Meet Clarissa Alderman of Family Insight

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Alderman. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Family Insight emerged in 2007. As a school counselor, I saw a lot of black and brown children who struggled to express their feelings. I worked with a lot of families involved with the department of family and children services, the department of probation/parole, and the department of juvenile justice. In my work with these various agencies, I noticed the lack of quality professional services. In an effort to fill this gap, I sought out specific training and certifications to bring these services to rural south Georgia and Florida. Family Insight LLC offers specialized play therapy services in the clinic. Oftentimes, psychologists recommend playing therapy for kids who have experienced trauma (physical, sexual, neglect, etc.).

Clarissa Alderman is a native of rural South Georgia. Raised as the only child of Willie and Annie Alderman. Possess a lot of special training, certifications, and degrees. However, I have a lot of “No”s as well. Clarissa has no biological children (yet children love her), no husband, no siblings, no pets, yet aspiring to become Dr. Clarissa Alderman (doctorate degree candidate). Clarissa is the proud owner of Family Insight located in Valdosta, Georgia. Clarissa is a dually Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and Florida. She is the proud owner of a private practice outpatient counseling agency (Family Insight, LLC) specializing in trauma-informed play therapy in rural S. Georgia. Growing up in a rural town, Naylor, Georgia has afforded me to experience small-town business opportunities. Being a part of such a close-knitted family-oriented community allowed me the opportunity to develop imperishable connections and become socially active. Clarissa has over 20 years of experience working with young children and families in schools, clinical, church, and community-based settings.

Clarissa is passionate about providing evidence-based treatment to her clients, especially in complex trauma and trauma-informed treatment interventions. Clarissa enjoys consulting and training future clinicians to empower them to offer sound clinical therapy to their clients. Clarissa enjoys baking, traveling, and antique shopping in her spare time. Clarissa teaches and empowers the youth at her church. Clarissa is passionate about community service concerning cancer due to her mother’s journey with cancer and advocating for the needs of others. Today, Clarissa continues the work of community service through her mother’s foundation, Annie L Alderman Foundation and American Cancer Association. Clarissa is a member of the Georgia Association of Licensed Professional Counselors and serves on multiple associations throughout Georgia. Clarissa has presented her trauma research at conferences throughout the United States.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am from a small rural town in Georgia; it is a relatively small town where everyone knows everyone. Growing up in a rural community afforded me to experience small-town business opportunities. The disadvantage was the limited resources offered to children and no extracurricular activities such as tutoring, mentoring, or afterschool academic assistance. No locals, lack of mental health resources, and lack of industry or quality employment. Residents in rural communities often face shortages of behavioral health providers and services due to lack of transportation, lack of insurance, lack of education about services offered, etc. (LPCA, 2017). Being a part of such a close-knitted family-oriented community allowed me the opportunity to develop imperishable connections and become socially active. I participated/competed in several community-based activities including a community service volunteer program which taught me how to thrive with confidence within a group setting. Being in such a small town also created curiosity within me. I’ve always yearned to graduate and return to give back to the community. I always wanted more because country living was all that I knew. I grew up as an only child; this explains my ambivert and zealous personality. My mother ingrained a strong work ethic in me at a young age, and my father instill the importance of academics and academic performance. It is because of my mother’s support that I pursued my goal to become an entrepreneur.

In hindsight, I have blossomed into a determined, resilient businesswoman. Whether big or small, I find traces of my background and upbringing in every decision I make today. Growing up in rural Georgia with limited resources made me appreciate the opportunities that I have been afforded. I vow to give back to my community and provide academic and employment opportunities as well.

Family Insight, LLC is an outpatient counseling agency in rural South Georgia which offers specialized play therapy counseling for children and adults who have experienced trauma. Counseling is subject to societal stigma and is often viewed as a social problem. Individuals with emotional needs are more prevalent in rural communities where limited services and support are available to support them. My vision is to start a grassroots collaborative effort across professional disciplines (LMFT, LPC, and LCSW) to counsel and offer therapy to more individuals and target lower social-economic populations. According to the National Traumatic Stress Network (2003), trauma occurs when a child or youth experiences an intense event or events that threatens or causes harm to his or her emotional and physical well-being.

As you know, we’re big fans of Family Insight, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Clarissa Alderman, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. She is the proud owner of a private practice outpatient counseling agency specializing in trauma-informed play therapy in rural S. Georgia. Clarissa has over 20 years of experience working with young children and families in schools, clinical, and community-based settings. Clarissa is passionate about providing evidence-based treatment to her clients, especially in complex trauma and trauma-informed treatment interventions. Clarissa enjoys consulting and training future clinicians to empower them to offer sound clinical therapy to their clients. Clarissa enjoys baking, traveling, and antique shopping in her spare time.

Clarissa is a member of the Georgia Association of Licensed Professional Counselors and serves on multiple associations throughout Georgia. Clarissa is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Human Services at Walden University. Her generic qualitative research focuses on school counselors’ experiences when addressing anger in school-aged children in foster care. Clarissa is a nationally certified trauma focused-cognitive therapist (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, international addiction therapist, registered play therapist, and a Georgia-licensed clinical supervisor.

Family Insight utilizes a trauma-informed counseling approach. Counseling services provided include individual, couples, and family therapy using expressive therapeutic models of art, play, and music. Clarissa Alderman, Owner of Family Insight can be reached at 3971 Inner Perimeter Road Suite C Valdosta, Georgia 31601, email familyinsight2011@gmail.com, or via phone (229) 588-4291.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Fear increases anxiety. Mental Health services can be offered via telemental health and still be effective/confidential. The Pandemic impacted us socially and emotionally. Life is short so live life daily. Be the light in the darkness of life. People are not receptive to sudden changes. People struggle with change. We need socialization… The pandemic impacted how we socialize… Everything can be done virtually with modification or differentiation of instruction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://familyinsight.wixsite.com/website
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clare.aldermanbutler
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTpHRVoMHjk&t=67s
• Other: psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/clarissa-yolanda-alderman-valdosta-ga/357431?sid=1527483597.2735_30818&zipcode=31601&ref=3&tr=ResultsName