Bente Hansen

Calm, practical therapy for life transitions

LMFT California

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English, Danish

About Bente

Bente Hansen is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California who integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with other relational and psychodynamic perspectives to support clients through life transitions.

Background and approach

With 20 years of professional experience, she focuses on practical skills for managing stress and anxiety while also addressing relationship difficulties, grief, self-esteem, and adapting to significant life changes. Her approach balances structured interventions and collaborative exploration to meet each client's needs.

Hansen brings sensitivity and respect to clinical work, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to the specific concerns presented. She also attends to attachment patterns, caregiver stress, chronic illness or pain, communication challenges, and issues related to family of origin, divorce, and substance concerns.

Services are offered in English and Danish, and she practices under the California LMFT credential CA LMFT 34936. Her style emphasizes empowerment and gradual progress as clients take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Attachment-based therapy focuses on the ways early and current relationship patterns shape how people connect and regulate emotions; it can be helpful for those experiencing recurring relational conflicts, loneliness, or caregiver stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them through behavioral experiments and practical skill-building, which is often useful for managing anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. Client-centered therapy offers a supportive, empathic environment where the therapist follows the client's lead to build insight and self-directed change.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist collaborates with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps ensure the work feels relevant and doable for the individual.

Online sessions are available by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access regular support without travel, maintain momentum between meetings, and fit therapy into a busy life while working with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

She works with stress and anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, self-esteem issues, and coping with life changes, along with related areas such as attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and workplace problems.

What therapeutic style can I expect during sessions?

The approach blends cognitive behavioral techniques with attachment-based and client-centered methods, combining practical skill-building with relational exploration and supportive dialogue.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

She brings 20 years of professional experience to her work with clients, using a range of evidence-informed approaches accumulated over her career.

What credential and location information is on file?

She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with the credential CA LMFT 34936 and practices under that licensure.

Are services available in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and Danish, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are offered for therapy?

Clients may meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and preferences.

How is cost handled for therapy sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief Self esteem Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessPregnancy and childbirthSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Psychodynamic Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English, Danish