Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbe Barclay.
Hi Abbe, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to help people. I took a “Health Careers” class where we were asked to shadow a professional for a day, and I chose a psychiatric social worker from the list. I spent that day in a hospital, watching someone walk alongside people facing mental health struggles. That experience sparked something in me: the realization that I wanted to become a counselor. I never let go of that goal.
After earning my master’s degree, completing hundreds of hours of supervision clinical hours, and obtaining state licensure, I set out to learn as much as I could. In my twenties, I worked with many different populations—volunteering in agencies, counseling teens, and working with families. Very quickly I realized that what often looked like “teen problems” were actually rooted in deeper family or relationship dynamics. That insight shifted my path toward working with adults, parents, and eventually couples.
I discovered that couples counseling was where I thrived. Unlike individual counseling, it requires a unique set of skills: not only empathy, insight, and communication, but also a deep understanding of family systems, attachment styles, and the way early experiences shape adult relationships. I invested in advanced training and found joy in helping couples rebuild and strengthen their connections.
Then, an unexpected opportunity reshaped my career. While working in a group practice, I was approached by someone running a private practice that specialized in addiction. He needed a marriage counselor on his team and encouraged me to train with Dr. Patrick Carnes, the pioneer in the field of sex addiction treatment. I took the leap. That training—one of the last he offered personally—launched me into work with couples facing sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. In many ways, I didn’t find my specialty—my specialty found me.
Over time, I expanded my work to include not only couples, but also addicts in recovery and the partners who had been deeply hurt. This led me to open Clarity Counseling Center, a practice devoted to helping people and relationships heal from some of the most painful ruptures.
Another important chapter of my journey has been my work with Onsite Workshops, a world-renowned program outside of Nashville known for its experiential therapy intensives. As a contract therapist, I’ve had the privilege of facilitating individual, couples, and group intensives there. Onsite is more than a workplace—it’s a place of both profound healing and personal renewal. The community of therapists, drawn from all over the country, has become like family, and the work continues to inspire and energize me.
Today, I also bring that same intensive model to my own practice, offering tailored healing experiences for individuals and couples who are stuck in patterns that weekly therapy can’t always shift. Whether in my office or at Onsite, I continue to be amazed by the resilience of the human spirit and the profound transformations that can occur when people are given the tools, space, and support to heal.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel very fortunate in that, overall, my career path has been a smooth one. Many doors have opened for me at the right time, and I’ve truly enjoyed every aspect of the work. I’m one of the lucky ones who genuinely looks forward to going to work each day.
That said, the biggest challenge came when I transitioned from working in a group practice to opening my own. It wasn’t something I had planned—it was a quick learning curve I was suddenly thrust into. At first, it felt daunting, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Realizing that I was not only capable of being a therapist, but also of running a practice and a business, was beyond anything I had envisioned for myself.
Another significant transition came during COVID, when everything shifted to telehealth. Like many therapists, I faced a steep learning curve adapting to the technology and new way of connecting. What I didn’t expect was how much of a gift it would become—for both my clients and me. People were home, reflecting deeply on their lives, and many had more time to devote to their healing. My practice became busier than ever, with some clients even requesting multiple sessions a week. What started as a challenge ended up being an incredible opportunity to walk with people through one of the most uncertain seasons of their lives.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Clarity Counseling Center, which I founded, is known for its highly specialized work with sexual addiction, betrayal trauma, and couples recovery under the umbrella of the international and addiction professionals (IITAP) umbrella. Since 2000, I’ve been a member of IITAP, and my work has focused on guiding both individuals and couples through the complex challenges that sexual addiction and infidelity create including betrayal trauma.
What sets me apart is my dual focus: I work not only with those struggling with compulsive sexual behaviors, but also with the partners and couples who are deeply impacted. This includes running men’s recovery groups, where participants address struggles ranging from compulsive pornography use and affairs to cybersex, sexting, or relationship addiction. I also lead partner support groups, which provide a safe space for spouses or partners to find validation, set boundaries, and gain education about addiction and recovery.
In addition to my private practice, I serve as a contract therapist for Onsite Workshops, a nationally recognized program near Nashville that offers intensive psychotherapy using experiential methods. There, and in my own practice, I facilitate customized intensives—1 to 3 day therapy experiences designed to help people move beyond impasses that weekly therapy can’t always resolve. These intensives allow clients to process betrayal, trauma, or long-standing patterns in a safe, concentrated way, often producing breakthroughs that lead to lasting change.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to collaboration. Whether I am working alongside referring therapists, leading groups, or providing intensives, my goal is always the same: to offer a pathway to healing, clarity, and restored connection.covery. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Certified Partner Trauma Therapist ( CPTT) trained directly under Dr. Patrick Carnes,and the
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I experienced a big transition that shaped a lot of who I am. I moved from New Jersey to east Orlando in the 1970s, and to be honest, it was a complete culture shock. Coming from a divorced family and navigating that move as a young teenager wasn’t easy. I developed what I jokingly call my “Jersey”—a strong, confident exterior that helped me adapt, even though underneath it I was covering up plenty of insecurities.
That protective shell also gave me resilience. I was outgoing, social, and eager to find my place. I joined my high school dance team, threw myself into friendships, and loved being part of anything fun and connected. Looking back, those experiences—balancing vulnerability with strength, finding community, and learning how to adapt—laid a foundation for the work I do now, helping others navigate transitions and relationships with courage and authenticity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abbebarclaycounseling.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=abbe%20barclay%20msw%20lmft%20csat%20emdr
