About Benjamin
Benjamin Swerdlow is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York with three years of direct practice experience. He helps people manage anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, and major life changes. He also supports people dealing with aging concerns, chronic pain or illness, and men's issues.
He has spent much of his time working with older adults and with people of varying ages who live with chronic pain. That work has included group therapy, diagnostic assessment, and case management for conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury, and bipolar disorder.
Background and approach
His background gives him experience coordinating care and pointing people to useful resources. In sessions he focuses on listening first and teaching skills next. He uses motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons to change.
He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to break unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. For chronic pain he uses an educational tool called Pain Trainer alongside other strategies. He prioritizes practical, teachable approaches so people can use what they learn between sessions.
He also helps connect people to community and clinical resources when that will help. Benjamin aims to build a respectful relationship where clients feel heard and supported while they learn skills. He appreciates the courage it takes to start therapy and works collaboratively to set goals and track progress over time.
Evidence-based approaches and flexible online care
Benjamin uses practical, evidence-based techniques to address anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and mood concerns. He applies motivational interviewing to help clients clarify their goals and find personal motivation for change, a conversational approach that helps people move forward at their own pace. He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors, which can reduce anxious patterns and improve mood.For chronic pain he incorporates an educational tool called Pain Trainer alongside these approaches to teach pain management skills and coping strategies. Choosing the right mix of techniques is a collaborative process. The therapist and client work together to try approaches, review what helps, and adjust the plan based on the client's needs, goals, and preferences.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and styles. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction when visual cues help. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or a client prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging make brief check-ins and quick skill refreshers possible between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel demands while keeping treatment consistent and goal oriented.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
Also listed
- Experience
- 3 years
- Licensed
- New York
- Languages
- English
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