Who is Dr. DeMarquis Clarke?
I am Dr. DeMarquis Clarke, LMFT. I grew up on the west side of Jackson, Mississippi, parented by two amazing people who instilled in me many essential survival skills, one of which being the value to social justice. So, I have dedicated my life to fighting for issues of equality and social justice. My dedication and passion show up in everything I do and in all parts of who I am.
I am a clinician, professor, entrepreneur, executive coach, clinical consultant and humanitarian. I am the owner and CEO of the Center for Relational Change, a group therapy practice. I also maintain an active private practice, and have over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families. In addition to my practices, I am the program director and a tenured Associate Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Seton Hill University. I have over 15 years of experience teaching and supervising. Plus, I have done countless hours of community outreach with organizations connected to issues ranging from fighting against sex trafficking, racial discrimination, bullying and poverty, as well as working for marriage equality and gay rights.
But, at the end of the day, I’m just a country boy from the west side of Jackson, Mississippi trying to make a difference in the world.
Specialties
- Couple/marital therapy
- Sexual abuse and trauma recovery
- Working with adolescents
- Working with issues of religion/spirituality, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation
Services
- Grief and Loss
- Emotional distress
- Gender identity
- Communication struggles
- Childhood trauma
- Racial or ethnic struggles
- ….and more.
Group Therapies
- Adult Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Grief and Loss Support Group
- Self-esteem Support Group
Awards
- Passion Meets The Road Awards’ 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year
My Credentials.
Academic Degrees
- Doctor of Philosophy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Syracuse University
- Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Southern Mississippi
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Tougaloo College
Academic post
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Program Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Seton Hill University
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Tenured Associate Professor in Marriage and Family Therapy, Seton Hill University
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Adjunct Professor in Counseling Education, Northeastern Illinois University
Professional Membership
- International Family Therapy Association
- Clinical Fellow Member of American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Clinical Fellow Member of Pennsylvania Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
License
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clinical Experience
Over 20 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups at mental health agencies and practices in Mississippi, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
What Others Say
Testimonials
“I began counseling with Dr. DeMarquis Clarke during a very dark period, when my life was in major crisis. I thought I knew myself and understood my problems. However, thanks to the incredible insight and clinical skills of Dr. Clarke, I quickly came to realize that the true issues were yet to be discovered. With Dr. Clarke’s adept guidance, I have embarked upon a path of self-discovery that has profoundly impacted my life. Over the course of our therapeutic work, Dr. Clarke has facilitated a trustworthy, reliable, professional relationship. He listens with immense insight and compassion. He communicates extremely effectively. He challenges me to face the most difficult issues and take direct responsibility for my life. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for my work with Dr. Clarke, my marriage would have ended very badly, my parenting would have suffered greatly and I would be an angry, distrustful person without the skills to build a healthy life. Dr. DeMarquis Clarke is an outstanding clinician.”
“He helped us more than he will ever know. Me and my husband were on the brink of divorce when we went to see Marq. He helped us learn how to communicate, value, respect, and love one another again. It was a pleasure working with him. He saved our marriage.”
“Dr. Clarke is a wonderful therapist. He helped me work through long standing issues of abandonment and neglect. Because I grew up without parents, therapy sessions felt both like what I assume the nurturing of a mother and the challenges of a father would feel. Both of which were needed for my long-term growth.”
“I write these words as a way of expressing our deep and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Clarke for what he’s helped us accomplish for ourselves and our relationship. He provided a space for me and my partner to have an opportunity to escape our own trials, and build a new relationship of trust, safety and enduring love.”
“Dr. D. is a cool counselor. He helped me with abuse issues I had been struggling with for years. He supported me when I was struggling to love myself and pushed me to see the ways I beat up on myself.”
“My marriage was in deep trouble, when we were referred to DeMarquis Clarke for assistance with our relationship problems. I can say that Mark has been instrumental in saving our marriage, helping us solve the problems that existed and showing us the destructive behavior that we were both exhibiting. I find Mark to be a good listener while being non-judgmental. His clinical skills allow him to be insightful in his approach in uncovering the deep rooted issues in a relationship. He is always asking the right questions. After helping us through our initial concerns, my wife and I have continued working with Mark to fine tune our relationship, as well as separately to work to be better individuals.”
“I didn’t expect the sessions Marq and I had would have such long lasting life changing effects, but it has. I feel like a different person. He was able to help me uncover how my emotions were being formed and showed me how disruptive they were being in how I saw myself and my relationships with family and friends.”
“Marq, Marq, Marq… I initially thought I was going to counseling because my girlfriend wanted me to work on communication issues. I never thought I would leave realizing those very communication issues came from my own insecurities, the way I viewed women, and issues with not having a father growing up. Marq has a way of supporting and challenging you to figure out your own life. He helped me with deep seeded issues I thought were dead and buried.”
“Dr. Clarke created our therapy sessions to be a space where I feel safe telling him what is going on with me. When I initially started working with him, I was experiencing lots of anxiety along with self-esteem struggles. Because of his support at showing me my strengths and gentle challenges, my self-esteem has improved and my anxiety has lessened dramatically. He has helped me to become the stronger, more capable individual that he has been seen in me all along.”
“My work with Dr. Clarke has literally changed my life. Events from my past changed me into someone I was not comfortable being. With Dr. Clarke’s help, I have been able to rediscover who I am and who I want to continue to become.”