Adam Clevenger, MA, LPCC-S, CST, CSTS
CLINICAL COUNSELOR, SUPERVISOR, & SEX THERAPIST
I (pronouns: they/he) work to build a genuine relationship with my clients, emphasizing teamwork and encouraging your active participation in the counseling process. I trust you as the ‘expert’ with the lived experience to help identify realistic solutions to life’s challenges. Using an integrative approach to counseling, I will help you harness inner strengths and self-compassion, while instilling hope and self-confidence to overcome obstacles impacting your personal growth and wellness. I rely on attachment theory and sex-positive frameworks in my work, and most frequently utilize the tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), as well as Interpersonal and Feminist therapies to guide the therapeutic process.
As a white, queer, able-bodied person, I will encourage your personal and professional questions, and will strive for transparency and continuous accountability for the ways my own lived experiences impact our relationship and the therapeutic process. I will aim to validate and remain sensitive to the power dynamics, political events, and cultural complexities impacting folx across multiple identities and experiences.
I especially enjoy working with artists, activists, and lifetime students, and enjoy using humor to connect and support change. I’m passionate about providing ethical care to persons with marginalized bodies, identities, and experiences. I enjoy helping others by encouraging their own gender pleasure and queer joy, and I’m committed to the shared development of anti-racist values and co-conspirator action among other folx who experience white skin privilege.
614-957-0164 ext 101
ADAM@TANDEMCOLUMBUS.COM
Sexual Pleasure, Intimacy, Desire, Arousal, Functioning, & Performance Concerns
LGBTQIA2S+ Identity, “Coming Out”, Community, Families, & Parents
Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors (e.g. sex/porn addiction, compulsive masturbation)
Erotic Lifestyle & Diverse Sexual Interest (Fetish, BDSM, etc.)
Monogamous, Open+, & Polyamorous Relationships (dyads, triads, quads, constellations, polycules, chosen families, etc.)
ADHD & Neurodiversity
Burnout & Vicarious Trauma among activists and helping professionals (e.g. mental health workers, nurses, teachers, etc.)
Range of clinical focus:
I am a mental health counselor, Certified Sex Therapist, and a clinical supervisor. I received my Master of Arts in Counselor Education in 2012 and completed my doctoral candidacy in Counselor Education in 2015 with a specialization in gender and sexuality. Much of my academic interests and research focused on men’s gendered practice of health and wellness, as well as issues relating to gender socialization; LGBTQIA2S+-affirmative practice; and sexual violence prevention. I have presented on these topics at the regional and national level, authored peer-reviewed publications, and developed sexual violence prevention programming for men. I have previous clinical and supervisory experience in grade school, college counseling, and private practice settings, and have really enjoyed my prior work with graduate and professional students.
In 2017, I decided to pursue an academic interest in human sexuality. I received my sexual health certificate in 2017 from the University of Michigan School of Social Work and became an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist in 2018. I am especially passionate about helping individuals overcome obstacles to sexual pleasure and intimacy. I am kink aware, fetish knowledgeable, and passionate about supporting the integration of diverse identities and healthy sexual practice.
I value ongoing training and continuing education. I have recently attended the following workshops:
LGBTQ+ Centered Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Sandra Taylor, PhD, ICEEFT Certified Trainer; Robert Allan, PhD, LMFT, LPC, ICEEFT Certified Trainer, Supervisor, and Therapist. International Center for Excellence in EFT (Atlantic Canada virtual training), October 10, 2023 - April 24, 2022 (55 hours).
“Sex Beyond Binaries: Revisioning Sex Therapy For Everybody”, Lucie Fielding, PhD, MA, LMHC. University of Michigan School of Social Work, June 4, 2023.
“Clinical Strategies for Working with Mixed Desire (Kinky/Vanilla) Relationships”, Stefani Goerlich, PhD. University of Michigan School of Social Work, June 3, 2023.
“Sex Beyond Binaries: Advanced Sexual Attitude Reassessment on Trans Sex & Erotic Embodiment”, Lucie Fielding, PhD, MA, LMHCA, & Alex Iantaffi, PhD, MS, SEP, CST, LMFT. Edges Wellness Center, LLC, September 9-10, 2022.
Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Robert Allan, PhD, LMFT, LPC, ICEEFT Certified Trainer, Supervisor, and Therapist. International Center for Excellence in EFT (Atlantic Canada virtual training), January 21-22, 2022 & February 4-5, 2022 (30 hours).
“Dismantling Racism and White Supremacy: Tools and Strategies to Lead White Accountability Groups in Your Organization”, Kathy Obear, PhD, Beth Yohe, and Rachel Forester. White Privilege Conference 22, The White Privilege Institute, April 7-10, 2021.
Anti-oppression informed practice foundations: Grounding in Theory, Julia D’Agostino, MSW, LISW-S & Dr. Cynthia Tyson, MSW, LSW, National Association of Social Work Ohio Chapter. February 12, 2021.
I am queer/gay, neurodivergent, and nontheist, and I live in a body that is afforded constant reward and protection because of my white skin. I was assigned male at birth (AMAB) and I experience gender privilege in the binary “cis-tem”. For me, gender pleasure is experienced when my pronouns are understood and used interchangeably, and when expanding my gender-neutral vocabulary in creative and affirming ways. I am HIV negative and live in an able body that is ever changing in size but does most of the things I need and want it to do. I grew up in the ‘bible belt’ and continue to benefit today from my ancestors’ complicit racism and centuries of settler/colonial violence on Turtle Island (North America). Understanding my white skin privilege to help dismantle what my ancestors started is an imperfect and ongoing process that has required engagement with teachers and mentors like the Embodied Equity Project, the White Privilege Institute, and Chicago ROAR (Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism). I’m a millennial; a theater junky; and I’m kink-oriented. I prefer non-fiction and being outdoors, and I go to my own personal therapy outside of work. I met my artist husband while living in Chicago in 2016. We now live in Columbus with our kid (born 2023), and our two loyal pups, Callie and Baloo.
Personal
Training & Experience
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, E1901569-SUPV, Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapy Board of Ohio, 2019
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, 180.010570, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2016
Licensed Professional Counselor, 1100173, Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapy Board of Ohio, 2012
Licensure
Master of Arts, Counselor Education, College of Education & Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 2012
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology & Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2010
Degrees
Certified Sex Therapist, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), 2018
Sexual Health Certificate, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 2017
Doctoral Candidacy, Counselor Education, The Ohio State University, 2015
