Benjamin Kohls

Benjamin Kohls is the Director of Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bethany Lutheran College and also serves in the Academic Affairs Department as an Online Instructional faculty member. With extensive experience in clinical mental health counseling since 2007, he combines his roles as educator, clinical supervisor, and practitioner.

Education

• Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of South Dakota (2017)
• M.S. in Community Counseling, Minnesota State University Mankato (2007)
• B.S. in Staff Ministry, Martin Luther College (2005)

His academic interests focus on lifelong counselor education, Christian worldview integration in therapy, and evidence-based practices. He emphasizes resilience, burnout prevention, and compassion fatigue in clinical and educational settings.

Licensure & Certifications

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (Minnesota)
• Approved Clinical Supervisor
• Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider

Professional Memberships

• American Counseling Association
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision

Ben Kohls has presented on topics such as emotional health, teacher/student mental health, and burnout prevention at virtual and in-person conferences across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. He has taught courses including Counseling Skills, Psychopharmacology of Addiction, and Clinical Intervention, bridging academic and practical mental health counseling.