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About Emily Benson

MSW, LICSW, RPT-S, SEP

she/her/hers
612-367-6029
Emily Benson headshot.

Licensure

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
  • Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S)

Education

  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities, BA Indigenous Studies, 1996
  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Master of Social Work, 2005

Emily is the founder and owner of Beginnings and Beyond Counseling/Play Therapy Minnesota and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and certified Co-Regulating Touch practitioner. 

Emily’s clinical work began with adults and adolescents 20 years ago working in the Indigenous communities in St. Paul, MN. She has provided clinical psychotherapy for addictions, sexual and physical abuse, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and other mental health disorders to individuals in both hospital and community settings.

Emily is vetted through the MN ADOPT HELP Program which serves adoptees and their caregivers throughout the state of Minnesota. Her work experience with children and adolescents includes children’s mental health case management, forensic child abuse intake, interviewing and family support, family advocacy in the American Indian community, and extensive work in the medical field as a clinical social worker.

Emily provides therapy to ages 18 months to adult/geriatric and specializes in Experiential Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Somatic Experiencing and Trauma Informed Touch.

Emily has trained under the guidance of world renowned Play Therapist Byron Norton. PhD and Somatic Touch Therapists Kathy Kain, PhD, SEP and Stephen Terrell PsyD, SEP. 


Clinical Supervision

Emily Benson, MSW, LICSW, RPT-S, SEP is an approved supervisor in Minnesota through the Board of Social Work for LICSW candidates. She is also approved by the National Play Therapy Association to provide supervision to candidates seeking the RPT and RPT-S credentials.

Supervision options are weekly, bi-weekly or monthly in person or via video/distance.

Please email me for supervision scheduling.