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Benjamin HOWARD, LCPC, LPC, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS
He/Him | Director for Assessment Services | Clinical Mental Health Counselor | Certified ADHD & Autism Specialist | Certified Telehealth ProviderBenjamin HOWARD, LCPC, LPC, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS
Our co-founder and Director for Assessment Services, Benjamin Howard (formerly Lyons), provides clinical mental health counseling and diagnostic testing services. A practitioner since 2018, Benjamin’s career is rooted in over a decade of experience as an academic advisor, educator, and career coach. Since 2020, he has operated as a 100% telehealth provider, ensuring accessible care for clients across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri.
Benjamin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the states of Illinois (Lic. #180.015492) and Kansas (Lic. #04153), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri (Lic. #2024025137). Himself an AuDHD professional, Benjamin is also an Adult ADHD & Autism specialist and Telehealth-certified provider.
Clinical Specialties:
Clinical Specialties:
Adult Neurodivergence: Certified clinical specalist in ADHD and Autism.
Career & Education: Adult career counseling and navigation of post-secondary education.
Diagnostic Assessment: Clinical evaluation and diagnostic testing services for clients age 18+.
Telehealth Excellence: Specialist in delivering high-quality, remote clinical care.
Clinical Training & Background
Clinical Training & Background
Benjamin’s clinical foundation was built in community-focused, safety-net environments. He completed his clinical practicum at Community Counseling & Assessment Services at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and an internship with the Counseling & Advocacy Center of Kansas City Kansas Community College. During this time, he balanced individual therapy with advocacy, serving as a co-advisor for the Queer student organization and a consultant for faculty & staff on student crisis intervention. Specialized training highlights include:
ADHD & Autism: Trained by leaders in the field, including Dr. Roberto Olivardia (Harvard Medical School), Dr. Wenn Lawson (Australian Autism Research Council), and Prof. Jeremy Parr & Dr. Sarah Wigham (Sir James Spence Institute, Newcastle University)
Psychometrics & Psychopathology: Advanced training under Dr. Johanna Nilsson and Dr. Carolyn Pepper (UMKC), and Linda Werner, LCPC (Kansas Counseling Association).
Sex Therapy: Training and supervision with Dr. Tammy Nelson (Integrative Sex Therapy Institute) and AASECT Certified Sex Therapists Julia Schafermeyer, LCPC, (UMKC), & Rae McDaniel, LCPC, (Owner, Practical Audacity - Gender & Sex Therapy and author of Gender Magic).
Chris Williams, LCPC, LPC
He/Him | Director for Counseling Services | Clinical Mental Health Counselor | Specialist in Youth & Adolecent Mental Health Chris Williams, LCPC, LPC
Chris Williams provides clinical mental health counseling services specializing in youth, family systems, and LGBTQIA+ support. Chris’s clinical career is built upon a foundation of 15 years of experience as an elementary educator in the Kansas City area. His transition from the classroom to the therapy room was driven by a passion for fostering character development, self-acceptance, and emotional intelligence in young people. Chris’s approach to therapy is rooted in validation and understanding, moving clients away from the "shoulds" of life toward a deeper understanding of their authentic selves.
Chris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois (LCPC #180.017640) and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri (LPC #2020033363).
Clinical Specialties:
Clinical Specialties:
Child, Adolescent & Young Adult Therapy: Specialized support for youth (ages 9-17) and young adults, drawing on over 15 years experience as a classroom teacher to understand the unique perspectives and challenges of growing up.
Parenting & Caregiver Support: Helping parents navigate the "why" behind their child's behaviors and finding new, effective ways to connect within the family system.
Trauma & Emotional Regulation: Utilization of trauma-informed modalities to assist clients with distress tolerance and emotional processing.
LGBTQIA+ Advocacy: A supportive, affirming space for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth, focusing on identity, acceptance, and community-specific challenges.
Clinical Background & Approach
Clinical Background & Approach
Chris integrates his professional training with an authentic, human-centered presence. He believes in bringing his "self" into the room, often utilizing metaphors, pop culture references, and narrative elements—from Finding Nemo to Inside Out—to make therapeutic concepts resonant and accessible. His primary clinical modalities include:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): guiding clients to identify their core values and commit to goals that align with them.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaching specific skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Narrative Therapy: Empowering clients to author a life story of their own choice.
Trauma-Informed Care: Chris is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and other trauma-related therapy techniques.
The Purple Wellness Trust Inc.
The Purple Wellness Trust Inc.
Purple Wellness Counseling is guided by the Purple Wellness Trust Inc., a non-profit organization. The Trust operates as an advisory board for the practice and is intended to provide a voice for staff and stakeholders in the operational decisions and priorities for the practice. Documents for public review related to the Purple Wellness Trust Inc. are available here.
Robin & Birdie
Advisory Board Spotlight - Rev. Robin Kershner
They/ThemAdvisory Board Spotlight - Rev. Robin Kershner
Robin brings with them a wealth of experience and skills to the Purple Wellness Counseling advisory board. A graduate of Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas, they are trained as a cultural anthropologist. Robin is presently a living historian with an emphasis on European fiber arts of the 15th and 16th centuries.
In addition to their academic background, Rev. Robin has donated their time as a volunteer pagan chaplain at the United States Disciplinary Barracks & Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary.
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