Bente Hansen

Bente Hansen is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 20 years of experience. She focuses on practical help for stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, and low self-esteem. She speaks English and Danish and is based in California.

Bente uses conversational, respectful care to shape each session. She starts by listening to what matters most and then tailors the conversation and plan to fit those priorities. Sessions are held with warmth and attention to each person's pace.

Her work draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early bonds affect current relationships. She also uses client-centered methods to follow what the person brings to the room, and cognitive behavioral techniques to address anxious thoughts and behaviors. These approaches are used to help people manage life changes, grief, and chronic health or caregiving stress.

Bente has supported people dealing with family of origin issues, divorce and separation, communication problems, and substance concerns. She also assists those facing chronic pain, illness, and hospice or end-of-life counseling matters. The aim is to build tools for coping and clearer ways to communicate with others.

Her style is patient and empowering. She encourages practical steps toward change while honoring difficult feelings. To begin, a short match questionnaire helps guide next steps and scheduling.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and helps people recognize how early bonds affect current connections. This approach can help when grief, caregiving stress, or relationship issues feel overwhelming. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's own goals and experience, giving space to be heard and guiding conversations where the client wants them to go. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, works on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers concrete strategies for anxiety, stress, and behavior change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and then shape the plan together. That way the choice of methods grows out of what the client needs and how they like to work.

Because session formats are not listed in the biography, confirm current session options before booking. Many people find online work easier to fit into day-to-day life because it can reduce travel, allow for shorter check-ins during busy days, or make scheduling around caregiving and medical appointments simpler. Licensed professionals can adapt these therapies to an online setting, using conversation, practical exercises, and homework that fit into everyday routines.