Ellen Benezra, LMHC
Couples and Sex Therapist
I’m the co-founder of The Wellness Collective, where our work is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for every person’s unique experience of intimacy and connection.
I’m a Washington native, a therapist, and someone who’s spent years helping couples, individuals, and people of all identities navigate the real — and often messy — layers of love, sex, partnership, and personal growth. I identify as a cisgender woman and am proudly sex-positive, queer-affirming, and committed to creating an inclusive practice where every client feels seen, safe, and respected.
I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of clients — including LGBTQIA+ individuals, monogamous and non-monogamous couples, and people exploring gender, relational identities, or cultural identity. I also serve as an ally to those who hold marginalized identities, and I honor the intersection of relational, sexual, and spiritual beliefs in the therapeutic space. No matter how you show up, I aim to meet you without judgment and with full-hearted presence. My credentials are here if you need them. But I know what often matters most is something simpler: Can I help you feel safe, understood, and supported as you work through the hard stuff? That’s the question that guides every session, and the one I strive to answer with a steady yes.
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor | Washington State Department of Health
Bachelor’s of Communication | Washington State University
Master’s of Counseling Psychology | Bastyr University
Gottman Level 1 Certified | The Gottman Institute
Over 600 hours of advanced sexual health training
Member of The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
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You don’t need to be “broken” to want more — more connection, more ease, more intimacy, more pleasure. But when something feels off in your relationship or your sex life, it’s easy to question yourself: Is this normal? Am I too much? Not enough? Why does this feel so hard?
My role isn’t to judge or diagnose you — it’s to create a safe, collaborative space where you can explore what’s been getting in the way of feeling close, understood, desired, and secure — either with a partner or within yourself.
I’m a sex-positive, pleasure-focused therapist. That means I see sexuality as a natural and important part of being human — not something to fix, control, or feel ashamed of. Whether we’re unpacking patterns of conflict, repairing after a betrayal, exploring low desire, or navigating shame and vulnerability around sex, I approach each session with warmth, curiosity, and deep respect for your lived experience.
Therapy with me is active, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices like Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness. I integrate neuroscience, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care to help you understand why you feel the way you do — and how to shift toward healthier, more fulfilling patterns.
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Recurring conflict and communication breakdowns
Mismatched sexual desire or low libido
Emotional disconnection in long-term relationships
Rebuilding intimacy after betrayal
Navigating sex and identity with more ease and self-trust
Understanding why “just talk about it” feels so impossible
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“I want sex to feel good again — not stressful or pressured.”
“No matter what I say, it feels like I’m doing it wrong.”
“I miss the connection we used to have.”
“I want to feel more confident in what I want.”
“I don’t want to keep looping in the same arguments.”
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$180 - Individual Therapy Session (60 minutes)
$195 - Couples Therapy Session (60 minutes)
*I have several sliding scale spots available and will offer them upon request and availability.
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