Bio
My name is Ben Rainey, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) working as a therapist in private practice in the Pittsburgh area. I have previous experience with outpatient community mental health, inpatient mental health, and community mental health research, and also spent several years as a hospice volunteer.
My approach to therapy is person-centered, based on meeting the client where they are and with what they would like to accomplish in therapy, as well as holistic, considering the impact of all aspects of a person's life on their mental health. I have particular interest in grief work, meaning-making, and existential psychotherapy, and have led clinical training in these topics.
I’m also passionate about exploring the overlap between mental health and relationship with nature, using both hiking and gardening as part of my practice with clients, and I have led workshops on these topics as well.
I am a PA Master Naturalist in training, having finished my coursework and currently working on my volunteer service hours and continued education.
My love of nature has also led me into nature photography. You can see my work here.
Before beginning my career as a therapist, my first career was in music performance and education. I worked for a number of years as an adjunct professor teaching private music lessons at Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham University, as well as gigging, doing freelance arranging and composing, and developing the curriculum for an online music education start-up company.
Services
In-Office and Virtual Individual Therapy
I am currently seeing adult clients for in-office and virtual individual therapy sessions.
If you’d like to see if we’re a good fit to begin to work together, feel free to reach out!
Hiking Therapy
Check out the Hiking Therapy page to learn more about this unique form of therapy.
Education
I conduct workshops and speaking engagements exploring
the overlap between mental health and engagement with nature,
aimed at both teaching participants about practical mental health care techniques
and inspiring deepened relationship with the natural world.
See past and upcoming events here.