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

Clayton, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

While pursuing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I took a play therapy class that became a defining moment in my career. For one assignment, we were tasked with leading play therapy sessions with children. My professor encouraged us to think outside the box and allowed us to adjust the assignment if we had a creative idea.

As I reflected on the age ranges for therapy, I noticed that while play therapy works well for children ages 3 to 12, and talk therapy is effective for adults, there seemed to be a gap for adolescents aged 12 to 17—despite the importance of this developmental stage. Inspired by this, I proposed using the principles of play therapy in a skatepark setting to create “skate therapy” for teens. My professor supported the idea, and I moved forward with the project.

The experience was transformative. I bonded with adolescents in a way that I was unable to do in the clinical setting and our conversations drew on metaphors from skateboarding together rather than abstract conversations. My professor encouraged me to turn the concept into a formal research study, which eventually got published. That publication marked the beginning of my career in skate therapy—an unexpected but deeply fulfilling path that has since shaped my professional life.

What began as a playful idea has evolved into a career that continues to grow today.

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

I first went to therapy at 15, sent by my parents as a last-ditch effort after a school suspension. I remember walking up to the office, seeing the word “psychotherapy” on the door, and, not knowing any better, shouting, “Psychotherapy? I’m not a psycho! You guys are the psychos!” At the time, I had no idea what psychotherapy even meant. To me, it was just another term that reinforced the feeling that something was wrong with me—that I was in trouble.

Needless to say, therapy didn’t go well. I stormed out before finishing the first session. Years later, I returned to therapy as an adult and found it incredibly helpful. I learned mindfulness techniques, identified emotions I’d spent years avoiding, and began practicing self-compassion—something I had never done before. That experience helped me see the true value of therapy, and it inspired me to become a therapist myself.

While pursuing my therapy license in graduate school, I realized how little the field had evolved to meet the needs of teens. The doors still said “psychotherapy,” therapists still sat there holding clipboards, asking questions that felt accusatory, and there was little invitation for teens to contribute to the experience. That’s when I decided to create a practice that actually connects with kids. Instead of a traditional office, I began meeting them at the skatepark. Our sessions don’t just revolve around skating; we also incorporate activities that encourage self-reflection, foster a growth mindset, and help kids identify their emotions.

As my practice has grown, I’ve started taking clients birdwatching as well, which creates opportunities for mindfulness and an appreciation of the natural world. It’s been incredible to see how these environments bring a sense of ease and magic that a traditional clinical setting just can’t provide.

After about a year of leading skate therapy and nature based therapy sessions, I expanded into the professional skateboarding world, offering mental health support to pro skateboarders who value working with someone who understands and integrates their culture into therapy.

Today, I split my time between one-on-one client sessions and training summer camps, educational centers, and therapists on how to better engage adolescents in their programs.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

One of the most helpful things for succeeding in my field has been consistently examining both my work and my life. Since starting my business, I’ve stayed committed to attending my own therapy and I meet regularly with a licensed therapist supervisor.

In these supervision sessions, I explore where I’m stuck in my work, discuss my insecurities, explain the choices I make, and seek direct feedback.

I also make time each day to reflect on my work through journaling and meditation. When journaling, I almost interrogate my work—while being kind to myself. If a client ghosts me or I leave a session feeling uneasy, I try to examine my work as if it were someone else’s. I ask myself questions like, “In what ways was I being authentically me, and in what ways was I performing a tired idea of a therapist?” or “How did my self-doubt show up in this session?” or “What can I learn from this session?” This practice helps me stay curious and maintain a growth mindset.

Meditation, in particular, is crucial because it helps me stay grounded and centered. It allows me to clear mental clutter and let go of harsh self-talk, so I can approach my work from a place of calm and presence. This practice has helped me loosen the grip of my thoughts and stay connected to my own emotional landscape, which, in turn, makes me more present and empathetic with my clients. It’s been an invaluable tool that enables me to see my work as an ever-evolving process.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When I first started my therapy practice, I was full of self-doubt. I was venturing into uncharted territory, unsure how people would respond or whether I would be able to attract enough clients to keep the practice going. I even feared that I might have to abandon my approach and work at an agency that wouldn’t support my alternative, creative methods. I remember telling my therapist that I was considering taking out a loan to pay for an expensive service that promised to build my caseload. He told me something that has stuck with me and proven to be true: “All you need to do is get into the hearts of others, and your practice will naturally grow.”

Now that my practice is full and has a waitlist, I can see that he was right. Only about two of my clients have come from advertising, while the vast majority have come from word-of-mouth referrals. The more I invest in developing authentic, meaningful relationships with my clients, the more clients I attract. Ultimately, I believe the quality of care I offer and the genuine connections I foster with my clients are the primary reasons my business has grown.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://skate-therapy.com
• Instagram: skate_therapy