Bobbi Cleary , LPC

Bobbi Cleary approaches counseling with a holistic view of health, seeing emotional and mental wellness as essential to overall balance. She finds meaning in teaching practical tools and watching clients put those tools to use, and she centers empowerment as a pathway to healing, peace, and renewed joy. Her work is intentionally tailored to each person because she believes no two people are wired the same. In practice she describes her style as eclectic - drawing from different methods to meet a client or couple where they are and to address specific goals or challenges. She integrates reflective Rogerian listening, cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness, self-compassion, self-regulation techniques, and Gottman-informed work to build connection and create a space for growth.

Cleary earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University in 2005 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a state-licensed mental health professional. Her clinical background includes work in psychiatric inpatient and residential settings where she conducted group, family, and individual therapies as well as intake assessments. She has also practiced in outpatient agencies and private practice. Earlier, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Studies with a minor in French at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1998 and lived in Japan for a combined two years, an experience that deepened her interest in cultural influences on behavior and language.

Raised in Homer, Alaska, she often uses a local coastal metaphor to describe change - like the waters of Kachemak Bay, human emotions move through stormy and calm periods, and calmer waters eventually return to shore.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Care

Cognitive-behavioral techniques focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. These practical strategies are often used to address anxiety, stress, and mood concerns by helping clients build coping skills and reframe maladaptive thinking.

Mindfulness-based practices encourage present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental attention to thoughts and sensations. This approach can reduce reactivity, improve emotion regulation, and support greater self-compassion during times of distress.

The Gottman-informed work that she integrates offers structured skills for improving communication and connection in relationships, making it useful for couples seeking clearer understanding and more effective conflict resolution.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. She collaborates with each person or couple to determine which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to attend sessions from different locations. These formats allow licensed professionals to deliver consistent, ongoing care while fitting therapy into a client's life with fewer logistical barriers.