You’re here. You landed on this page for a reason and we want to know why.

What happened before you sat down at your computer or started a search on your phone?

Curiosity, perhaps? Or maybe it’s more complicated than that.

New business, life change, struggles in relationships, loss, uncertainty, stress…
maybe someone suggested that you talk to someone.

There is one thing we know about you already (and we haven’t even met)-
you are wanting change, movement and for something to be different in your life.

We want you to find your path and we will walk it with you.

The path starts here:

curiosity is leading the way & the direction is up to you.

Counseling

Both individual and couples sessions are available.

Need a Speaker?

Click here to see a list of our favorite presentation topics

Consulting

Both personal and business consultations are available.

What were talking about…

OUR STORY- HOW BTG STARTED

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Merritt Benz, LCSW, CDWF

Owner/Director

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Caylen Sunderman, LCMFT

Partner/Director

“What if…” is always a dangerous question to ask. What if you were in business with your best friend? What if seeing a therapist was not an isolated appointment but offered an opportunity to be part of a community? What if you didn’t just rent space as a therapist but shared space as a collaborative community? What happens if were partners but we disagree? What if it grows faster than we planned?

Well, the answer we have learned in the few years we have been doing this thing together is…..you roll with it and you work it out. You keep asking questions, keep having the hard conversations, make adjustments and it gets better and better.

We believe the that the same process of courage, conflict and vulnerability that has brought us together (and kept us together) is the same one that will help others. It’s a beautiful mess and when the thought,

“What if we had NOT done this thing together?”….comes to mind, the answer is simple,

it’s never easy but we are so glad we did.

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Counseling

We know no one gets excited about calling a therapist and saying, “I need help.” Reaching out for help feels unsettling and weak. It feels like giving up. We’re here to tell you it’s the opposite of that.

If you’re considering therapy, we think you are brave. Asking for help means believing you are more than just your struggles. Because you so are. You’re also your ability to see your struggles, acknowledge them and deal with them. And if a good way for you to do that is to talk to someone with experience, then we are here for you.

We are a group of therapists working together to make counseling “normal,” effective, and one of the best decisions someone can make. Whether you are in a crisis, life transition or need more support in your life, we get it.

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Groups & Workshops

Most Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits/differences between joining a group and individual therapy?

  1. Groups can build connection and community and the experience of being in the group adds depth and context to individual sessions.
  1. Often there is a gap when individual sessions are not needed (progress has been made) but still a need for additional support and a place to process the changes that have been made. Group is a great way to get support, guidance and content and transition out of individual counseling.
  1. Groups can be likened to “an emotional tune up” or “touching base” when new challenges have come into your life to solidify the gains you have made in the past.
  1. It can be more affordable than individual counseling on weekly basis and provides a new and different experience.

Can I be in both individual therapy and group at the same time?

Yes. Everyone’s experience is different and before you join the group, it is recommended that you discuss your decision with your therapist and see if the group is the right fit for you.

If I am doing the work on my own (and feeling okay about it) how would being in a group benefit me?

The group experience can add depth to one’s own experiences and also the opportunity to give support and encouragement to others who are walking a similar path, as well as receive it yourself.

Testimonials

“If you told me that a group about courage, failure, vulnerability and shame would be fun, I would have thought you were crazy but it really was fun. The facilitators made the conversation easy and safe. You didn’t have to talk if you didn’t want to, but that was the most surprising part…I wanted to share.” “I love Brené Brown and what she says and doing the group changed me. Before the group I understood the connection between connection, vulnerability and shame and through the group I found connection I had been longing to experience.” “I was scared to do this but am so happy I did. I stretched my limits and I realized that I’m not the only one who’s thinking about all this stuff and trying to live differently."

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Current Groups & Workshops
Public Speaking Topics & Consulting

Consulting and Public Speaking

We like to listen.

You know what you’re doing. You’re good at it but there’s still that one area where you can’t seem to make the progress you want. You’ve been to seminars and you’ve read books.

You’ve sought out experts who make their living talking about how to do that one little thing. And yet, you’re perplexed.

But maybe what you need is to take a step back and ask why. “Why am I stuck? What caused this?” We offer personal coaching and consultation that does more than give you another to do list but instead works from the inside out producing long lasting change and movement.

We like to talk.

Whether it’s a big stage with hundreds of people in the audience or a small group, we thrive on presenting topics that stimulate  the conversations that matter to you. Our goal is not to bring yet another power point presentation that recycles information but to create an opportunity for dialogue and conversation with your organization or business.

We don’t talk “at” you but “with” you….and we love doing it.

What We’ve Done
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Meet The BTG Team

Merritt Benz

Owner/Director

Merritt Benz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of the Bedford Therapy Group. She is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator. The Daring Way™ is a highly experiential methodology based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown and focuses on shame resilience skills and developing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead.

Caylen Sunderman

Owner/Director

Caylen is a Marriage and Family Therapist. Caylen’s special areas of focus are cancer, fertility struggles, grief and loss, post-traumatic stress, childhood trauma, adult trauma, anxiety, depression, common relationship struggles (conflict, communication), infidelity, pre-marital counseling, and career counseling.

Teressa Thurwanger

Therapist

Teressa has lived in the Kansas City area for 20 years, and considers it home. She is a S-MFT in Missouri and graduated from Friends University. She enjoys working with couples, parents and teens, and individuals.

Heidi Coulter

Therapist

Heidi was raised in the Kansas City area and loves calling it her home. Heidi Coulter is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and a therapist at the Bedford Therapy Group. Heidi has been working with children and families for over 10 years and is very passionate about her work.

Kathie Hoffmann

Therapist

Kathie is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Kansas and a S-MFT in the state of Missouri. Kathie has over 10 years of experience working with grief and loss in the mental health field, and now specializes in couples and individual therapy.

Ashley Barrett

Therapist

Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ashley Barrett became a KC transplant in 2012. After marrying her husband, she began the Masters of Science in Family Therapy at Friends University and is currently a S-MFT in the state of Missouri. While at Friends University, Ashley completed her clinical internship at Heartland Community Church where she worked with couples, individuals and families facing numerous difficulties.

Michael Shahan

Therapist

Michael was born in Tulsa, OK and found his way to Kansas originally for his undergrad program in Family Studies. After his undergraduate and his job as a case manager, this eventually lead him to the Masters of Family Therapy program at Friends University in Kansas City. Through his internship at Friends, he worked with couples, individuals, families, and kids. During that time, he began to discover a love of working with couples and families in all stages of life.

Kandace Callwell, LPC, RPT

Therapist

Kandace is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist who has more than 15 years experience working with individuals, groups, and families in both the mental health field and school setting

Michael VanderWaal

Therapist

Michael helps adults at all stages of life achieve their personal goals. His approach is holistic, Person-Centered, and Strengths-Based. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Andrews University and his Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University of Michigan.

Verena Fawzy

Therapist

Verena is passionate about sitting with people and learning their stories. She encourages people to come as they are and believes in the power of vulnerability and being seen. Verena completed the Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Friends University and is currently a S-MFT in the state of Missouri.

Learn More About Us

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Our Contact Information

Address: 4177 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111

Email: admin@bedfordtherapygroup.com

Phone: 816 – 659 – 5264

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