About Emily Benson

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.