As part of our GoodTherapy Member Spotlight series, we spoke with Dr. Glenda Clare, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and addiction counselor based in Durham, North Carolina.
Dr. Clare brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with individuals, families, and groups. With specializations in family relationships, life transitions, grief and bereavement, and addiction counseling, she creates a warm, nonjudgmental partnership with her clients. Her philosophy is simple: “We all got issues” — and therapy is a safe place to work through them together. In this interview, Dr. Clare offers practical advice on starting therapy, finding the right therapeutic fit, and what makes a successful counseling relationship.
This series highlights therapists who are eager to offer insight into the therapy experience and share valuable perspectives on how to make mental health care more approachable and authentic. Read below to learn more about Dr. Clare’s approach.
LIVE INTERVIEW: Watch the Conversation with Dr. Glenda Clare
Q&A with Dr. Glenda Clare
Q: What would you say to someone who’s never been to therapy before and is curious about what happens in the first therapy session?
Dr. Clare:
When I think about the first session for someone who is starting therapy, I want them to know that therapy is a safe place. It’s a place where they can come, they can be themselves, they can share with someone that’s not going to judge them.
During that first session, we’re essentially setting the parameters for what will happen after. When I have my first session [with a client], I’m generally going over some things that they need to know: the sessions are confidential [and] I’m there to listen to them and to guide them. They need to know that essentially this is their therapy, so they also are setting some boundaries in terms of what they do and do not want to discuss.
There are some times when I can’t keep everything confidential — if you’re going to hurt yourself or if you’re going to hurt someone else. During those times, I will not be able to keep this confidential.
Q: How does therapy help if someone feels like something’s off, but they can’t quite put their finger on it?
Dr. Clare:
We all got issues. There are times in everyone’s lives where things aren’t quite the way we think that they should be. It’s during those time periods that it’s okay to enter into therapy.
Therapy is a place where you will be safe. No one’s going to be sharing your business. No one is going to be judging you. They are going to take that time with you to say, well, maybe there is something to that, that we need to examine. And you know what? That’s a good thing. Change happens when you first acknowledge that there’s a need for change, and then you do something about it. Going to therapy is that first step in doing something about it.
Q: Why is it important for people to find therapists who understand them?
Dr. Clare:
Let’s be honest. Everybody is not your person. You don’t need to be dealing with the people who are clueless about your situation, about who you are, about what you are striving to do.
It is okay to screen therapists. I have 15-minute consultation sessions so people can see, do we click or don’t we click?
It’s important to do that. And even after that 15 minutes, say you’ve been meeting with somebody for a couple of weeks and you’re still not quite sure that they’re kind of getting it, then you can change.
However, don’t decide you don’t like somebody because they’re challenging you. That’s part of therapy. They should be challenging you to get out of your comfort zone.
We have what’s called the therapeutic alliance. It’s a relationship between the client and the therapist. During those first few consultation sessions, you are interviewing them, and they are interviewing you. You are interviewing them to see if you believe that you click with each other. The therapist is also going to be doing the dance of, is this a topic that I think that I can be helpful to the client about?
Q: What is your therapy approach, and what is different about the way you work with clients?
Dr. Clare:
My philosophy is that we all got issues. We are to figure out what you need and to provide the resources that you need so that you can enhance your wellness, not mine.
So this is a partnership. There may be some directions that I think might be good for you to go in and you may have another thought. It’s about you and me working with you to give you what you need so that you can get better.
Q: From your experience, what are the signs of a good client-therapist match?
Dr. Clare:
I have learned that emotions are key. When I’ve got a good fit with a client, there are days when we cry together. There are days when we laugh together. So we can have a combination of the two of those things.
The bottom line is that you get it, that you have AHA moments, that you know that you’re just feeling safe with that person.
Finding Your Path to Wellness
Dr. Glenda Clare’s approach to therapy embodies the core values of GoodTherapy: creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces where clients can explore their challenges and work toward meaningful change. Whether you’re navigating family relationships, life transitions, grief, or addiction recovery, therapy offers a partnership where your voice matters and your wellness is the priority.
Ready to start your therapy journey? Explore GoodTherapy’s directory to find licensed therapists and counselors who specialize in the areas that matter most to you. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or simply feel like something’s off, compassionate, qualified mental health professionals are here to help you find clarity and move forward.
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Learn more about Dr. Glenda Clare and her practice on her GoodTherapy profile.
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