Inspiring Conversations with Kimberly Clapp of Quality of Life Counseling Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Clapp.

Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I was always very curious and asked a lot of questions. Even as a small child I was not afraid to talk to strangers and ask them questions about themselves. When out to eat with parents I would often ask to go to the bathroom and I would stand at the sink asking the ladies in the bathroom questions about themselves. People I didn’t know would often tell me their problems or share stories about themselves with me. Sometimes I could tell peopl would be annoyed by my constant questioning, especially family members, but I never let it bother me I just moved on to someone else.
If I wasn’t talking to people I was often reading. I could and still can read a book while walking around especially a book I can’t put down.

I always knew what I wanted to do, if anyone asked me I would say I want to be a Tim Wildman. Tim was my grandmother’s psychologist who used to go to her home to do therapy. I was fascinated by the concept and my grandmother who had a lot of mental health issues would say how much it helped her. By the time I reached high school I was volunteering as a peer counselor and working as a server. Both of these positions allowed me to talk to people about their lives and offer a listening ear.
Finding myself often saying,
I can’t imagine what you’re going through but I’m here to listen.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been an easy road but I am grateful for my story. I have experienced a lot of grief and loss over the years and I have overcome health challenges. I have been exhausted from the work at times but I am certain that being a therapist is my purpose in life. I can’t imagine life without being of service to others. I have used my pain to help others and for me this feels like the best way to ensure my pain and growth from that pain is not wasted. I do believe the best use of pain in life is to help others. Everything is an opportunity to grown and help others.

We’ve been impressed with Quality of Life Counseling Center , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Certified Couples and Sex Therapist and Certified EMDR Therapist. I specialize in trauma, anxiety and relational issues. My clients find me to be active and conversational in session, I use a straightforward approach. When asked who might be a good fit for me to work with I would say is a person who wants discover where they may be blocked in life and is looking for honest empathetic feedback in a safe non judgment space.

I like to help people write their next chapter, one of the best forms of self care is creating a life that you don’t want to escape from.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Exploring the ways in which I was and am blocking myself in my relationship with myself and others has been an ongoing process. I have found developing a daily meditation practice challenging in slowing down and exploring new and different parts of myself. It’s also helped me to let go of old ideas about myself and others. Moving from safety to freedom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kimberlyclapp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyclappmft/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-clapp-lmft-54235313?trk=public_profile_browsemap