Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Bennett.
Hi Bethany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I became a licensed therapist in 2011 and started seeing clients on the side while still working for a larger organization. Over time, I noticed a pattern: many of the people I worked with were high-functioning on the outside but quietly overwhelmed on the inside. Traditional talk therapy wasn’t reaching them in the way they needed. That’s when I discovered EMDR, a powerful approach that goes beyond words and helps clients truly process and heal from trauma.
A few years ago, the organization I worked for made changes that significantly impacted me and my family financially. It was a turning point; I realized I no longer wanted someone else determining my paycheck or my future. So I took a deep breath and made the leap to start my own practice. That leap became Be Well with Bethany.
Starting my own business wasn’t easy, but it gave me the freedom to build a space centered on real, lasting healing. I’m honored to walk alongside my clients as they face trauma, reclaim their stories, and discover the strength they’ve carried all along.
At Be Well with Bethany, I work from a holistic perspective focusing not just on symptoms but on the whole person. My goal is to help clients heal deeply and efficiently, so they can move forward with strength and clarity.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, no, not at all. Becoming a licensed professional counselor was incredibly challenging. It took years of education, supervised clinical hours, exams, and constant learning. And even after all that, I quickly realized just how underprepared I was, especially when it came to working with trauma. The lack of practical, hands-on training in my master’s program was genuinely surprising. That’s what led me to seek out specialized training in EMDR, to better support my clients and continue growing as a therapist.
Starting my own practice was a completely new learning curve. Running a business meant stepping into roles I’d never trained for from managing finances, navigating insurance, handling marketing, and keeping up with all the behind-the-scenes work that comes with being your own boss. It was a big shift from being solely a clinician to also becoming an entrepreneur. There were moments it felt overwhelming, but every challenge pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t expected. Building Be Well with Bethany has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. It’s given me the freedom to focus on what I love most which is helping clients heal from trauma while learning how to navigate the complexities of business ownership one step at a time.
As you know, we’re big fans of Be Well with Bethany. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Be Well with Bethany is a private therapy practice I founded to support individuals in the St. Louis community who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. What makes my practice unique is its holistic approach. I don’t just treat symptoms, I look at the whole person. Using evidence-based methods like EMDR, combined with personalized care, I help clients heal deeply and move forward with resilience and confidence.
I specialize in working with high-functioning individuals who often appear “fine” on the outside but feel overwhelmed on the inside. Many have tried traditional talk therapy and found it wasn’t enough. My practice offers a fresh, effective path to healing, one that avoids re-traumatization and equips clients with the tools they need to truly thrive.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built at Be Well with Bethany. It’s a warm, authentic space where clients feel truly seen, supported, and empowered to reclaim their lives.
To the readers of VoyageSTL, I want you to know this from the bottom of my heart: healing is possible, and you don’t have to go through it alone. At Be Well with Bethany, I meet you exactly where you are and walk alongside you every step of the way toward a brighter, more hopeful future often faster than you might imagine.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t necessarily see myself as a natural risk-taker, but I believe that calculated risks are often necessary for growth both personally and professionally. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving the security of a stable job to start my own practice, Be Well with Bethany. It wasn’t an easy decision. I was stepping into the unknown, taking on not just therapy work but everything that comes with running a business: managing finances, navigating marketing, and learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship.
That leap was scary but also incredibly empowering. It taught me that risk isn’t about making reckless decisions; it’s about choosing with intention, fueled by purpose and passion. Without that risk, I wouldn’t have the freedom to serve my clients in the way I believe they truly deserve.
There’s a quote that stuck with me during that season of uncertainty: “Sometimes when you feel buried, you’ve actually been planted and you’re ready to bloom.” That mindset helped me reframe fear as possibility and see challenge as growth.
So while I may not chase risk for the thrill of it, I’ve learned that when something aligns with your values, it’s worth the leap. That’s how meaningful things are built just one brave decision at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bewellwithbethany.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17AK6mtkDs/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bethany-bennett-emdr-therapist-saint-peters-mo/1287352
