I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. Ihave worked in the field of mental health for over 12 years. I maintain a private practice in Springfield, Illinois.

My niches include Grief/Loss Recovery work, relationship issues and dissociative disorders. My clientel also includes working with people cope through self-injury, and have experienced trauma of some sort in their lives. In addition to mu niches I enjoy working with people dealing with problems brought on by depression, anxiety, and stress. Outside the realm of counseling, I also provide Life Coaching for individuals and organizations who are interested in dealing with moving forward and increasing their ability to reach their goals and follow their dreams. Life Coaching is NOT professional counseling and depending on the problem the person is facing, he/she will be screened to see if the best fit is professional counseling to deal with past issues that impact your current situation or Life coaching to deal with the challenges and barriers that prevent you from reaching your present goals.

Sessions are interactive, geared toward helping the client find solutions and resolutions to problems being presented.  My role as your counselor is to provide support and practical feedback to help you effectively address personal life challenges. Each interaction is tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding and empathy I work with each individual from his/her point of entry into counseling  or the Life coaching relationship building on the person's strengths in order to attain the personal growth each is committed to accomplishing.

My handprint on life is the reallization early in life that every person has his/her own gifts to share and impart to others. My own personal experiences awakened my passion of helping those who struggle with emotional, psychological and physical challenges. I have, most often, been on the receiving end of learning patience and compassion for others. Also, my love of animals and the healing they offer also has been an imprint in my life. I live with my Shihztu, Zeus, and three cats, Camille, Blackie and Tommy.


Examples of Presentation and Workshops include:
Living Life Fully: Persevering through Loss as We Age
Integrating Recovery Language: Clinical Documentation Requirements for Medicaid Rehabilitation Option
Overcoming Stigma in Mental Health  
Person-Centered Treatment Planning
Recovery and Supported Employment
Self-Harming Behaviors in Adolescents
Strengths Based Case Management
Trauma and Recovery
Wellness Recovery Action Planning

Education
Master of Science in Education, Concentration: Community Counseling, Eastern Illinois University, 1999
Bachelor of Science, Major: Physical Education, Minor: History, Eastern Illinois University, 1982

Licenses & Certifications 
National Certified Counselor
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Awards & Recognition
National Association of Professional Women 2010
People to People Ambassador Programs: Counseling Delegation to Rwanda, 2009
Cambridge Who's Who 2008
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Dupage County Educator of the Year, 2007

Professional Activities and Memberships
American Counseling Association
Illinois Association for Adult Development and Aging
Illinois Counseling Association
Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
In Your Own Voice State Trainer/Presenter
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Illinois Chapter
Wellness Recovery Action Planning Recovery Educator, Facilitator and Trainer
 

Contact my office at 217.206.5952 regarding professional counseling, services, or  
conducting a training, presentation, workshop and/or consultation.

For folks interested in working with a Life Coach, I can be reached at 217.899.0466.        

                                                                                                                        Connie L. Clark  

Professional Counselor
Life Coach