by Justin Clark
Many people wonder what actually happens in therapy — and what they might come to a therapist for. The truth is, most clients arrive at my practice when they’ve realized that what they’ve been trying on their own isn’t working anymore. They’re ready for change, but they’re not sure how to make it happen.
For example, some feel stuck in the same painful arguments with their partner, while others feel overwhelmed by anxiety or weighed down by a past they can’t seem to move beyond. And some are simply tired of forcing themselves into boxes that don’t fit.
In my work, I offer a space where you can understand yourself deeply, feel supported, and begin moving toward healthier, more authentic ways of living. To learn more, keep reading for what clients most often come to me for — and what I love about walking alongside them.
1. Unpacking the Past Without Judgment
Many of the people I support grew up in homes where emotions were hidden or dismissed. Conflict often meant yelling. Needs were seen as inconvenient. Over time, these lessons became blueprints for adult life.
Clients come to therapy with me to make sense of those early experiences and how they’re still shaping their self-worth, parenting, and relationships today. They’re looking for a space to finally sort through it all without fear of being dismissed or told to “just get over it.”
Ultimately, we work together to rewrite the story — one that honours their experiences and helps them move forward with compassion.
2. Building Healthier, More Secure Relationships
Whether with a partner, a parent, or yourself, feeling safe and connected matters deeply.
For couples, that often means breaking free of destructive cycles and learning to truly hear each other again. For individuals, it can mean setting boundaries, communicating needs clearly, and quieting the inner critic.
I believe secure, compassionate relationships form the foundation of a good life. In therapy, we build the tools and emotional safety you need to create them. Over time, those shifts ripple into every part of your world.
3. Navigating Sex and Intimacy with Confidence
Another common reason people come to me is to work through challenges with sex and intimacy. Couples often come in worried about mismatched desire or feeling disconnected. In most cases, it’s not a lack of love — it’s a lack of understanding and communication.
Together, we untangle misinformation about the human sexual response cycle, challenge harmful gender roles, and normalize the wide range of sexual experiences. As partners learn to express their needs and desires without shame, tension transforms into deeper connection and trust.
4. Supporting Neurodiverse Clients
Many of my clients are discovering that their brains work differently. For example, they may have ADHD, be autistic, or simply know they don’t fit the “neurotypical” mold. Ultimately, they’re tired of forcing themselves into boxes that don’t fit.
Instead of seeking to be “fixed,” they want to be understood — and to learn strategies that work with their wiring, not against it. In our sessions, we focus on helping them stop feeling broken and start leveraging their strengths.
What I Love Most About This Work
The “what” of therapy matters. But for me, the “why” is what fuels me.
I don’t love this work because I have all the answers — in fact, that’s not my job. What I cherish most is being a catalyst for self-compassion.
After my own journey — from growing up without an emotional language, to struggling in unhealthy relationships, to discovering the relief of learning about attachment and neurodiversity — I know how transformative self-compassion can be. It’s the antidote to shame, self-blame, and the feeling of being “too much” or “not enough.”
Furthermore, I love the breakthroughs in session. But I especially love the moment, weeks or months later, when a client casually mentions how they handled a stressful situation differently. When they say, “I started to get anxious, but then I remembered what we talked about — and I was kinder to myself.”
That’s the magic. That’s when the work takes root.
Overall, if I had to pick one of the most rewarding parts of my work, it’s in couples therapy. I love the moment when a couple looks at each other with pure affection for the first time in months — when they recount how they met or remember a happy memory together. In those moments, you can see why they’re fighting so hard to make it work. You see the person behind the problem.
My Role as a Therapist
As a therapist, I create a grounded, compassionate space where you can be honest about what’s really going on — without fear of judgment or shame.
Clients often tell me our sessions feel like exhaling after holding their breath for years.
Ultimately, my goal is to help you reconnect with your sense of stability and trust yourself again.
Witnessing that process — the moment you realize you were never broken, only wounded, and that healing is possible — is the greatest privilege of my work.
Gentle Invitation
If you’ve been thinking about therapy and wondering what it’s like, I invite you to book a free consult with me. Together, we’ll create a safe, supportive space where you can start your own journey of understanding and growth.