Dr. Courtney Clarke is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Dr. Clarke earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colgate University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She trained at sites including Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, MedStar Georgetown University WISE Center, and Loudoun Psychological Services. Dr. Clarke has provided individual and group therapy, as well as diagnostic assessments, across a variety of settings, including hospitals, elementary schools, and private practices. Dr. Clarke frequently works as part of a multidisciplinary team to optimize treatment outcomes and provide well-rounded care.

Dr. Clarke has particular proficiency in using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety disorders and OCD in children, adolescents, and adults and in conducting sensory-based feeding interventions for children with food refusal and ARFID. In addition to CBT, Dr. Clarke integrates components of other evidence-based practices, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Throughout treatment, Dr. Clarke helps patients identify roadblocks and focuses on the practical application of skills to help them push past these roadblocks and maintain progress outside of treatment. Dr. Clarke employs a direct and collaborative style and believes in a creative approach to solving problems. Dr. Clarke’s goal is to create a unique and personalized toolkit to address current and future needs. For child patients, she also frequently conducts parent skills training to round out therapy and help parents develop the toolkit to reinforce behaviors in the home setting.

Dr. Clarke’s research interests include anxiety/OCD and feeding/eating disorders, and she has given professional presentations on the development of emotions during healthy adolescence versus adolescents with anorexia nervosa, as well as obesity and body image issues across racial/ethnic groups.

Dr. Clarke is a member of several professional organizations, including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the American Psychological Association.