THE LETTERS BEHIND MY NAME - WHAT DO THEY EVEN MEAN?!
Jess Clodfelter, MS, LCMHC, LPC, NCC, CCTP-II
she/they (What's a Pronoun & Why Do They Matter?)
That’s a lot of letters, right? Here’s what they mean: I graduated with my Master’s in Counselor Education, focusing on Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from Radford University in 2014. I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina and a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina. I’m a Level II Certified Clinical Trauma Professional - basically, I’ve done a ton of training to make sure the therapy I do is trauma-informed and that I’m qualified to help with all kinds of trauma using a range of treatment methods. Oh, and I’m also a Nationally Certified Counselor, which means I’ve passed the big-deal national exam, meet strict training standards yearly, and keep up with continuing ed. I do it to make sure you’re never left figuring it out all alone - "I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this".
Sure, I’ve got the trainings, the credentials, & the fancy letters after my name - but honestly? None of that means a thing if we don’t vibe. I believe the real magic 🪄in therapy happens through trust, connection, and feeling genuinely seen. Our relationship? That’s the change-maker. The rest is just extra sparkle.✨
THERAPY, BUT MAKE IT FIT YOU!
Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all service.
Sure, there are some things that are pretty standard across the board, but I believe therapy works best when it’s built for you - not just a cookie-cutter technique used for every client. What matters most to me is the relationship and rapport we build, so I use a person-centered approach in every session. From there, I take an eclectic approach to counseling, pulling from feminist therapy, narrative therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, and trauma-focused modalities - whatever is best for your needs!
I primarily work with the LGBTQ community & provide gender-affirming counseling, transgender-supportive therapy, help non-binary/enby & transgender folx navigate gender dysphoria, & offer LGBTQ therapy for anyone in the community. Don't worry if you're not a part of the LGBTQ community, though! There's a safe space here for you, too! I'm all about helping all kinds of people live their best lives in 2025.
MILLENNIAL THERAPIST, SWIFTIE, & JUST A REGULAR NORMAL PERSON.
Here’s the scoop on who I am when I’m not in session…
I’ve been married to my sweet, sweet wife Emily for almost four years, am a proud fur-mama to four fur babes, and am a supportive friend. I’m a die-hard Panthers and Chiefs fan, (yep, the team that always loses and the team that always wins -minus the 2024 Super Bowl), and I'll bleed Carolina blue forever!
When I’m not watching sports, you can find me absorbed in a book on my Kindle - right now I'm really into psychological thrillers and can’t put them down! I read 87 books in 2024 - far surpassing my 55 book goal. I’m also obsessed with true-crime documentaries, and if there’s a Law & Order marathon on, you bet I’m watching, especially if it's SVU.
I’m also probably one of the biggest Swifties you’ll ever meet - seriously, I went to the Eras tour four times, and I’ll definitely sneak in some lyrics if they fit the vibe of a session if you're into that! (Can you find all of the "not-so-hidden" lyrics on this site?!) I also love getting new tattoos of meaningful memories to add to my sleeves.
FAVORITE CLIENTS?
The ones who know healing is messy and still show up anyway.
I’m a sex work-positive, kink-aware therapist who’s all in for racial justice. I'm super passionate about helping clients work through trauma - whether it’s single-incident PTSD, attachment trauma, CPTSD, or anything in between. I love watching clients heal, whether their struggles are related to the LGBTQ experience & they're working through LGBTQ issues or not.
I’ve done a lot of work helping people navigate gender dysphoria & body dysmorphic disorder, explore their gender identity and sexual identity, and supporting transgender folks through their transitions. I see the need for gender-affirming counseling & trauma-informed therapy in today's society and I strive to meet every client where they're at & give them that support.
On top of that, I enjoy working with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem issues, body image struggles, and women’s issues. I love working with clients who are in all relationship structures - monogamy, ENM, & polyamory, it's all cool with me. I can relate to the social and mental challenges that come with all of this, so I offer insight and support from a place of understanding.
WARNING: UNEXPECTED ANIMAL CAMEOS MAY OCCUR.
Remember when I mentioned I'm a fur-mama to four fur-babes?
Well, those fur-babes sure do like to be my co-therapists and join in sessions. You'll likely get to meet Phoenix, my two-year-old golden retriever, Benson and Boonie, my two tuxedo kitties, and you may even get very special guest appearance from Smush, my all-black cat.
