Therapist Spotlight: Interviewing Adult Therapist Clara Gay
DK Therapy has grown, and we would like to give you the opportunity to get to know a little more about our therapists, what challenges their clients face, and what it would be like to work with them.
At DK, we focus on your comfort within the therapy office. We hope that knowing a bit about your therapist before your first visit helps you make a connection even before meeting them.
Without further ado…Let’s get to know adult therapist Clara Gay, LSW.
Clara Gay, LSW – Taking a boat tour of Paris on the Seine
What experiences have brought you to the helping profession?
Clara Gay: I knew from a young age that I wanted to be in a helping profession, but I wasn’t sure which career path to take. In high school, I took AP Psychology as well as sociology classes. This led me to majoring in psychology in college with minors in criminal justice and education during college.
The perfect mix of these studies? Social work.
As I pursued my Master’s in Social Work, I learned about all the ways I could use my degree. Through some eye-opening internships and amazing professors, I learned that being a therapist would allow me to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. I loved the idea that each day would be a bit different, but with the focus of each moment being on creating a space for those to share their stories and work towards new possibilities.
Why do you think it is important for people to participate in therapy?
Clara Gay: Everyone who decides to engage in therapy has a different reason. Many people need dedicated time to self-reflect and grow with the help of an unbiased party.
Others are looking for support in the form of someone listening and validating their experience. Some clients are looking to learn concrete skills that they can use outside of session or an accountability partner through the use of “therapy homework”.
No matter why you’re seeking therapy, showing up for yourself by creating an appointment is the first step toward achieving your goals!
What are some of the challenges your clients face?
Clara Gay: The most common challenge I see my clients face is anxiety and depression regarding life changes or the unknown of the future.
Life is full of so many decisions with pressure from the world to pick the “right” one. Sometimes, your life feels scary not due to your own actions, but by circumstances outside of your control.
Learning how to distinguish what parts of your life you can change to be in line with your values versus what you need to learn how to effectively cope with can make a world of difference in decreasing feelings of overwhelm.
