Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Ward.
Hi Benjamin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started Hope Spring Counseling out of a deep calling to meet a growing need — especially among those in rural areas and communities with limited access to behavioral health care.
Over the past 16+ years, I’ve worked across a wide range of settings, witnessing firsthand how trauma, chronic illness, disability, and mental health challenges can profoundly affect a person’s well-being. What struck me most was how many people were falling through the cracks, often left without the support they needed.
A turning point came during my time working at a local hospital, where I was part of the rollout of universal suicide screening. I met individuals in crisis daily — overwhelmed, scared, and unsure where to turn. I realized that while I could offer support in those moments, I wanted to do more. That led me to clinical practice, where I could walk alongside people through their full healing journey.
At Hope Spring Counseling, I specialize in working with adults and seniors facing complex trauma (C-PTSD), chronic illness or disability, severe anxiety and depression, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), and gender identity affirmation. These are often misunderstood experiences, and my goal is to provide a safe, accessible space — via telehealth — where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.
My approach is holistic and collaborative. We typically begin by exploring how stress and trauma affect both the body and mind, learn new effective tools to help in regulating the nervous system, and then foster deeper healing through individualized cognitive interventions.
The name and logo of Hope Spring Counseling reflect this philosophy. With the cairn of balanced stones symbolizing the healing journey — taken one step at a time, with intention, and care. These stone are also embellished with golden Kintsugi cracks to remind us that our scars are not flaws, but part of our strength and unique beauty.
Hope Spring Counseling is about fostering healing and catalyzing growth — helping you reconnect with resilience, reclaim your story, and move forward with hope.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many meaningful journeys, it hasn’t always been easy. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the credentialing process with insurance providers — especially Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans. My goal has always been to reduce barriers to care by accepting as many insurance options as possible, but each plan has its own timeline and requirements, which can slow things down.
Despite these hurdles, I remain committed to making mental health care accessible. I’ve worked hard to keep private pay rates reasonable and transparent, so cost doesn’t become a barrier to healing. Every step has been driven by the belief that everyone deserves compassionate, quality care — regardless of where they live or what insurance they carry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I provide therapy services exclusively through telehealth to clients located in Missouri, Texas, Oregon, and Maine.
For administrative support, I partner with Headway, which offers streamlined scheduling, billing, and free insurance eligibility checks to help clients easily confirm coverage before starting therapy.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Contact me at [email protected] or visit my webpage at https://care.headway.co/providers/benjamin-ward
Pricing:
- Insurance pricing varies based on individual plans
- Private pay sessions are $125 per hour
- Free insurance checks through Headway.
- Free 15 min phone consultations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://care.headway.co/providers/benjamin-ward
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/benjamin-ward-kansas-city-mo/1611377
