Dr. Benfer earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship on the trauma track at the VA Maryland Healthcare System and went on to complete a postdoctoral training at the VA Boston Healthcare System, where she trained under Dr. Brett Litz, a leading expert in PTSD and moral injury. Her academic background also includes a strong research foundation, with over 25 peer-reviewed publications.

In her clinical work, Dr. Benfer uses a blend of evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP), often integrated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is also trained in Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), a newer, targeted treatment approach for OCD.

Clients who work with Dr. Benfer can expect a direct, structured, and collaborative approach. She brings warmth, authenticity, and the occasional dose of humor to therapy, helping clients make meaningful progress while feeling supported and understood. Her work focuses on helping people shift away from patterns of self-criticism and control and toward more flexible, values-driven ways of living.

Dr. Benfer is licensed to practice in Virginia and New York and holds PSYPACT certification, which authorizes her to provide telehealth services in over 40 states.

Whether navigating the impact of trauma, grappling with intrusive thoughts, or feeling trapped in perfectionistic cycles, clients find in Dr. Benfer a knowledgeable and compassionate partner in their growth. She is committed to helping individuals build lives that feel more grounded, free, and purposeful.

When she isn't working with clients, Dr. Benfer is busy raising and wrangling her young children. Outside of that, she enjoys being outside, baking, and reigniting an old passion for ballet.