Welcome to my practice! I’m Dr. Ari Bendit, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Florida and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist. I’m here to guide you in relating to yourself with compassion, identifying unhelpful patterns, and dismantling limiting beliefs that may be holding you back from living your fullest, most authentic life.
My mission is to create a safe, collaborative space where you can express yourself freely, process difficult emotions, and reclaim your sense of self. I provide practical tools and evidence-based strategies that extend beyond our sessions, helping you build resilience and self-compassion through life’s transitions.
I specialize in supporting individuals and families navigating fertility challenges, assisted reproductive technology (ART), pregnancy, postpartum, and other perinatal transitions. I also work with clients managing anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), perfectionism, self-criticism, and the unique pressures faced by gifted or high-achieving individuals.
Whether you are preparing for parenthood, coping with infertility, or managing everyday stressors, my goal is to help you feel understood and supported.
Beyond Therapy
Outside of my therapeutic endeavors, I find immense joy in the company of my family and loyal canine companions. I have personally navigated my own infertility journey, which deepens my empathy and understanding for clients facing similar challenges. I enjoy the beach, traveling, experimenting with new culinary recipes, or diving into the pages of a captivating book. As an alum of the University of Florida, I am loyal Gator Football fan.
My Professional Background
I am a certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist and have personally navigated infertility, which informs my empathetic approach to supporting individuals and families through fertility challenges, assisted reproductive technology (ART), pregnancy, postpartum, and related life transitions. I also work with clients managing anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and self-criticism, as well as high-achieving individuals seeking to cultivate resilience and self-compassion.
I bring over a decade of counseling experience across diverse settings, including intensive Anxiety and OCD clinics, community centers, and K-12 schools. Before establishing my private practice, I provided therapy to high school and college students at FAU and completed a year-long postdoctoral fellowship with FAU’s Counselor Education Program. I am also an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Program at Capella University.
I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. in Counseling from Florida Atlantic University, where my research focused on the social-emotional development and mental health of gifted and high-achieving students.
Therapeutic Approach
My therapeutic philosophy thrives on the relational. It is a warm, empathetic, and inviting approach, aimed at fostering an inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities feel welcome and respected. Your wellbeing is not just a professional commitment for me, but a genuine personal concern. I deeply value the courage it takes to seek therapy, and I’m committed to providing you with the support and understanding you deserve.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Relational Cultural Therapy
- Compassion Focused
- Exposure Response Prevention
- Strength-Based
- Interpersonal