Connect
To Top

Meet Dr. Clockston of Julie Clockston Counseling and SOAR Colorado in Aurora

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr.Clockston.

Dr. Clockston, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey began a long time ago, and my destiny is determined to work with individuals in the community. From childhood, I have always gravitated toward helping others and wanted to be a teacher. As a teen in high school, I was told by my guidance counselor to “take a trade” because I was not college material. My late mother and father always believed in me, and a secure support system is what I believe truly made a world of difference for me. I always had a drive and determination beyond my own comprehension, but due to undiagnosed dyslexia and dyscalculia, I would only go so far. Fast forward; I took a few different trade certifications to which I am incredibly proud of, grateful for and view as beautiful professional attributes. In my own life, I have gravitated toward individuals who are diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities as well as those who are living with mental health diagnosis. I understand what it is to need support. I have dealt with tragedies and traumas that many in the community are dealing with now. I have experienced police brutality, learning disabilities, grief and loss, domestic abuse, and anxiety. I have had a beautiful journey filled with many peaks and some valleys too. I have had the opportunity to be a state-licensed therapeutic foster parent and a developmental disability specialist. Over the last ten years, with the support of my four children, I returned to higher education to earn my Associates degree in Human Services. Once I saw that I could push through the learning barriers that I had once let stop me, I was determined to obtain my social work degree. I went on to earn my Bachelors of Science in Social Work and my Masters of Science in Social Work from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where I graduated with honors. Four days before my Master’s degree commencement, my oldest daughters Masters commencement and my second oldest daughters high school graduation, we lost my mama to a long bout with pulmonary hypertension. In the legacy of what my parents wanted for me and love and passion that I have for people and education, I continued to my doctoral studies in social work. During the last four years, I have worked in a variety of areas and worked to earn my licensed clinical social work designation and my doctor of social work degree. Currently, I am a clinical social worker in private practice working with individuals who are survivors of trauma, psychological abuse, eating disorders, and grief and loss. I am also co-owner of SOAR Colorado, an organization dedicated to the advancement of community accessibility for individuals with a disability diagnosis.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a completely smooth road; however; I consider myself extremely blessed in spite of life’s challenges. Having traumatic challenges of my own has opened my heart and my eyes to the struggles of others. I have gained a greater awareness and understanding across a variety of areas. For example, relationally, experiencing domestic violence, which is instrumental in the work that I do now. Having suffered a significant health scare has helped me to understand the connection between medical and psychological trauma. Having lost my parents and other significant loved ones have helped me to find a space working with those experiencing grief and loss. Coming from an often marginalized population, being a black woman presents me with unique experiences that challenge many in society.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Julie Clockston Counseling, SOAR Colorado – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am Dr. Julie Clockston, LCSW, the founder of Julie Clockston Counseling LLC DBA Therapy Rocks and Co-founder of SOAR Colorado LLC, an agency for individuals diagnosed with developmental/ intellectual disabilities. I am a Denver, Colorado native. I am the mother of four and consider them to be my greatest gifts in life. I am an off-site field instructor for Bachelors of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and Masters in Social Work (MSW) students. I support students at Arizona State University (ASU) and Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSUD), where I am also an alumna. I had the honor of being the Student Association of Social Workers (SASW) Vice President 2015 during my MSW program. I am the proud recipient of the inaugural 2018 NASW CO Early Career Social Worker Award. Two of this year’s highlights are that I recently earned a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Capella University. Also, I was voted in as the National Association of Social Workers Colorado (NASW Co) President-Elect. I am a member of the Denver Chapter of National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) and a board member of The Association for Successful Parenting (TASP) where I serve on the Education Committee. I am a former Colorado state-licensed therapeutic foster parent, and I have dedicated my career to working in mental health care for 23 years. I have a background in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis on domestic violence from the Community College of Denver. Outside of the scope of my social work designation, I have infused human service into all the work and trades that I have participated in. I have worked in the community as a licensed real estate broker who had a passion for working with socioeconomically marginalized individuals and first time home buyers. I am most professionally proud of my understanding about the importance of mental health and how it is interrelated to all areas of one’s life. I think what sets me apart from other companies and private practices are my niches. I embrace that I am very eclectic. I will meet an individual where they are, I niche my private practice in psychological abuse recovery, eating disorders, and grief and loss. I specialize in a variety of therapeutic modalities, but it is my extensive study and time working with individuals who have experienced trauma and specifically psychological abuse that allows me to provide special care to individuals who have been victimized.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I am a Denver, Colorado native. I love living and working in Colorado. The thing I love most about Denver and Colorado as a whole is the variety. We generally have four seasons. Although I wish spring lasted longer. I love my immediate community and surrounding areas and serving the population in Denver, and Colorado is a beautiful thing for me. Overall think this is home and a great place to reside. The three things I like least are the hardships and displacement of those negatively affected by gentrification in our city, lack of progressive mission regarding family preservation for parents diagnosed with a developmental/intellectual disability (my dissertation topic) and the seemingly widening rush hour traffic timeframe.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Relationship Recipes Podcast Host Kim Knight, LMHC
A Date with Darkness Podcast Host Dr. Natalie Smith
Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority, Inc Gamma Chapter CSU and Michelle Foster, Ph. D

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in