Photograph by L’Marco Smith

Dr. Benson is a member of the counseling & wellness team at Deeper Than Color where she provides psychotherapy. Click the link below to learn more!

Dr. Jacqueline Benson, PsyD Founder & CEO | Licensed Psychologist #PSY32556

Dr. Jacqueline Benson grew up in Long Beach California and fell in love with the performing arts as a child. Though private music lessons were out of reach financially during her childhood, in college she studied the cello with Dr. David Garrett of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at California State University Long Beach where she earned degrees in music performance and human development. Early on in life Dr. Benson discovered a passion for working with young people and their families and it is her love of helping others and hearing their stories that inspired her to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

Dr. Benson graduated from the Wright Institute with her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2018 and while completing her clinical training she taught theater and dance and continued to perform as a musician and actress whenever possible. She has done extensive clinical work in high schools, youth shelters, hospitals and community health clinics and she has diverse experience providing individual and group psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults and families both at the outpatient and intensive outpatient levels. Dr. Benson is also a health educator and consultant and has developed and delivered mental health trainings and workshops for organizations such as Girls Inc, Sutter Health, & Kaiser Permanente.



  • Relationship

    Therapy is a relationship. I partner with my clients who are experts on their specific experiences and challenges. Listening and getting to know you is crucial. Together we can explore what’s bringing you into therapy and identify tools and strategies that make use of the strengths you already have to help you develop new skills and assist you in reaching your goals.

  • Development

    I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Considering human development and where my clients are versus where they want to be is a major part of my work. I use my understanding of human development to inform my therapeutic work and help my clients to progress by setting goals grounded in research and evidence based practices.

  • Behavior

    I am fortunate to have received training and supervision from brilliant and diverse clinicians and I’ve trained in psychodynamic, person-centered approaches as well as cognitive behavioral interventions such as CBT, DBT, ACT and trauma focused CBT (TF-CBT). From my extensive training and 10 years of clinical experience I’ve developed my own integrative style that focuses on helping my clients to identify strategies that resonate with them. Those strategies are often informed by evidence based practices as well as a collaborative consideration of my client’s cultural background, identity and lived experiences.

  • Creativity

    Our thoughts, feelings and where we are in our development all impact how we experience mental health challenges. When working with performers and creatives in therapy I also consider and integrate the added layer of how my client’s creative and professional experiences are influencing their behavior, emotional experiences and mental health challenges.

  • Specialties

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • ADHD

    • Adolescent & Young Adult Concerns

    • Parenting Therapy

    • Social Media

    • Bullying

    • Self-Harm Behaviors

    • Relational Challenges

    • LGBTQIA+

    • Performers & Creatives

While Center Stage Psychology was created with artists and performers in mind, everyone has mental health and our mental health services are for everyone. We offer individual, family and group psychotherapy to children, teens and adults. Center Stage also provides workshops, trainings and consultation services for healthcare companies, schools & community organizations.

Services