About
Training & Background
Dr. Clarke is a Florida Licensed Psychologist practicing in Lakeland and Brandon, Florida. She obtained her Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree in Honor’s Psychology from the State University of Albany in 2002. She subsequently pursued her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Her clinical training includes working at inpatient and outpatient psychiatric hospitals, continuing day treatment programs, and a university counseling center.
She completed her internship at Bellevue Hospital Center and a specialized postdoctoral fellowship in alcohol research and treatment with college students and adult women who are diagnosed with alcohol dependence and comorbid psychiatric disorders.
Approach to Therapy
Dr. Clarke is passionate about working with adolescents and adults who are experiencing emotional pain and suffering. She has significant experience conducting comprehensive psychological evaluations to first understand the presenting problem and how it is impacting your overall functioning. These assessments will help to effectively inform her treatment with you because with the most accurate diagnosis then subsequent treatment will prove to be more successful.
She specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to treat a myriad of psychological problems including depression, anxiety, addiction, anger, eating issues, relationship difficulties, and even more severe disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar. CBT is an evidence-based treatment protocol that focuses on the relationship among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to better understand and change your harmful patterns. She also integrates motivational interviewing, mindfulness and acceptance, and interpersonal psychotherapy to improve your overall quality of life.
Dr. Clarke is aware that individuals with mental illness are a stigmatized and marginalized group, therefore, she works hard to provide an open, caring, nonjudgmental, and empathic environment that will facilitate change. She also emphasizes the collaborative nature of client and therapist working together to achieve your personal goals.
Philosophy
Her philosophy of therapy is to teach you to become your own therapist, so that you can more effectively manage your stressors.