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Clarence McCray, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Clarence is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

FSA/HSA accepted
4.7 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Clarence. View 17 reviews
Great news, Clarence is accepting new clients!
He is normally fully-booked.
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Illinois

Recent reviews

Testimonial I’ve been in therapy on and off since I was a kid, and over my lifetime I’ve worked with more than 13 therapists. When I found BetterHelp, I was in a really dark place. I was spiraling from pain and grief, deeply depressed, and honestly close to breaking down. I felt tired, overwhelmed, and didn’t know how much more I could carry. I also didn’t have insurance and truly believed therapy was something I couldn’t afford. BetterHelp showed up right when I needed it most. Almost two years later, I have Clarence and he is the best therapist I’ve ever had. He truly listens to me. He asks questions that make me pause and think. He’s honest, intentional, and fully present. He gives me homework, takes time to read my journal entries, and responds with real, thoughtful feedback. Talking to him feels like talking to my brother. I feel safe. I feel seen. I can finally be myself. In our sessions, I can laugh, cry, be frustrated, or even be angry, and he stays calm and grounded the entire time. He prays with me, supports me, and offers guidance that actually helps me move forward. I never feel rushed or dismissed. I genuinely feel like he cares, not just about my progress, but about me as a person. Because of Clarence, I learned how to trust therapy again during a season when I had almost given up. I honestly can’t imagine working with another therapist. Finding Clarence didn’t just help me cope. It helped save me during a season when I truly needed support the most.

Reviewed January 2026

Clarence is very in tune individual excited to help his clients and connect their worries into a smoother route! He’s a great listener and compassionate about his clients feelings making it a trustworthy process, always looking forward to the next session

Reviewed February 2026

More about Clarence

  • 4 years' experience
  • Male
  • LCSW

I am licensed in Illinois with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Grief Anger management Depression Coping with life changes Communication problems Forgiveness Guilt and shame Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Self-love Social anxiety and phobia

Treatment Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Clarence McCray's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1790526879.

  • LCSW · Illinois · 149027144 · Renews November 2027

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.

Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.

Reviews for Clarence McCray

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.7

17 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Recommend Safe Amazing Attentive Calm Easy Support Supportive Understanding

Testimonial I’ve been in therapy on and off since I was a kid, and over my lifetime I’ve worked with more than 13 therapists. When I found BetterHelp, I was in a really dark place. I was spiraling from pain and grief, deeply depressed, and honestly close to breaking down. I felt tired, overwhelmed, and didn’t know how much more I could carry. I also didn’t have insurance and truly believed therapy was something I couldn’t afford. BetterHelp showed up right when I needed it most. Almost two years later, I have Clarence and he is the best therapist I’ve ever had. He truly listens to me. He asks questions that make me pause and think. He’s honest, intentional, and fully present. He gives me homework, takes time to read my journal entries, and responds with real, thoughtful feedback. Talking to him feels like talking to my brother. I feel safe. I feel seen. I can finally be myself. In our sessions, I can laugh, cry, be frustrated, or even be angry, and he stays calm and grounded the entire time. He prays with me, supports me, and offers guidance that actually helps me move forward. I never feel rushed or dismissed. I genuinely feel like he cares, not just about my progress, but about me as a person. Because of Clarence, I learned how to trust therapy again during a season when I had almost given up. I honestly can’t imagine working with another therapist. Finding Clarence didn’t just help me cope. It helped save me during a season when I truly needed support the most.

Reviewed January 2026

Clarence is very in tune individual excited to help his clients and connect their worries into a smoother route! He’s a great listener and compassionate about his clients feelings making it a trustworthy process, always looking forward to the next session

Reviewed February 2026

An exceptional therapist with exceptional expertise

Reviewed December 2025

He was really good at making me feel calm because I was nervous to open up. I left the call smiling and feeling hopeful again.

Reviewed November 2025

I highly recommend Clarence McCray as a therapist. He demonstrates exceptional professionalism, empathy, and genuine care for his clients. Within only a few sessions, I’ve felt a strong sense of trust and connection, as though I’ve known him much longer. His approach fosters comfort, honesty, and real growth. I really feel like I have known him my whole life.

Reviewed November 2025

He makes sure that you are heard, & challenged by his session to push for you to be better as a person

Been very supportive

He is extremely professional. And is amazing at what he does.

Clarence provides a safe and supportive environment for me to share my experience, thoughts, behaviors and experiences.

Clarence is very attentive and caring. Every session I left renewed and ready to tackle my week and my challenges. I feel much better mentally after having had sessions with Clarence. I recommend him.

Clarence is just the kind of therapist my heart and spirit needed

Clarence was very understanding and was always there for me! Very easy to talk to!

I love my sessions with Clarence! He's very personable, funny, know hows to share a laugh but also reel it in when its time to dig deep. I have a tendency to ramble so I greatly appreciate his ability to listen and process the information I share with him. I'm new to therapy and Clarence is my first therapist, it means alot that he goes above and beyond to make sure I'm supported and our sessions are a safe space to do inner work. I've enjoyed my experience since joining BetterHelp and working with Clarence, would 100% recommend to those seeking therapy

I appreciate very much that he meets me where I am, doesn’t rush, and is very kind and flexible and understanding. It really helps a lot not feeling that added pressure that most therapists give

Reviewed March 2025

Clarence is an intentional listener and provides great tools to assist with mental support

Reviewed March 2025

Clarence is an amazing therapist that is very attentive and easy to talk to. He provides great feedback and also provides helpful insight on challenging tasks that I’m facing in my current life

Reviewed March 2025

Great!

Reviewed February 2025

How was your experience with Clarence?

Frequently asked questions

Does Clarence McCray offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Clarence McCray works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Clarence McCray speak?

Clarence McCray speaks English.

How many years of experience does Clarence McCray have?

Clarence McCray has 4 years of experience.

Where is Clarence McCray licensed to practice?

Clarence McCray is licensed to practice in Illinois.

Does Clarence McCray accept FSA/HSA?

Yes, Clarence McCray accepts FSA/HSA meaning you can pay for sessions with your pre-tax healthcare dollars. Every year hundreds of thousands of people use their FSA/HSA to pay for therapy.

Does Clarence McCray accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Clarence McCray does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Clarence McCray offer?

Clarence McCray offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Clarence McCray?

Clarence McCray can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Clarence McCray?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation.

FSA/HSA eligible