About Me
Debbie Bensching
LCSW ACSW MSWAC LICSW
ASCH Approved Consultant
I can help you be your best more often, and perform at your peak when it matters most.
As a psychotherapist and mental performance trainer, I leverage over 30 years of experience in professional counseling, psychotherapy, in-depth clinical psychological analysis, and skill building. I have trained in a variety of complementary modalities and methodologies that have proven very effective in assisting my clients in both my clinical and mental performance training practices.
I was first introduced to the idea of clinical practice as an undergraduate student at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. After completing my graduate studies in Portland, Oregon, I established a thriving private practice after working in an agency setting for several years. I am clinically licensed to provide services in the states of Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.
Having earned a number of licenses and certifications, I have specialized training in clinical issues related to relationships, addiction, emotional challenges (such as depression and self-esteem), trauma, and other psychological issues that impede quality of life and general functioning. My wide range of training allows for a variety of sub-specialties, including performance coaching, where I work with clients to bring their professional and athletic performance to a new level by developing their confidence and mental performance skills.
As a recreational and competitive athlete, I started to notice that many people talked about the mental game yet were unsure how to develop mental performance skills outside of reading a book, listening to a motivational CD, or getting some direction from non-psychological professionals. There was a disconnect between an athlete’s mental skills and their physical performance. I noticed this same struggle among business professionals and have sought to close this gap with mental performance training.
In my role as a Mental Performance Trainer, I assist business professionals, athletes of all ages and skill levels, and individuals who want to enhance their skill set in order to achieve peak performance and fulfill their true potential.
With performance coaching, I will assist you in how to use the full power of your mind, recognize mental errors, and correct them. It’s about strengthening existing mental game skills and learning new ones. It’s about letting the mental side of your game enhance the physical side of your performance.
Education & Training
Education
- Master of Social Work, Portland State University, Portland, OR 1988
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 1986
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, 1986
Licenses & Certifications
- 2022 License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW HI)
- 2022 The Flash Technique
- 2020 Social Work Independent Clinical License (LICSW WA)
- 2015 ASCH Approved Consultant in Clinical Hypnosis (ACCH)
- 2013 Certification in Clinical Hypnosis, (CCH)
- 2012 & 2015 Teaching and Consultation Intensive
- 2002 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- 1996 Certified Masters of Social Work Addictions Counselor (MSWAC)
- 1994 Supervision I, II, III
- 1993 Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW)
- 1991 License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW OR)
- 1989 Certified Behavior Management Trainer (BMT)
Professional Memberships
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Oregon Society of Clinical Hypnosis (OSCH)
- American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
- International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
- National Association of Forensic Counselors & Addiction Examiners (NAFC/NBAE)
Clinical Private Practice, Portland, OR
January 1992-Present
Therapist: provide counseling, education, and mediation/problem-solving for clinical issues related to trauma, abuse, addictions, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, life transition, domestic violence, divorce, and blended family issues. Work with individuals, couples, and families.
Performance Improvement/Mental Performance Trainer: work with athletes and business professionals on game and job performance coaching through the development of mental skills, performance mindset, relaxation, visualization, and addressing performance blocks in an individual or small group setting.
Community Outreach: public speaker on mental health and performance psychology topics. Present educational and training seminars on topics for the general public and professionals seeking continuing education, personal development, and instruction. Created a seminar series for the general public to provide basic education on common mental health topics. Participated as a contributing writer to the launching of “Take Care: A Guide to Safe Relationships, Volume 1,” for adults and “Volume 2” for adolescents.
Supervision: supervise therapists preparing for licensing (LCSW, LPC, and LMFT) and newly licensed therapists and school counselors in Portland Public Schools grant.
Consultant: agency organizational development, planning, and reorganization, consulting and training for individuals and agencies. Provide clinical case consultation with other mental health professionals and consultation hours for healthcare professionals seeking certification in clinical hypnosis.
Training and Education: Develop and present workshops, training, and presentations in areas of clinical expertise as requested. Faculty ASCH regional workshops and ISSTD pre-conference hypnosis trainings.
OSCH Course Director: responsible for clinical hypnosis course curriculum in line with ASCH Standards of Training guidelines. Invite faculty, coordinate teaching assignments, develop and manage the training budget, and facilitate overall course organizational tasks. Teach course sections, oversee faculty, provide feedback, and address any student concerns.
Previous Experience
INTERNET RADIO SHOW HOST, Voice America Health and Wellness Network, August 2006-January 2007. Hosted a live broadcast show called: “We’re All a Little Crazy.”
GROUP THERAPY FACILITATOR, Portland Public Schools Drug and Alcohol Prevention Office, Portland, OR, September 1993-1996.
FAMILY SOCIAL WORKER, Pacific Gateway Hospital, Portland, OR, April 1991-May 1993.
ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE SOCIAL WORKER, Albertina Kerr Centers for Children, Portland, OR, June 1989-May 1991.
CASE MANAGER/THERAPIST, Delaunay Mental Health Center, Portland, OR, June 1988-June 1989.
RECREATION AID/PROGRAM COUNSELOR, Veterans Administration Day Treatment Program, Portland, OR, January 1987-June 1988.
PRIMARY THERAPIST, Clackamas County Adolescent Day Treatment Center, Milwaukie, OR,
RESIDENCE HALL DIRECTOR, Gonzaga University Dean of Students Office, Spokane, WA
GONZAGA ACTION PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Nonprofit Board Service
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS, BOARD MEMBER, March 2021- February 2023
Component Society Division Chair responsible for bi-directional communication between the board and the 19 component societies
**OREGON SOCIETY OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS, BOARD MEMBER, 2015-2024
Vice President, President, Liaison to the ASCH national board 2017-2020
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS BOARD OF GOVERNORS, COMPONENT SOCIETY REPRESENITIVE, 2017-2019
**LPGA AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATION Portland Chapter, BOARD MEMBER, 2011-2013
Chair of Membership committee 2011- November 2012, Board Vice President, 2012-2013
**AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH ALLIANCE OREGON, Board Member, 2000-2003
**NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS OREGON CHAPTER, BOARD MEMBER, 1997-2000
Executive Committee, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
RAPHAEL HOUSE OF PORTLAND, BOARD MEMBER, 1996-1998,
Chair Programs and Services committee and member of Strategic planning and Executive committee. Hired as a consultant post board experience.
**The board position was elected by the membership
Other Volunteer Service
MULTNOMAH ATHLETIC CLUB House Committee, April 2023-current
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY, Zags Connect Alumni Mentor, 2000-current
MULTNOMAH ATHLETIC CLUB, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, April 2020-March 2023
Committee Chair April 2022- March 2023, (committee was ad hoc until April 2021)
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS, Component Societies Committee Chair, April 2018-2021
MULTNOMAH ATHLETIC CLUB Diversity ADMISSIONS MARCH 2017-2020
Appointed to subcommittee to enhance diversity admissions process, mission statement, and forms
LPGA AMATURE GOLF ASSOCIATION -PORTLAND CHAPTER, Event Captain
Weekend Events Committee, January 2009- 2010 and 2014-18, League Coordinator November 2013 – 2019.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF TRAUMA AND DISSOCIATION, Ritual Abuse and Mind Control Special Interest Group, Leadership Team Member, 2009-2011
Vice Chair 2009-2010, Chair 2010-2011
AMERICAN RED CROSS, Disaster Services Responder, September 2005-2006