ABOUT ME

Germaine M. Clarno, LCSW, CADC

I earned my Bachelor degree in Sociology with an Emphasis in Social Work from Western Illinois University and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Aurora University. I am also a certified AODA substance abuse counselor. I have experience working with adolescents and adults, military individuals and families, in a community mental health setting as well as a background working in hospitals, residential facilities, and inpatient and outpatient substance abuse.

PHILOSOPHY

I bring a compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy where the goal is to help individuals develop the skills needed to lead happy and productive lives. I work from a strengths-based systems framework and incorporate techniques such as solution focused, family systems and cognitive behavioral therapies.

I have a way of making clients feel comfortable and at ease. Your initial visit will be welcoming and will include an open discussion on ways you and I can work together to achieve your individual goals.

Why did I become a counselor?

I love helping people. It’s my goal that each and every client leaves a session feeling better than when they came in.

What do I like most about my job?

Lives change when we see our personal strengths and assets, I help guide that process so that my clients can see they are the experts in their lives and the solutions are within their reach. I get to see the joy when a client discovers a new way to think or live. It is the best job in the world!

What makes me an exceptional counselor?

I have been given the gift of life experiences that enable me to assist others with empathy and understanding. I think of myself as a tour guide, you have to be familiar with the area before you can guide others. My journey has given me the skills and tools to help my clients explore and understand their own world in order to discover better ways of thinking and living.

What is the most challenging part of my job?

Participating in counseling can help make individuals feel better, but it’s important to know that the journey can sometimes be bumpy. It can be difficult for me to witness my clients moving through pain, even though I know the experience will provide valuable results.