top of page

About Ben

Ben Ayantola, Counselor

Hello, my name is Ben Ayantola. I am the founder and manager of Advocatus Counseling, LLC. As a Licensed Professional Counselor I provide psychotherapy to children (6-10), adolescents, and adults.

 

My career in behavioral health began in 2006 working with adults with mental illness within the vocational rehabilitation setting. My work experience has span a variety of treatment settings (inpatient, outpatient, residential, and juvenile detention). This has enabled me the opportunity to work with a diverse population of individuals including children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.

 

I am passionate about being a person who is willing, and able to come along side an individual to experience what they are feeling and seeing within their life.  I view it as a privilege to be allowed the opportunity to be introduced into your life and perspective. So in that, I take the utmost care and respect when I speak, with the words that I use,  and the body language that I present.

Who I am today has been impacted by the environment in which I grew up in.  Both my parents are Deaf. This has allowed me to live within three different cultures throughout my life; the Deaf culture, the Hearing culture, and the African-American culture. My world-view has taught me to be very observant of my surroundings and conscientious of the people in it.  I believe I have an advantage in that way, due to the fact, that I have access to several different points of view and opinions.  This has ingrained an ability to communicate with people without bias or preconceived notions.

​

When I am not at work, I am blessed to be able to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy being active, whether that is playing basketball or coaching my kids’ sports teams. My faith keeps me grounded, and is integral in how I understand myself, and maintain the healthy relationships in my life.

 

Education

​

  • Associate’s Degree; Deaf Studies - Northwestern Connecticut Community College

  • Bachelor’s Degree; Human Services - University of Connecticut

  • Master’s of Science; Professional Counseling: Mental Health and Rehabilitation - Central Connecticut State University

  • Licensed Professional Counselor - License # 18123

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

​

Certifications in evidence-based interventions

​

  • Motivational Interviewing 

  • Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) model - cited on SAMSHA’s NREPP, CEBC, and NCTSN 

  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MET/CBT) - a substance abuse intervention cited on CEBC and NCJFCJ 

  • Anger Replacement Therapy (ART) - cited on Episcenter.


*Note: I am bi-lingual. Fluent in both American Sign Language and English

bottom of page