(she/her)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and mothers across different stages of life. My work focuses on helping individuals better understand their emotions, navigate life transitions, and create space for healing and growth. I specialize in supporting children and teens in identifying and expressing their feelings, college students managing stress, anxiety, and life changes, and mothers who are navigating the emotional journey of motherhood, whether they are new or experienced. In addition to my clinical work, I am also a researcher with a PhD in Social Work. This allows me to stay grounded in evidence-based practices while continuously exploring new and effective ways to support the individuals and families I work with. I bring both clinical expertise and real-life perspective into my sessions, especially as a mother myself, which allows me to connect with clients in a meaningful and relatable way. My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and personalized. I believe that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, heard, and understood—no matter how big or small their experiences may feel. Together, we work to make sense of your emotions, identify patterns, and develop tools that help you move forward in a way that feels right for you. Each client receives an individualized treatment plan along with practical tools and strategies to use outside of sessions, so that growth continues beyond our time together.
Your first session is all about getting comfortable, building connection, and beginning to understand what brings you to therapy. I approach this session with care and intention so that you feel supported from the very beginning. We will start by going over a few basics, including confidentiality, what therapy looks like, and how I work. This is also your time to ask any questions you may have about the process. I want you to feel informed and confident about moving forward. From there, we will begin talking about you. There is no pressure to share everything at once. You can go at your own pace. Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want to talk about, while others are still trying to figure it out. Both are completely okay. For children and adolescents, I take a developmentally appropriate approach. This may include using play, drawing, or simple conversation to help them express their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels natural and safe. My goal is to create an environment where they feel comfortable being themselves while also learning how to name and understand their emotions. For college students and young adults, we often explore stress, identity, academic pressure, relationships, and life direction. This is a time of significant change, and therapy can provide support in navigating those transitions with clarity and confidence. For mothers, our work may include processing the emotional experience of motherhood, balancing responsibilities, managing stress, and exploring how your own experiences may be impacting your parenting. Whether you are newly postpartum or have been a mother for years, this space is for you. As we talk, I am not only listening to what you say but also how your experiences connect. I begin to identify patterns, emotional themes, and areas where support may be most helpful. By the end of the first session, we will: Identify initial goals for therapy, Discuss what support might look like moving forward, Begin outlining a personalized treatment plan, Talk about tools or strategies you can begin using right away. I often provide something you can take with you after the session. This may be a reflection prompt, a simple exercise, or a skill to practice. Therapy is not just about what happens during our time together—it is also about what you are able to carry into your daily life. It is important to know that you do not have to have everything figured out to start therapy. The first session is simply the beginning of understanding. You are allowed to show up exactly as you are. Therapy is a collaborative process. We will move at a pace that feels right for you, and your voice will always be central to the work we do together.
What stands out most about my approach to therapy is the combination of clinical expertise, real-life understanding, and a commitment to making mental health feel accessible and meaningful for each client. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual I work with has a unique story, and my role is to meet you where you are. I take the time to understand your experiences, your environment, and what matters most to you so that therapy feels relevant and personalized. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to help clients understand their emotions in a clear and manageable way. Many people come into therapy feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what they are experiencing, or unable to put their feelings into words. I help break that down so you can begin to identify, name, and make sense of your emotions. Once there is understanding, we can begin to work through them together. I also focus heavily on creating a safe and supportive environment. Whether you are a child learning how to express big feelings, a college student navigating life changes, or a mother carrying multiple responsibilities, you deserve a space where you can be honest without judgment. I am intentional about building that space in every session. My background in research allows me to integrate evidence-based practices into my work while still keeping sessions practical and engaging. I use approaches such as cognitive and behavioral strategies, narrative work, and insight-based exploration to help clients understand patterns and develop new ways of thinking and responding. At the same time, I prioritize making therapy feel real and usable. Each session is designed to give you something you can take with you—whether that is a skill, a new perspective, or a tool to apply in your daily life. I believe therapy should extend beyond the session and support you in real-world situations. Another strength I bring is my ability to work across different stages of life while still maintaining a consistent and grounded approach. My work with children, adolescents, and families allows me to understand how early experiences shape emotional development. My work with college students and mothers allows me to support individuals through key life transitions. This range helps me see the full picture and support clients in a more comprehensive way. As a mother myself, I also bring a level of lived understanding to my work with parents. While every experience is different, I recognize the emotional weight, responsibilities, and adjustments that come with motherhood. This allows me to connect in a way that feels both professional and relatable. I am also deeply committed to accessibility in mental health. I believe therapy should feel approachable, not overwhelming or disconnected. My approach focuses on meeting clients in a way that feels comfortable, practical, and aligned with their everyday lives. Ultimately, my goal is to help you feel more confident in understanding yourself, more equipped to manage your emotions, and more supported as you move through life. Therapy with me is not just about talking—it is about building awareness, developing tools, and creating meaningful change over time.
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves, even if they are not exactly sure where to start. Many of the individuals I work with are navigating transitions, feeling overwhelmed, or noticing patterns in their emotions, relationships, or daily life that they want to change. For children and adolescents, my ideal client may struggle with identifying or expressing their emotions, managing behavior, or adjusting to changes at home, school, or within their family. They benefit from a supportive space where they can learn emotional language, build confidence, and feel safe expressing both big and small feelings. For college students and young adults, I often work best with those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or uncertainty about life direction. They may feel pressure to “figure things out” while managing academic, social, or personal responsibilities. These clients are looking for clarity, coping strategies, and a space to process their experiences without judgment. For mothers, my ideal client may be navigating the emotional weight of motherhood, whether they are new to the role or have been parenting for years. They may feel overwhelmed, stretched thin, or impacted by their own past experiences while trying to show up for their family. They are seeking support, balance, and a space that centers them. Across all groups, I work best with clients who are open to reflection, willing to engage in the process, and interested in using tools outside of session to support their growth. My clients do not need to have everything figured out—they just need a willingness to show up. I am best positioned to support individuals who want therapy to feel practical, personalized, and meaningful, with a focus on real-life application and lasting change.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I use TF-CBT to support children, adolescents, and families in processing difficult or overwhelming experiences in a structured and safe way. This approach helps clients understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building coping skills to manage mental health. In my practice, I adapt TF-CBT to meet each client’s developmental level and emotional readiness, ensuring they feel supported throughout the process. I integrate this work with a strong focus on emotional identification and expression, helping clients make sense of their experiences while gradually building confidence, safety, and emotional regulation in their daily lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate DBT skills to help clients manage intense emotions, reduce overwhelm, and improve their ability to cope in challenging situations. This includes teaching practical skills such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. In my therapy, DBT is presented in a simple, relatable way so clients can easily apply these tools outside of sessions. Whether working with adolescents, young adults, or mothers, I focus on helping clients slow down, understand their emotional responses, and respond more effectively. DBT supports my goal of providing clients with real, usable strategies that strengthen their ability to navigate everyday stressors.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is a core part of my approach because I believe understanding your emotions is the first step toward healing. I help clients learn what they are feeling, why they are feeling it, and how those emotions connect to their thoughts and behaviors. This process makes mental health feel less overwhelming and more manageable. I provide clear, practical explanations and tools that clients can use in their daily lives. Whether working with children, college students, or mothers, psychoeducation helps build awareness, normalize experiences, and empower clients to take an active role in their growth and emotional well-being.
Narrative
Narrative therapy allows clients to explore their personal stories and how those stories shape their identity, emotions, and relationships. I help clients separate themselves from their challenges so they can begin to see new perspectives and possibilities. In my work, this approach is especially helpful for individuals navigating life transitions, past experiences, or identity development. Together, we identify patterns, reframe experiences, and create more empowering narratives. This aligns with my overall approach of helping clients feel understood while also building confidence in their ability to define their own story and move forward in a way that feels meaningful to them.
7 ratings with written reviews
August 13, 2025
I was searching through all of the providers selected for me from my filtering and for whatever reason (at that time) I kept coming back to Dr. Kortney. I came back to her 4 times. Scheduled my first session and I don’t regret it one bit! I’m beyond happy I chose her. She is warm, she is welcoming, she is direct, she is comforting, she has awesome ideas and makes me connect dots I never even knew would connect. After each session I feel relieved, I feel empowered and ready for what I need to do.
May 2, 2025
I’ve never felt more aligned with a therapist, and I’m so grateful for the care and clarity Dr. Clinton brings to every session. What sets her apart is how intentional and empowering her approach is. She provides thoughtful exercises and tools that help me continue the work between sessions, which has made a real difference in my growth. She asks the kinds of questions that make you pause and truly reflect, helping you discover insights that stick—not just in the moment, but long after.
April 24, 2025
Kortney is very passionate about her job and she has helped me during difficult times.