoys hiking, the arts, and time spent with friends and family.

The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM):

The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a music-centered form of psychotherapy that involves imaging to Western classical music while in a relaxed state to help the client move through their inner experiences, followed by verbal and/or arts-based processing of the imagery experience. GIM is best suited for individuals who have a connection to music and who can sustain mental visualization. GIM is not appropriate for individuals experiencing psychosis or other more severe manifestations of mental illness.

https://ami-bonnymethod.org/about/faq

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy involves the client focusing their attention on a memory that is causing them to be stuck in their lives while engaging in some form of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or visual or auditory stimuli) with the aim of resolving the stuck memory and allowing the individual to decrease reactivity to related triggers. EMDR is considered an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) for the treatment of PTSD.

https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT):

In, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), the client completes exercises in a workbook that they share with the clinician that involves reviewing memories causing them to be stuck in their lives and the meaning they make of those memories with the aim of gradually changing the individual's relationship to the memory, allowing the individual to decrease reactivity to related triggers. CPT is considered an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) for the treatment of PTSD.

https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/cognitive-processing-therapy

My supervision group specializes in working with creative arts therapists who seek to earn their professional counseling license (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. The group emphasizes the use of creative processes and heuristic self-inquiry as key components of the supervision and meets in person for two hours twice a month in South Philadelphia, PA. Individual LPC supervision is also available.

Brief initial consultation (15 min.): free

Psychotherapy appointment (50 min.): $100

Psychotherapy appointment (80 min.): $150

GIM appointment (80-110 min.): $150

Individual Supervision (50 min.): $100

Group Supervision (50 min.): $50

For more information on my counseling or supervision services, please contact me at ben@bennicholsonlpc.com