Today we’d like to introduce you to Channing Clark.
Hi Channing, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I identify myself as an expressionist. From a very young age, I experienced several traumatic events that provoked me to have a lot of emotions and thoughts that I was too young to be able to comprehend and express. Without the guidance of an adult to help me sort through those experiences I was left to find my own escape and remedy. Full of a variety of emotions that I didn’t truly understand I found the outlet of expression through writing, imagination, and theatre arts. I believe that when we find ways to truly express ourselves we can feel heard and when we feel heard we can unload our burdens and embrace our healing. Expression was and continues to be one of my journeys to healing.
My love for expression and heart for people led me on the path to become a licensed clinical professional counselor. I went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Family Science and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. In 2018, I started my private practice named Restore You Counseling and Consultation, LLC serving clients in the Washington D.C. and Maryland area. Not only do I provide counseling but I also use creative outlets to spread awareness on mental health. I have written and performed Spoken Word pieces related to mental health topics. As well as wrote, performed, produced, and co-directed a play titled “Confessions of the Hopeless” that depicted depression as an evil villain seeking to take hope from those it encountered. Most recently, I wrote a children’s book titled “Ari Meets Her Feelings” along with an activity journal to help children identify and cope with their feelings. I am determined to ensure that those who are suffering with a mental illness and their relatives have the resources they need.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I believe and typically encourage my clients that there is beauty in our struggles. I am of the opinion that our struggles help to highlight our strengths and give us insight that we may not have had if we were on the “smooth road.”
During my childhood, I experienced a lot of ups and downs and one of my main outlets or coping strategies was to engage in journaling and writing poetry. It was my safe place to air out my frustrations and to try to process all of my feelings. I remember one day I felt God challenging me to begin to share my poetry with others. There was this strong push to share my poetry because it was what others needed to hear. Yet, I didn’t understand why God would want that from me because anyone that knew me knew that I was shy. I hated speaking in front of crowds of people. I was afraid to share my intimate thoughts with others because I didn’t know what they would say or do afterwards.
But, the desire to help others was stronger. I signed up to perform at my church and it was such an emotional experience. I remember taking off of work the day before just to be able to prepare myself emotionally. I was drenched in tears thinking about all the missed opportunities in my life. All the times that I allowed fear to prevent me from doing the things that I really wanted to do. That day I made a decision to fight through the feelings and get my victory in that area. I could feel the anxiety in my stomach and I said to myself “today you will not be anxious.” I realized that I owed it to myself to follow through with this. And I did. When I opened my mouth the words fell out and people were in awe that little ole me could perform with such vigor.
As I overcome my fear to perform in front of others, I gradually began to overcome the fear that resided in other areas as well. Taking on challenging positions, starting a private practice, and so on were slightly easier to pursue because I started the process when I began performing spoken word.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the owner and clinical director of Restore You Counseling and Consultation. A passionate professional with 15 years of experience in the mental health field and 20 years of experience in creative writing. With both my personal and professional experience I have been able to create two journaling guides and a children’s book. I’ve recently completed my first Children’s book titled “Ari Meets Her Feelings” along with a journaling guide for children. These two books help children to identify and cope with their feelings amongst other things. I’ve also developed a journaling guide for adults titled “Story of My Life” which is an introspective journaling tool that assists individuals with identifying both, healthy and unhealthy patterns in their behavior in hopes of restoring a positive sense of self.
As a counselor, I love empowering my clients to address and resolve their personal, social, and psychological challenges. Since I am a writer, poet, and playwright I love to include writing and creative arts in my work with clients. I typically utilize cognitive behavioral, person-centered, solution focused, and mindfulness approaches within therapy sessions. My hope is to create an atmosphere where clients can identify and become their true selves. I believe that sometimes experiences in life can taint one’s genuine self and cause them to develop defense mechanisms that prevent their true nature from being shared with the world. My passion is to help women to navigate through life’s experiences and difficulties in order to embrace and nurture their true identity. Clients can expect to be in a nonjudgmental environment where they can be heard and free to express themselves.
As a consultant, I help organizations to develop, implement, and manage clinical services and teams. My company has had the privilege of partnering with organizations such as Exodus Treatment Center, Columbia Learning International Ministries, Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, Woodland Job Corps, and Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. We have received funding opportunities provided by Office of Victims Services and Justice Grants and Building Blocks DC.
What matters most to you? Why?
Even as I answer these questions, I think one of the overarching themes would have to be having compassion for others that may be suffering or dealing with challenging situations. That is so important to me because when we are suffering it’s so common for us to feel isolated and alone while in a very vulnerable position. I consider it an honor that I have been trained and get to meet people in that space.
Contact Info:
- Email: contactus@restoreyoucounseling.com
- Website: www.restoreyoucounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoreyoucc/ | https://www.instagram.
com/express2heal/ and https://www.instagram.com/ lit_therapy4kids/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RestoreYouCC/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3MwX6mObumM-ReH20VtfEw
