LICSW, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi! I'm Jeffery Clark. I work with adolescents, Veterans, and first responders/health care workers. Quite the combo, I know! I found that I'm comfortable with being uncomfortable in the therapy space. The patients I often see are those who've tried therapy with some success, but they didn't really 'click' with the therapist. Welcome to my approach! No suits and ties. Handouts optional. Thoughts, feelings, emotions are highly encouraged. Therapy is already hard enough, so I try my best to create a relationship that holds the necessary boundaries while encouraging you through direct and humors engagement. Once we have that relationship locked in, then we can go about figuring out how to obtain those self-defined goals you thought about when you clicked on this profile for the first time.
Our first session is often times the most difficult because I'm just some random guy that you spent maybe 15 minutes on the phone with discussing your presenting concerns for therapy. Yes, I will be asking a lot of questions and no you're not required to tell me everything. I'm still the new guy in your life! Boundaries are OK! Still, I work effectively and quickly by identifying those boundaries and help you become comfortable within our relationship to open up about them. These hidden things are often dark, intrusive thoughts, infidelity, and substance use. My goal isn't to put ANYONE in a hospital, tell on them to their spouse/loved one, or refer you to substance use treatment. I can handle a lot more than other clinicians because my years of experience working inpatient and outpatient have allowed me to see you as HUMAN and not just a quick yes/no worksheet and safety screening. So, yes. This first session is a lot and it will be uncomfortable, but those hard things you do now will allow us to attack what's actually bringing you into therapy.
What makes me unique is my humor, ability to distill therapy terms and interventions into non-clinical lingo, and remaining human throughout our time. I swear, if you saw me in person, outside of work, I'm the same dude! SAME. No therapist mask or bravado. Just Jeffery. Regarding results, I am proud to say that my retention rate for clients remains high and I have been lucky enough to have clients return to me multiple times throughout the years. Personally, I find that marker to be the best indicator of success!
I am best positioned to serve teenagers struggling with adjustment or family issues at home, Veterans and their complex needs towards healing and adjustment, and assisting first responders/health care workers address their symptoms while continuing onward with their job. One unique background piece I have, is my experience as a Combat Veteran in the US Army. I use this not as a 'show me,' but rather, to show YOU, the client that I understand what it feels like to be confused, overwhelmed, suffering from intrusive thinking, and looking into corners where often nobody's there. Together, we can work towards those concerns you have and create healthier coping habits, better relationships, and with a little bit of luck (and hard work), you'll return back to your own skin and not see it as the enemy.
I have over five years of experience working within the ACT framework and can say bringing psychological flexibility to my patients allows them to thrive in their current environment. Once we identify ways to remain in the present moment (that's where all behaviors occur), we then explore your values and create goals towards walking those self-idealized values.
Often the quiet trauma-informed intervention these days, CPT offers a whole different approach towards integrating the left and right brain towards reducing trauma symptoms. Through 12 specific sessions, I will guide you step-by-step on the ways distorted thinking patterns prohibit healing and gently approach the yucky stuck that's holding you back. This treatment is great for those who like homework!
Gold standard treatment for the Department of Veteran Affairs and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), this treatment is a robust and holistic way towards healing from trauma and other 'stuck' stuff. Through an in-depth intervention, I will guide you through a weekly process of using dual attention (one foot in the past, another in the present) and bilateral stimulation to reduce PTSD symptoms and help you understand the origins of your traumas. Often viewed as intense, I make sure to spend multiple sessions before practicing grounding skills like 'Container' and 'Calm Place' to ensure when we begin the treatment, you'll feel safe and in control the whole time.