Ben Yalom

Ben Yalom – psychotherapy, creativity, and values in action

Ben Yalom works at the intersection of psychotherapy, creativity, and lived experience. As a psychotherapist and coach, his focus is on helping individuals and groups understand their core values and bring them into alignment with how they live, work, and make decisions. His talks speak directly to audiences navigating complexity, change, and the quiet question of whether their lives truly reflect what they care about.

Ben’s approach is grounded, thoughtful, and human. He does not offer quick fixes, but rather clear frameworks and reflections that invite deeper understanding. By drawing on both psychological insight and creative thinking, Ben Yalom helps audiences reconnect with purpose and discover new ways forward.

Creative leadership from the world of theater

For over two decades, Ben Yalom was the visionary force behind foolsFURY, an influential experimental theater group that helped transform San Francisco’s performing arts scene between 1998 and 2020. Under his creative leadership, foolsFURY became known for bold experimentation, emotional honesty, and original theatrical language.

This long experience in theater deeply informs Ben’s speaking. He understands creativity not as a vague concept, but as a discipline one that requires courage, collaboration, and a willingness to step into uncertainty. On stage as a speaker, Ben brings the same presence and attentiveness that defined his theater work, creating talks that feel alive, responsive, and engaging.

Teaching creative practice and theatrical thinking

Ben Yalom has taught foolsFURY’s techniques in theater creation at numerous universities in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. His teaching experience has given him a strong ability to translate complex ideas into clear, usable insights for diverse audiences.

In his speaking engagements, Ben draws on these years of teaching to guide audiences through creative ways of thinking about work, relationships, and identity. He shows how theatrical thinking attention, improvisation, and awareness can enrich professional life and personal growth alike.

Therapy, coaching, and meaningful work

As a psychotherapist and coach, Ben Yalom works with people who want their lives to make sense from the inside out. His therapy and coaching focus on understanding values, clarifying inner conflicts, and unlocking creative approaches to work and life. These themes form the core of his talks.

Audiences booking Ben Yalom for their event gain access to a speaker who understands both the emotional and practical dimensions of change. He speaks with empathy, precision, and respect for the complexity of human experience. His sessions often leave participants with a stronger sense of clarity and a renewed connection to what truly matters.

Writing and collaboration with Irvin D. Yalom

Ben Yalom is also a writer and a longtime collaborator with his father, the renowned psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom. Together, they recently wrote Hour of the Heart, an international bestseller that reflects their shared commitment to depth, honesty, and the therapeutic encounter.

This collaborative writing has further shaped Ben’s voice as a speaker. He brings literary sensitivity, psychological insight, and lived experience together, creating talks that feel both intimate and expansive. His ability to weave story, reflection, and professional insight makes his presentations memorable and impactful.