Now open for counseling services in Sheboygan, WI.
About Inward Path Counseling
Working in Collaboration to Inspire Change
My Name Is Jessica Clayborn
I work as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training at my private practice, Inward Path Counseling LLC. As a certified yoga instructor and a shareholder in my family’s business, I have almost 10 years of long-term recovery and am in remission from Bipolar Disorder II. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my practice to help others facing similar challenges. I am a mother, wife, sister, and daughter. These are all just labels, and I am just a person.
My Journey
I'm not just a counselor, but someone who has navigated the challenging terrain of mental health and addiction. My journey has been filled with twists and turns, moments of despair, and moments of triumph. It is from this place of lived experience that I invite you into my practice.
Allow me to share a glimpse into my own story. I am someone who has faced the demons of addiction to pain medication, battled the tumultuous waves of Bipolar Disorder II, and struggled with alcoholism. At one point in my journey, these challenges culminated in a nine-day hospitalization at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, an experience that was, to put it lightly, terrifying. Through it all, I found the power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the importance of substance abuse counseling to aid in my recovery.
My Story of Addiction
Looking back, I don’t recall any early symptoms of mental illness, but I know my addiction began when I was 14 years old. Growing up in an alcoholic family, most of whom are now in recovery, I believe my mental health symptoms, particularly those related to Bipolar Disorder II, directly correlated to my addiction. In November of 2012, I abruptly stopped taking all of my pain medication, which led to a feeling of elation. Shortly after that, in February of 2013, I experienced my first psychotic episode.
I had not been sleeping much and was using marijuana to cope with my symptoms. I became fixated on Jesus and prayer. My husband at the time didn’t know how to help and called my mom and sister. I don’t remember much from this time, but they later shared their observations with me.
During this episode, I exhibited flight of ideas, grandiosity, and a fast rate of speech, all symptoms of mania, which lasted for about three days until they finally contacted local law enforcement. I was not a danger to myself or others, but I was definitely not myself. Later, I was told that I lunged towards the officer’s gun, prompting them to make the difficult decision to initiate Chapter 51 proceedings, a choice made out of love and a desperate search for solutions.
I woke up in a cold and dark place, with no sunlight, just bars on the windows, a steel bed frame with a one-inch mattress, and an overworked staff member watching me as I showered, alongside the screams of other patients. I will never forget the glazed-over stares of my fellow patients as they paced the hallways. I was a patient there for nine days, followed by a stay at a crisis stabilization center for three weeks, missing my children every single day.
But my story isn't just about personal struggle; it's about the impact on those around me. My family, particularly my sister and mother, found themselves at a loss, unsure of how to navigate the complexities of my condition and the implications of substance abuse counseling. My father was supportive and caring, while my siblings were concerned and scared, worried that it could happen to them.
Moment of Clarity
After many attempts to get sober and three psychotic episodes, I had a moment of clarity and sought residential treatment. I began to find myself again. Through the dedication of my treatment team, I was properly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II. My last episode was in April of 2015.
I feel it is important to mention my addiction because I believe my substance abuse masked my mental health symptoms. As I became more sober, my symptoms increased, which is not uncommon for people in recovery. Finding the right medication, engaging in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and working the twelve steps of AA helped me in recovery.
What helped me the most were the people I met along the way: the other patients at Winnebago who encouraged me to focus on myself and get better for my family, the staff at treatment who had overcome their addictions too, and the individuals I heard at meetings who shared similar stories. My family's support, along with their own challenges to overcome, provided stories of hope and empathy that greatly aided my journey.
Courage. Connection. Commitment.
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