Therapist and Fellow Human
Claycie Gerlt, MSW, LCSW (she/her/hers)
Therapists are people too.
Truth be told, I've sat right where you are, as the client on my own therapy journey. I know firsthand the deep work it takes to make sense of your past, understand yourself at a deeper level, and begin to create new patterns in your life.
I understand there are days when therapy feels like the last thing you want to do, and days when you can't wait to show up and share the changes you're starting to notice.
Wherever you are in the process, you're not alone.
I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri (M-I-Z!) in 2009 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2012. Early in my career, I worked in community and case management settings, where I developed a foundation in trauma-informed care that continues to shape how I work today.
After taking some time away from the field when my children were young, I returned with a clearer sense of the work I felt most drawn to: helping people make sense of their experiences and feel more connected to themselves. Over time, I gained experience in group practice and realized how much I valued working closely with clients in the therapy setting. That ultimately led me to open Shared Journey Therapy, a practice built around the belief that therapy is a collaborative process and meaningful change doesn’t have to be rushed.
Background and Path to Therapy
IIn my work with clients, I draw from a range of approaches rooted in the belief that lasting change happens from the inside out. Together, we might slow down and notice what’s happening in your body, get curious about the different parts of you that show up in your life and relationships, or explore experiences from the past that still feel present today.
My work is informed by somatic principles and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and I am formally trained in EMDR, an evidence-based approach for processing trauma. While I am not formally certified in somatic therapy or IFS, these perspectives deeply inform how I work.
Our sessions may look like processing day to day stressors, getting into deeper work, or a mix of both. Either way, we will work on the hard stuff, but I believe therapy can also be a time for humor, laughter, and the occasional side trail. I love a good pop culture tie-in with therapy!
My Approach
The Heart Behind the Work
At my core, I'm an introvert who loves nothing more than puttering around the house, listening to a good podcast, re-binging a favorite show, or getting lost in a new documentary. I adore a good meal, summer sunshine, and being by the water... a pool works, but a beach is always preferred!
I'm a mom of two and a proud dog mom to Dexter and Bo, my shih-tzus and therapy assistants.
Most importantly, I'm a work in progress, too.
