About Justin Pere, LMHC, CST, CGT
Justin Pere is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Sex Therapist (CST), and a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) in Seattle, Washington. With over 22 years of experience in counseling individuals, couples, and groups, he is the owner and lead therapist at Clarity Counseling Seattle. His approach is described as affirming, direct, and non-shaming.
Why Choose Justin Pere?
Justin's expertise is built on a rare combination of credentials. He integrates his extensive training in sex therapy and Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help individuals and couples build healthier relationships. He understands that genuine connection is built on both communication and intimacy, and his work directly addresses both. As a board-approved supervisor, he also mentors other therapists, a testament to the trust and respect he has earned from his peers.
Specializations and Areas of Focus
Justin Pere's work centers on helping individuals and couples with relationship and intimacy issues. His main areas of focus include:
- Sex Therapy & Intimacy: He helps clients with low or no sexual desire, sexual dysfunctions, intimacy concerns, and infidelity. He is also a sex-positive and LGBTQIA+ affirming practitioner.
- Relationship Counseling: Pere works with couples, polycules, and individuals to improve emotional connection, communication, and overall relationship health. He is a Certified Gottman Therapist, specializing in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
- Men's Issues: A significant focus of his practice is on men's mental health, addressing challenges such as relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Trauma: He has experience with betrayal trauma and uses therapeutic modalities such as EMDR.
Credentials and Experience
Justin Pere has over two decades of experience and has accumulated over 10,000 hours of counseling. He has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Seattle University and holds several key certifications:
- Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through AASECT
- Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) through the Gottman Institute
- Certified Integrated Intimacy Practitioner (CIIP) through the Northwest Institute on Intimacy
- Approved Supervisor in the State of Washington
Beyond his private practice, Justin has been a board member of the Seattle Counselors Association and currently serves on the board of the Northwest Institute on Intimacy. He was also hired by The Gottman Institute to consult on matters of sex and sexuality, a recognition of his specialized expertise.
In the Media: Expert Contributions
Justin Pere's expertise has been featured in a variety of articles, podcasts, and television segments.
Articles
- The New York Times: Quoted on the topic of "mankeeping" and the emotional labor women undertake in relationships.
- GQ Magazine: Contributed to an article on competitive friendships.
The Gottman Institute
Justin is a contributing writer for The Gottman Institute, with articles including:
- Emotional Intelligence in Relationships
- Why Men Struggle with Close Connections
- What Is Love Bombing?
- Contemplating Entering Into Sex Therapy
Podcasts & Videos
- Therapy4Dads: Appeared on an episode to discuss the Gottman Method and its application to fatherhood.
- PracticeCare: Growing from a solo practice to a successful group of 15+ years
Komo News
Justin participated in a series of interviews with John Colucci at Komo News, covering topics such as:
- Collective Grief during COVID
- Managing Anxiety & Depression During Uncertainty
- Supporting Recovery from Addiction
- Navigating Mental Health Treatment Options
- Everyday Strategies to Manage Anxiety and Depression
- How to Emerge Stronger From Uncertainty
- Coping with Anxiety During Uncertainty
Ready to Take the Next Step?
After learning about Justin’s expertise and approach, you may be ready to start your own journey toward healing and growth. The first step can be the most challenging, but it's also the most rewarding. We welcome you to request an appointment with Justin or one of our Clarity Counseling Seattle therapists today!