We were lucky to catch up with Kristina Benson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kristina, appreciate you joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
Getting to care for an elderly couple was one of the greatest joys of my elder care career thus far. Being present with them through various ups and downs was such a profound gift. We would enjoy nature walks, go to doctor’s appointments, cook meals together, and tend to their beautiful garden on sunny days. One of them had dementia which impacted their cognitive capacities, and the other individual’s physical health was declining. Seeing how they supported one another by harnessing their complementary strengths was very impactful. Caring for them as one of them passed away was simultaneously devastating and heart-opening. Building relationships with them and witnessing their deep love for one another inspired me to continue prioritizing sharing quality time and vulnerability with the people who are most important to me. I learned about the power of love, kindness, patience, humor, creativity, and community.
Kristina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a nature-based psychotherapist and a caregiver for elders.
I have a Masters in Mental Health Counseling with a focus in Transpersonal Nature-Based Therapy from Naropa University. I am currently working at the Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute in Boulder, where I completed my year-long clinical internship. In my therapy practice, I specialize in trauma, grief and loss, and ADHD. My style as a therapist is warm, curious, engaged, and collaborative. I believe that our minds and bodies are inherently intertwined and that we must foster a symbiotic relationship between them. I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, somatic approaches, attachment theory, non-violent communication, Ecopsychology, mindfulness. I view psychotherapy as a sacred opportunity for people to examine different parts of their humanity, and I believe wholeheartedly in strengthening the gifts that already exist inside each of us. I offer individual counseling as well as longer, personalized, therapeutic intensives.
In the elder care realm, I wear many hats. I work at Windhorse Elder Care as a Caregiver, Team Leader, Team Supervisor, and Therapist. I have a wealth of experiencing providing direct care as well as acting as a bridge between elderly clients, family members, and care teams. My strengths lie in communication and adaptability as I navigate various roles and unique, ever-evolving situations.
After working alongside one another in the elder care branch for several years while studying to become nature-based therapists, my colleague Callie Maron and I collaborated to revitalize the counseling branch of Windhorse. Family and Elder Counseling services, offered by Windhorse Elder Care, provides compassionate support for elders and their family members through mindfulness-based individual and group therapy. We specialize in working with elders, their caregivers, and family members in their homes or assisted living facilities, in nature, and online. We support people in navigating the complexities of transitioning into assisted living, coping with terminal diagnoses, finding balance in caregiving, processing grief and loss, and embracing the aging or dying process with grace and dignity.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in western Nepal focusing on women’s empowerment, sustainable farming, and nutrition initiatives. Living with my incredible host family and learning to speak Nepali language changed the way I view people and the world. It opened my eyes to the immense possibilities that exist within the intersection of cultural exchange and human connection. I learned so much from my host family and neighbors about what it means to be genuinely curious, to build enduring relationships, and to live in accordance with the seasons. Growing food alongside my neighbors and being warmly welcomed into this close-knit community propelled me to pursue my career in nature-based therapy. I always knew that I was passionate about helping people and being in right relationship with the Earth, and my time in Nepal was the catalyst that brought this vision to life. I am constantly weaving elements of these teachings into my work as a therapist and caregiver.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I am strongly opposed to the messaging that many of us receive from American society about the stigma surrounding people impacted by the criminal justice system and unhoused individuals. Culturally, there is a harmful notion that we should separate ourselves from these people and look away from the harsh realities of mass incarceration and homelessness. This is a systemic issue that we need to give direct attention to as we consciously engage in unlearning these messages. I believe starting at the relational level is key. Through volunteering at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless and Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, I have learned so much about human resilience, resourcefulness, honesty, and gratitude. Offering meals, shelter, mental health support, and social services to under-resourced people is essential. Learning the names of neighbors and becoming familiar with people’s life stories creates more familiarity and connection in daily life. Acknowledging the humanity of all people begins with making eye contact, being a welcoming presence, and helping people get their basic needs met.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kristina-benson-boulder-co/1125450?preview=1&return_to=https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/profile
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-benson-ma-lpcc-69b7291b4/
- Other: Family & Elder Counseling Services, offered by Windhorse Elder Care: https://windhorsecare.com/counseling/counselors Therapist Bio @ Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute: https://www.wildernesstherapyinstitute.com/about-somatic-wilderness-therapy-institute/kristina-benson/ Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kristina-benson-boulder-co/1125450?preview=1&return_to=https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/profile