Meet our Clinicians
Matt Benin, MA, LPC
Balance is central to my work. I use a body-mind-environment approach to help clients seek balance and well-being in their lives. In turn, they bring more balance to their relationships and the environments in which they find themselves. With over 20 years of experience, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and systems theory are the foundation of my clinical work, though there are numerous paths to improved health and well-being, and I have used and explored many approaches to help people get to where they want to be. CBT is used to assess how your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions interact with and influence one another. Mindfulness brings more attention and intention to this process, promoting an awareness of how your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions impact you and others. We’ll also look at the systems around you, how they impact you, and how to manage yourself within them in the healthiest way possible.
Andrea Armstong, MAT, MA, ACTRP, LPC
Andrea has over fourteen years of experience in mental health, working with children, adolescents, and adults. She started her clinical work as an intensive in-home provider for at-risk youth and is now a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in assisting children and families.
Andrea employs an integrative approach to therapy that is tailored to meet individual needs. Her treatment is person-centered, focusing on building on each individual's strengths. She is Level II trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based treatment recognized by EMDRIA.
She has experienced addressing a variety of issues, such as anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, adjustment disorders, acute and post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, teenage substance use, somatic symptoms, conversion disorder, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, bulimia nervosa, elimination disorders, intermittent explosive disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder.
Additionally, Andrea supports clients dealing with challenges like parent-child relationship problems, childhood trauma, attachment issues, family reunification, and difficulties related to their social environment. She respects the unique worldviews and experiences of others and considers it a privilege to accompany individuals on their healing journey, empowering them to overcome obstacles and thrive.
Jumar Peterson
I am a Counseling Resident at Valley Counseling Center who works with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. My experience includes both school-based counseling and working with individuals impacted by substance misuse and abuse. I support clients facing concerns such as anxiety, emotional regulation, behavior challenges, family conflict, life transitions, and substance-related issues.
My counseling style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in a person-centered approach. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and understood. I utilize evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play-based interventions, and trauma-informed care, while also incorporating principles of attachment theory to help clients better understand their relationships, emotional patterns, and overall sense of self.
I am committed to supporting individuals across the lifespan in building resilience, strengthening relationships, and navigating life’s challenges with confidence. My goal is to equip clients with practical tools that foster emotional growth, self-awareness, and lasting well-being.
While Valley Counseling Center is not a faith-based organization, I am able to integrate a Christian faith-based perspective into counseling for clients who desire it as part of their therapeutic journey.
Nicole Ailles
I believe that meaningful healing involves the whole person: the mind, body, emotions, relationships, and our lived experiences. My goal is to create a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel safe being yourself, explore what you are experiencing, and work toward meaningful change at your own pace. I have experience working with individuals across the lifespan, from early childhood through older adulthood, and with people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. My experience includes working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as neurotypical individuals.
My approach to counseling is grounded in empathy, connection, cultural considerations, and the belief that each person has unique strengths and resources that can support their growth. I take a holistic, mind-body approach to therapy and draw from person-centered and evidence-based counseling approaches. I am especially interested in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, stress, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem, relationships, and experiences that may leave them feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. I believe therapy does not have to look the same for everyone, and it is important to find approaches that feel authentic and meaningful.
As a counseling practicum student, I provide services under clinical supervision while continuing to develop my clinical skills and experience. I approach this work with curiosity and a commitment to seeing the whole person rather than simply focusing on a diagnosis or a single problem. Outside of counseling, I enjoy staying active through running and yoga, reading, and spending time with my husband and our dogs.