Clark Rector PsyD
Education
BA in Psychology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
PsyD in Psychology, The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA
Services Offered
Clark conducts therapy for individuals, couples, and families, and is LGBTQ+ friendly. Clark also specializes in Complex PTSD, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB’s), and Addiction recovery.
Theoretical Orientation
Clark uses an integrative theoretical approach, incorporating Buddhist psychology, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral psychology (including DBT and ACT), mindfulness and compassion training, and psychodynamic theory. He enjoys working with a variety of people including those in recovery from addiction. Clark believes that while pain is inevitable in life, it is our resistance to pain (also known as "the second arrow") that causes suffering. Fortunately, by increasing our awareness of the ways in which we mentally resist things, we have the opportunity to reduce the amount of time spent suffering. Clark has been influenced by the writings and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Ajahn Brahm, Kristen Neff, Pete Walker, Bessel Van Der Kolk, Tara Brach, Desmond Tutu, Daniel Siegel, John and Julie Gottmann, Donald Nathanson, and others.
More Information
Clark integrates several contemporary psychotherapeutic approaches to help his clients with a variety of challenges. He is influenced by compassion-focused therapy, Buddhist psychology, mindfulness training. parts work/Internal Family System (IFS), motivational interviewing, harm reduction for addiction, psychodynamic theory including self-psychology, working with metaphors, and affect theory. Of all the human affects (the biological portion of emotion), Clark believes understanding shame, fear, and joy are probably the three most important. Clark looks for opportunities to use experiential learning in session (e.g., mindfulness and compassion training). Clark has received training in treating Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) behaviorally. He is also influenced by ecopsychology, and believes the effects of geopolitical events can create significant stress and trauma. Clark is interested in the modern sciences in general and has a background in wildlife biology. He is informed about human attachment and is dedicated to continuing to improve his understanding and treatment of psychological trauma. He has not found it helpful to differentiate between so-called “big T trauma” and “small t trauma” – rather, he believes that all of us have experienced deep challenges and traumas in our lives, regardless of psychological and socioeconomic factors. Clark strives to build strong working alliances with his clients and with all staff members, and works hard to facilitate good client experiences in therapy. His dissertation was titled “Shame and Stigma in Psychotherapy – A Quantitative Investigation”, in which he studied the relationship between stigma and shame and asked 283 participants about their experiences in therapy. Clark is not an expert in LGBTQ+ issues but is LGBTQ+ friendly.
Ages Served
15-17, 18-64, 65+
Specialties
Autism Spectrum Disorder - Adult, Autism Spectrum Disorder - Teens, Bipolar Disorder , PTSD, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Anger Management, Stress Management, Depression, OCD , Addictions, Anxiety/Fears/Phobia/Panic Attacks, ADHD
Gender
Male
Languages
English
Locations