Mary Clark

With a career spanning over three decades in mental health, Mary Clark, M.S., LPC-S, NCC, has dedicated her life to helping individuals navigate the complexities of mental health challenges. Her journey began in 1988 as a mental health behavioral aide at Southeastern Psychiatric Hospital in Gadsden, Alabama, where she discovered her passion for assisting patients and families struggling with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

Driven by her desire to make a greater impact, Mary pursued her Master's in Mental Health Counseling, enabling her to serve as a Cognitive Behavioral therapist in the hospital setting. This experience allowed her to work alongside psychiatrists and nurses, embracing the medical model of clinical care as part of a collaborative treatment team. Her dedication to understanding and treating complex mental health issues laid the foundation for her diverse and impactful career.

Mary's professional path has taken her through various roles, each contributing to her comprehensive approach to mental health care. She has worked as a therapeutic foster care caseworker and later as the Program Coordinator for the Child and Adolescent Assessment Center and Independent Living Program in Piedmont, Alabama. These experiences honed her skills in working with young people and families facing challenging circumstances.

In the academic realm, Mary spent nearly a decade (2007-2016) as a counselor at Jacksonville State University, providing individual counseling to students, faculty, and staff. She also served as an advisor with the Active Minds Association, demonstrating her commitment to mental health awareness and education in academic settings. Her expertise in higher education counseling led to her appointment as the Associate Director of the EAP Program at the University of Mississippi, where she not only provided counseling services but also established policies and procedures for program administration.

Currently, Mary brings her wealth of experience to the Samaritan Counseling Center as a Licensed Professional Supervising Counselor. Her academic background, which includes a BS in Biological Sciences and an MS in Community Agency Counseling from Jacksonville State University, provides a strong scientific foundation for her practice. Mary's approach is characterized by her ability to work with a diverse clientele, including adolescents (15 and up), adults, and couples. She is particularly adept at addressing symptoms of mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders, as well as identity issues.

Mary's sensitivity to multicultural diversity and her ability to meet the needs of a wide range of clients make her a valuable asset to the mental health community. Her extensive experience in various settings - from psychiatric hospitals to university campuses - has given her a unique perspective on mental health care that combines clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the human experience. Whether working with individuals facing life transitions, couples navigating relationship challenges, or adolescents grappling with identity formation, Mary Clark brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and practical skills to help her clients achieve mental wellness and personal growth.