Clara Varlese Counseling

Clara Varlese is a compassionate and empathetic counselor with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field. She understands that the inherent strengths, resilience, and perseverance of individuals enable them to overcome life's hurdles, regardless of their circumstances. Clara believes that through enhanced self-awareness, utilization of internal strengths, and the cultivation of positive relationships, every person can reach their true potential. She is committed to fostering a safe and judgment-free environment that promotes personal growth. As a queer individual, mother, and child of immigrants, Clara possesses a unique appreciation for adversity and community, which informs her passion for identity exploration, change, and navigating significant life transitions, including break-ups, divorce, coming out, gender affirmation, graduation, marriage, parenthood, new diagnoses, career shifts, and retirement. Her areas of expertise include addressing issues related to depression, anxiety, and self-esteem through a blend of therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma Focused therapy, Eclectic approaches, Humanistic methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal techniques, and Strength-Based strategies. She is particularly well-suited for individuals ready to take proactive steps toward their personal growth and provides referrals for areas beyond her scope.