Clara Bossie LMFT-QS

Clara has over 25 years of working with OCD and related disorders as an educator and a counselor. Clara transitioned from education to counseling in 2007, consistently managing a caseload where over 60% report OCD, ASD, and related symptoms. As awareness has expanded, so has this percentage, establishing OCD and related disorders as a practice specialty. To cater to this growing clientele, a myriad of services is extended, including psychoeducation, mindfulness self-compassion groups, exposure therapy, family accommodation therapy, EMDR, and both DBT and RO-DBT, ensuring comprehensive and tailored support for each individual navigating OCD and associated disorders in her practice.

Clara addresses various diagnoses often co-occurring with OCD, such as ADHD, ASD, learning / intellectual disabilities, substance use, dysmorphia, eating disorders, and C-PTSD; also addressing life challenges (i.e., parenting, marriage, career, and loss.) Navigating the treatment of co-occurring disorders with OCD, Clara facilitates collaborative treatment planning through comprehensive intake and assessment informed by a systemic and dialectical framework. Tailoring to each unique diagnosis and plan, She employs diverse approaches, including DBT, Family Systems, ERP, Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, EMDR, Creative Expressive Therapy, Mindfulness Self-Compassion, and Psychoeducation, ensuring holistic, multifaceted care for every individual’s distinct needs.

Over 25 years of educating, treating, and designing inclusive programs for OCD and related disorders in schools and counseling settings. During this time, attending countless trainings, from sensory processing, neurobiology, family accommodation, exposure, mindfulness, and behavior modification.
Education:
Ph.D. Student, Counselor Education, FAU
MS, CMHC with Marriage Family Counseling, PBA
BS, Exceptional Child Education, Mental Handicaps K-12, UCF
Certifications:
Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (PE), CTSA at UPenn
Mindfulness Self-Compassion (MSC) Teacher, CMSC
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), IAEDP
DBT Intensively Trained Therapist, B-Tech
EMDR, EMDRIA
Certified Addictionologist, C.Ad., ACACD
Local Education Agency Representative & Placement Specialist (LEA Rep), FL DOE

In my career in exceptional student education and counseling, I’ve worked across a vast cultural landscape. Each educational institution enhancing my undergrad, graduate, and doctoral education emphasized rich coursework and field experiences in cultural competency, diversity, inclusion, and equity. My studies in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness Self-Compassion bolster self-reflective practices, which are crucial for expanding cultural humility. This foundation is key to fostering safe, welcoming relationships, ensuring I approach every individual with respect, understanding, and consideration for their unique cultural context, ultimately enhancing the therapeutic experience and outcomes for the diverse populations I am privileged to serve.