Scott Bennion, MDiv, WHC, BCPC

He / Him / His
Hi, my name is Scott Bennion. I am a Master's-level Board Certified Pastoral Counselor with the Center for Spiritual Care and Pastoral Formation, and a Whole Health Coach. I work with individuals, couples, and groups from all faiths, cultures, and relationship styles (such as LGBTQ+) and those exploring various new relationship styles. 

I also work with those who are spiritual but not religious or claim no particular spiritual path. I specialize in helping those who wish to better understand themselves as it relates to relationships, sexuality, and spirituality, as well as those seeking to reconcile their faith and sexuality. My greatest motivation is helping people understand themselves, and find healthy love and connection.

My Approach

I see life’s transitions as opportunities for transformation. I desire to support you in creating the life you want, through a Whole Health approach to health and wellness (e.g. physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, relational, etc.)  I seek to create a safe place for you to speak from the heart about what matters to you, without treating you as broken or trying to fix you. I journey with you to identify your own innate resources. Through active and compassionate listening I support you in finding self-acceptance, and owning your voice and place in the world. I am committed to helping you remove your blocks to love and where appropriate the guilt, shame, and fear that bind you. I am pro-relationship, sex-positive, and spiritually-minded. 
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My own formation is not merely academic. It comes from a desire to come alongside others after having gone through my own dark night of the soul in matters related to my relationships, sexuality, and spirituality. All of this ultimately led to my own refiner’s fire where I found healing and transformation on the other side. In other words, “I am no stranger to the rain.” I know what it’s like to feel abandoned by friends, family, God, and the Church. This along with my theological training and non-judgmental approach gives me an outreach that is broad, including to those who have been wounded by the institutional church and/or spiritual communities. I serve those who find themselves on the borderlands of religion. I am a lover of people, living simply, and roads less traveled.

Qualifications, Work, and Experience

​​I completed four units of clinical pastoral education (psycho-spiritual dynamics and interpathic counseling), through the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, received my Master of Divinity (MDiv) through Phoenix Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from the University of Utah. I received training to be a Whole Health Coach (WHC) through the Veterans Health Administration Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation. I am a member of the Center for Spiritual Care and Pastoral Formation where I am board certified as both a Pastoral Counselor (BCPC) and Clinical Chaplain (BCC). I am ordained as an Endorsed Minister through the Federation of Christian Ministries. I am a member of Spiritual Director’s International. 

Specialties

  • Anxiety & Stress
  • Burnout & Fatigue
  • Codependency
  • Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Dating
  • Doubt & Deconstruction
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Financial Stress
  • Grief & Loss
  • Guilt & Shame
  • Life Transitions
  • LGBTQ+ Issues
  • Personal & Professional Development
  • ​Pornography Addiction
  • Relationship Issues
  • Religious & Spiritual Abuse
  • Self-Esteem
  • Sexual Health
  • Sexuality 
  • Sexual Orientation & Identity
  • Self Care
  • Spirituality
  • ​Spiritual Companionship  (Direction)
  • Trust Issues
  • Work-Life Balance
I currently serve as a chaplain at the Phoenix VA Medical Center and co-founded Interface 4 Wellness, an inter-spiritual wellness practice. My wife and partner, Lisa Rose and I speak in spiritual communities and churches. We offer workshops that are psycho-spiritual and educational in nature, providing the necessary structure, motivation, and accountability for personal and relational growth. Whatever the workshop topic there is an underlying focus on some aspect(s) or cultivation of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, compassionate communication, conscious relationships and sexuality, and viewing all of life as spiritual practice.
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Below I have listed some additional training and certifications that you may find valuable to determining if I’m the right fit for your needs.
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  • Chaplain and bereavement counselor for hospice and palliative care for over 9 years.
  • Facilitator of John Gottman’s, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.
  • Level 1 Instructor of iRest (Integrative Restoration) Yoga Nidra Meditation.
  • Facilitator of Building Spiritual Strength: A Program for U.S. Service Members and Veterans.

​My training also includes areas such as sacred sexuality, healing and empowerment, and various relationship psycho-education modalities. I have both pastoral and lay leadership experience from serving churches within the evangelical tradition and Anglican Communion.