Jo Anne Kaplan, MFT, Ph.D.

Norman R. Bentson provides individual psychotherapy services using humanistic, existential, object relations, attachment, cognitive, transpersonal and body-oriented approaches to help clients access, understand and resolve core-issues. During this process, Norman teaches clients how to use specific mental-health intended to increase self-awareness and well-being regardless of outside reality. 

Norman also conducts Bilingual Psychological Medical-Legal Evaluations within the Worker’s Compensation arena. He has developed an infrastructure to adhere to the DWC guidelines of psychiatric evaluations and to consistently provide reports on a timely basis assisting parties in determining levels of disability and return-to work issues. Interpreters are not required since Norman speaks perfect Spanish. Pre-operative Psychological Assessments are also provided. The Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines (ACOEM, 2004) emphasizes that physicians should consider psychological evaluations as part of the surgical pre-screening process. Prior to working in the field of psychology Norman Bentson was a Bilingual Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for 15 years, assisting clients with disabilities within the Workers Compensation industry. As such, he has a unique understanding of the psychological implications of disability.  

Norman R. Bentson was born in California and was raised and lived in Latin America for more than 20 years. The Californian Board of Psychology approved Norman R. Bentson as Psychological Assistant under Dr Jo Anne Kaplan. He is completing his Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) at Southern California University, has a MA in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, an MA degree in Theology and Cross-Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and a BA in Business Administration from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE). Norman completed a 3-year certificate program at the Integrated Body Psychotherapy Institute (IBP) located in Venice, California, in 2009.