Series that features tenants of the Clear Lake Community Center
By Muriel Nelson
Clear Water Therapy provides behavioral health treatment for children, teens, adults and families. Aaron Johnson, a native of Clear Lake, and Carey Hoeft are the husband and wife team who make up Clear Water Therapy. Both practitioners hold Master’s degrees from UW-Stout and are licensed marriage and family therapists and certified in substance abuse counseling. These clinical therapists provide counseling to individuals with diverse types of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, severe stress, different types of abuse and traumas and substance abuse, to list some of their areas of specialization.
Clear Water Therapy was established in 2016 and currently provides mental health counseling to families, couples and individuals in several area counties and communities, including Clear Lake. In-home therapy is the majority of their service delivery, which is especially beneficial to individuals for whom meeting outside the home is a challenge.
Carey and Aaron communicated that different age-groups of people require unique approaches to therapy. For instance, young children who are having a difficult time may show symptoms of stress and anxiety by “acting out”. Therapy designed for them often entails therapeutic play with the therapist. Additionally, family members may be brought into counseling sessions to learn ways to support the child.
Teenagers require a somewhat different approach. The therapist must build a sense of trust and might join in activities that the adolescent enjoys. The basis of a teen’s issues may be from past trauma, including instances that were previously unrecognized. It’s important to help these individuals change unhealthy coping skills to something more positive, perhaps by improved communication and social interaction.
Adult therapy may encompass a broad spectrum of assessment and treatment tools. These processes often lead to developing effective self-care and coping skills. Self-care includes caring for one’s own health as well as social and spiritual components. Both clinicians use a variety of modalities to facilitate change for clients, tailoring their therapeutic techniques for each client.
When it comes to coping, Carey and Aaron suggest we should pay attention to our self-talk (yes, its okay to have that little voice in our heads and we should listen to it!). Being in the presence “of mindfulness” is so important. One way is to relax by simply sitting quietly and being conscious of our breathing. It takes but a few minutes to achieve a level of mindfulness. Another good technique is to take some quiet time for spiritual practice, going for a walk or spending time in nature.
In addition to her other credentials, Carey is a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist. The additional knowledge and skill are helpful in her work to resolve traumas that are stored in the body. Carey also uses Clinical Hypnosis based on need and circumstance, as well as Circle of Security-Informed Attachment Model, Somatic Experiencing, and Motivational Interviewing.
Aaron uses systemic approaches, therapeutic play, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused CBT, Internal Family Systems, and Attachment-based Therapy.
We live in a time when society is realizing that mental health is equally important as physical wellness. In fact, the two are very much interrelated. If a time comes when our mental well-being is challenged, it’s not only okay, but also important to seek professional support. Addressing issues now can prevent a negative effect on our lives in the long-term. The old stigmas surrounding mental health should be a thing of the past and no longer prevent anyone from seeking help.
Many patients are referred by social workers. However, when there are openings Clear Water Therapy accepts private pay patients, some insurances and Medicaid (based on HMO).
Aaron Johnson MS, LMFT, SAC(IT) and Carey Hoeft MS, LMFT, LMT, SAC(IT) have their Clear Water Therapy office at the Clear Lake Area Community Center, Suite 120.
They can be contacted at admin@clearwater-therapy.com or at 715-802-0808.
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