We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cassandra Clariett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cassandra below.

Cassandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I have had several defining moments in my career, for example, embracing an ideology of only remaining where I am valued and can grow! Secondly, the COIVD-19 Pandemic opened my eyes to traveling social work. Being able to travel as a social worker showed me that I could make almost 220k a year in this field because more and more people in this country were in dyer need of mental health services after they watched their loved ones suffer and die. Lastly, relocating across the country with just my daughter and dog caused my entire thought processes concerning a job to shift, get out the box and STAY OUT OF THE BOX!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I was in elementary school, I always said that I was going to be a Marine Biologist and truthfully, I had no clue what a Marine Biologist was! I can honestly say, my career path changed when my life was altered at the age of ten. I woke up one day and my mother was packing the house and told us that we were moving; however, my father was not there on another Saturday morning. In that moment, I was confused and worried about leaving the house without him knowing, or did he know? From there, my mental and emotional health deteriorated over a span of six years.

The best way for me to tell my story is by using a timeline. At the age of 11, I got high for the first time. At the age of 12, I was smoking marijuana daily, lost my virginity, started having issues with controlling my anger outbursts, and I was expelled from school for the first time. At the age of 13, I started snorting cocaine, going to night clubs, became extremely violent with weapons, and was expelled from school for the 2nd school year in a row. At the age of 14, I set-up my first robbery ( I was associated with numerous drug dealers), started selling marijuana, committed my first stabbing, was expelled from school again (for smoking marijuana in front of a coach) but, I stopped snorting cocaine. At the age of 15, I was placed in the 8th grade after being in the 7th grade for 3 years; however, I was not attended school and advised my mother and school administration that I was not going to attend school. At the age of 16 (the defining moment), I confessed death over my life because I could feel that I was about to die. Because I felt like death was about to happen before I reached the age of 18, I started to live more reckless and dangerous. On September 3, 1999, while sitting down smoking a blunt and playing with a boxcutter, I started fighting a girl who was walking by. During the fight, I never dropped the boxcutter; therefore, she was stabbed in her neck, left breast, shoulder, and face. After being on the run for 24hrs, I was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, the charges were later upgraded to Attempted Murder. I was ultimately sentenced to 6-9 months at St. Peter’s Home for Children where I begin daily individual and group therapy. It was at that time that I realized, my behaviors were directly linked to various childhood traumas and my father abruptly leaving the home. After returning back to the community at 17 years old and being court ordered to obtain a G.E.D. while on house arrest, I knew that I wanted to help other children realize the “why” behind their behaviors.

Since 2009, I have been providing therapy to children and adults across multiple states. I have had the opportunity of leading clinical teams of counselors, discharge planners, social workers, and other mental health professionals.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Researching, getting myself credentialed for my practice and at least two other platforms, and lots of patience. In addition, securing and working high paying travel contracts as referrals come in. My practice, Life Strategies Behavioral Health, has been open since March 2021 and since then, I have contracted out two Licensed Master Social Workers who have allowed for more clients to be seen while I hold the responsibility of taking care of the associated administrative tasks on their behalf. This combination of things continues to help my practice thrive and grow.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I will always choose Mental Health, end of question!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/cassandra-clariett/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cassandra-clariett-lcsw-tn-lmsw-az-302a42156

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