Ben Wagner

I work with adults and teens who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or ongoing life stress—especially when the ways they cope are no longer working. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and doing their best, yet feel burned out, stuck, or disconnected from their sense of purpose. Often, stress shows up not just as worry or low mood, but as patterns like avoidance, overworking, emotional shutdown, substance use, or other habits meant to reduce discomfort. These coping strategies usually developed for a reason—they helped at one point. The challenge is when they begin to create more stress, strain relationships, or interfere with daily functioning. Therapy with me focuses on understanding these patterns with curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we look at what your coping strategies are doing for you, what they may be costing you, and how to build healthier, more sustainable ways to manage stress and emotion. The goal isn’t perfection or willpower—it’s awareness, flexibility, and meaningful change. My approach is collaborative, practical, and grounded in respect for your experience. I aim to create a space where you can slow down, make sense of what’s happening, and develop tools that support greater balance, clarity, and well-being in your life.