Clara Manley
LPC
My Approach
Clara’s approach stems from the fundamental principles of compassion and authenticity. They seek to model that from your first encounter to “graduation” from therapy, and beyond. As an advocate for self-compassion, safe relationships, and equity in social and emotional well-being across diverse populations, Clara draws from her background in racial identity research and equine-assisted therapies to help bridge the patient with their community. Clara’s motto, “Connection is healing,” reflects a relational, adaptable approach that considers the patient’s strengths and challenges within larger systems or relationships. Her grounded, welcoming presence helps establish a therapeutic alliance that will help guide the process of therapy and achievement of goals. Clara encourages celebration of small steps, modeling self-compassion and highlighting the bravery of change is a mindful, inquisitive process. Clara’s background in child and family therapy and trauma informs her inclusive, open, and welcoming presence, as she encourages you to also welcome all aspects of yourself in the therapeutic environment. Clara is a natural teacher, and helps provide the soft nudge to explore outside of your comfort zone by incorporating body-based and experiential activities that can reveal insight and make room for laughter and joy.
Clara has earned her Equine Assisted Mental Health Certification (EAMH).
Ages Treated | Children, Preteens, Teens, Adults
About Clara Manley
My Experience
Clara received her Bachelor of General Studies with a minor in Psychology and Sociology from Columbia College of Missouri, where she gravitated towards topics such as culture, equity, and individual and social change. She then went on to receive her Master of Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she specialized in Latinx Mental Health services. There, she worked with the founders of the IC-Race (Immigration, Critical Race, and Cultural Equity) Lab, who she collaborates with to this day on publications that provide therapists and patients tools for navigating systemic oppression, liberation, and healing. She worked in a domestic violence counseling nonprofit before working in a private practice that specializes in child and family therapy. They attended Denver University’s Institute for Human and Animal Connection’s Equine Assisted Mental Health program, where she incorporated equine-assisted therapy at a nonprofit before returning to private practice. She works with young children through older adults with anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, and relational conflict. Her passion for this expanding profession strengthens their interest in pursuing new approaches to helping others heal, and she plans to one day receive training in the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapies. They continue to foster an environment of cultural humility, mindfulness, and celebration of her patients’ unique healing journeys.
Education
Columbia College of Missouri, B.A.
General Studies with Minor in Psychology and Sociology
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Specialization in Latinx Mental Health
Denver University’s Institute for Human and Animal Connection, Equine Assisted Mental Health certification
Languages Spoken
English
Gender
She/They
Location
Treatment Modalities
- Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Culturally Sensitive Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- Family Systems Therapy
- Feminist Therapy
- Internal Family Systems Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Multicultural Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Relational Therapy
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Strength Based Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy