About Bena

Bena is an authority on mental health and well-being in the legal profession. She is a trusted advisor to lawyers, law firms and corporate legal departments, providing counselling, education and training, and consultation on how to navigate mental health and lawyer well-being.

Bena is a lawyer, a registered clinical counsellor, a mother, and the wife of a litigator. She was a litigator for 24 years, practicing primarily medical negligence and insurance defence before transitioning to an in-house role where she defended lawyers. Bena retired from law and obtained a master’s degree in counselling.

Prior to founding Bena Stock Counselling & Consulting, Bena was Associate Director of the Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia where she regularly provided mental health and career counselling to lawyers, legal staff, and their families. She also regularly worked with law firms and the legal departments of government organizations providing customized workshops and training to their legal teams. 

Her clients regularly describe her as empathetic, insightful and supportive, while also being firm in regard to supporting them to achieve their goals. Clients appreciate not having to explain the demands of legal practice, and being able to get right to the point.

Bena is a sought-after speaker for local, national, and international organizations. Bena’s writing has appeared in the Advocate, Bar Talk, and in Topics for the BC Legal Management Association.

The fun stuff - Bena is married to a commercial litigator and together they raised two daughters, so she knows first-hand the challenges and joys of balancing the practice of law and family. Bena is an avid road cyclist and has participated in many grand fondos in BC and Europe. She has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and most recently can be found practicing her dance moves with her hip hop dance group.

Please note that Bena’s services are covered under many extended benefit plans. She is registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). Please confirm that your insurance provider covers the services of a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) if you intend to use benefits.


Client Testimonials

“Bena provides practical, knowledgeable, and sound advice for a whole range of personal issues, listens with compassion, and is a staunch defender of the inner you, rooting for you to chart a path for self-discovery, self-awareness, and above all, to claim victory over personal demons. This is all the while not sugar coating what work needs to be done to get there, because hard work and practice, is key, a process that is ongoing and not just a one-stop endeavour. Having Bena by your side is like a secret weapon. Some people have religion and faith to fight adversity; for the skeptic and lawyers out there, who are always waiting for the shoe to drop, there is Bena.”

I.T. lawyer client

“Bena is 'the lawyer whisperer'.”

G.H. lawyer client