About Kelly Benjamin, MA, LPC, NCC, CCMHC

Welcome. I’m truly glad you’re here.

I’m a Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over a decade of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Through Palmetto Mental Health Counseling, I provide secure, confidential telehealth therapy for college students and working professionals who want thoughtful, personalized support without adding more stress to their already full lives.

Seeking therapy can feel vulnerable. Many of the clients I work with are high-functioning, capable individuals who are used to handling things on their own. They are leaders, students, caregivers, and professionals who appear “fine” on the outside — yet internally feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or exhausted.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

My Philosophy: Therapy as Collaboration

At the heart of my work is a person-centered approach. I believe meaningful change begins in a space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, and understood.

You are not a diagnosis.You are not your anxiety.You are not your trauma.

You are a whole person with strengths, patterns, experiences, and insight that deserve attention and care.

As an integrative eclectic therapist, I draw from multiple evidence-based approaches depending on your goals and needs. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all model, we tailor therapy together. This may include:

Cognitive-behavioral strategies for managing anxious thoughts
Emotional regulation tools for overwhelm
Trauma-informed processing
Mindfulness-based grounding practices
Insight-oriented exploration of patterns and relationships
Strength-based interventions that build resilience

Our work is both reflective and practical — balancing deeper understanding with tools you can use immediately in your daily life.

Who I Work With

🎓 College Students

College can be exciting — but it can also feel destabilizing. Many students I work with are navigating:

Academic pressure and perfectionism
Social anxiety and relationship stress
Identity exploration and self-doubt
Transitioning into adulthood
Homesickness or isolation
Anxiety, depression, or burnout

You may be questioning who you are, what you want, or whether you’re “doing enough.” Therapy provides a steady space to slow down, reflect, and build confidence in yourself — not just your performance.

💼 Professionals and High Achievers

Professionals often carry invisible stress. You may be managing:

Workplace anxiety
Burnout and emotional exhaustion
Imposter syndrome
Leadership pressure
Work-life imbalance
Career transitions

You might be outwardly successful yet internally drained.

In therapy, we examine the patterns that contribute to stress while building sustainable strategies that allow you to succeed without sacrificing your mental health.

Why I Offer Telehealth Therapy

As a telehealth therapist, I intentionally designed this practice to meet the needs of busy students and professionals.

Online therapy provides:

Flexibility around academic and work schedules
Reduced commute time and stress
Greater consistency during life transitions
Privacy and comfort in your own space

Research continues to show that telehealth therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment concerns is just as effective as in-person counseling. Many clients find they open up more easily in a familiar environment.

Mental health care should support your life — not complicate it.

What You Can Expect Working With Me

Clients often describe our sessions as:

Warm and grounded
Insightful and thoughtful
Practical and actionable
Collaborative and empowering

We will move at a pace that feels safe while still encouraging growth. Therapy is not about forcing change — it’s about building readiness, awareness, and resilience.

If you’re looking for a therapist who combines compassion with clinical experience, depth with practicality, and insight with real-life tools, you may be in the right place.