Beniam (Ben) Aster Megabi Awoke Betsiha, MA, MRC, NCC, LPC, LCDC, CRC, bridges his Ethiopian heritage with his American context to drive transformative change in clinical mental health and rehabilitation counseling. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas, as well as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Ben leverages his expertise to advance equity-driven systemic reform. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas, a master's degree in counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization from Saybrook University, and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas at El Paso. Currently, as a Ph.D. candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Saybrook University, his research focuses on enhancing counselor trainees’ self-efficacy in working with clients at risk of suicide.
Ben is driven by a vision to create transformative mental health care experiences that empower individuals to heal and grow. He is committed to fostering environments where every person feels seen, valued, and supported. His mission includes dismantling systemic barriers and confronting the hegemony that perpetuates inequities in mental health care—barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Ben envisions a future where mental health services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally attuned to honor the unique voices and experiences of all individuals.
In his professional roles, Ben has worked extensively with youth and underserved communities. At the Denton County Juvenile Detention Center, he provided counseling to adolescents, helping them build resilience and reduce recidivism by addressing systemic challenges. At CitySquare-TRAC in Dallas, he coordinated crisis interventions and interdisciplinary services for chronically homeless individuals and teens aging out of foster care, emphasizing the importance of holistic, community-based support. As the Co-Founder of Safe Space Connect, PLLC, Ben provides affordable, trauma-informed mental health care tailored to immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC communities. His work addresses diverse challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use disorders, while integrating cultural nuances to create safe, empowering spaces for healing and growth.
Drawing from his lived experience as a refugee, Ben is deeply committed to changing the narrative for those who have been overlooked. He actively confronts structures of power and privilege in mental health systems, ensuring that all individuals—regardless of their background—feel supported and valued. His advocacy champions diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental components of mental health care and education.
Beyond his clinical practice, Ben mentors emerging mental health professionals, combining his expertise with a bold vision for systemic reform. He is an advocate for equity, cultural competence, and early intervention in mental health and education, driving initiatives grounded in trauma-informed care and social justice. A leader in clinical mental health and rehabilitation counseling, Ben’s efforts emphasize resilience, reducing recidivism among vulnerable youth, and facilitating lasting healing. His dedication to using mental health care as a tool for empowerment and social justice continues to drive meaningful progress and strengthen communities.