Dr. Clay Connelly
Hi, I'm Dr. Clay Connelly but please just call me "Clay." I am a licensed mental health counselor with over 15 years of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate life's challenges. I believe therapy works best when clients feel comfortable, respected, and genuinely heard. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and practical, helping clients identify patterns that may be keeping them stuck while building skills to create meaningful change. I work with individuals facing anxiety, depression, anger, stress, relationship difficulties, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, and other emotional challenges. Whether you are seeking support during a difficult time or looking to better understand yourself and your relationships, I strive to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where growth and healing can occur.
Looking forward to helping you grow, Clay My biggest strengths are communication, applying methods situationally, and working collaboratively, to best meet your needs.
My goal is to help clients develop greater confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being so they can move forward with clarity and purpose.
First session
Many people feel nervous before their first therapy session, which is completely understandable. Our first meeting is primarily a conversation focused on getting to know you and understanding what led you to seek therapy at this point in your life. We'll talk about the challenges you're facing, your personal history, and what you'd like to accomplish through counseling. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions about the therapy process and what working together might look like. My goal is to create a comfortable, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, respected, and supported from the very beginning. By the end of our session, we'll have a clearer understanding of your goals and discuss next steps for moving forward.
Strengths
Clients often describe me as approachable, supportive, and easy to talk to. I bring patience, empathy, and over 15 years of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate life's challenges. I believe in building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, collaboration, and respect. My goal is to help clients feel understood while also providing practical tools, new perspectives, and encouragement for growth. I work to create an environment where clients can be honest about their struggles, explore solutions, and develop confidence in their ability to create meaningful change.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is an adolescent, teen, or adult who is feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change. They may be struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, or difficulty managing emotions. Whether they are seeking support for a specific issue or simply want to better understand themselves, they are looking for a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore their experiences and develop practical tools for growth. I enjoy working with individuals who are motivated to improve their well-being, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful change in their lives.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is an evidence-based approach that helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier, more effective ways of responding to life's challenges. I use CBT to help clients manage concerns such as anxiety, depression, anger, stress, low self-esteem, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative and practical, helping clients learn skills they can apply outside of sessions to create lasting change. I tailor CBT techniques to each client's individual needs, goals, and circumstances.
Location
Virtual sessions