Clifford Bough, LCSW

Clifford Bough is a licensed clinical social worker in New York who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and mood concerns. He also supports those facing addictions, grief, anger, and big life changes. Clifford approaches people with respect and compassion and aims to make the first steps toward change feel manageable.

Clifford uses a mix of practical conversation and structured techniques. He focuses on thoughts and everyday habits to help shift how someone responds to stress and mood swings. Sessions are shaped to fit each person’s needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

His background includes nearly two decades of clinical work across a range of settings. That experience informs how he tailors interventions for things like panic attacks, bipolar symptoms, and co-occurring substance use. He also brings attention to family and communication issues when those problems affect daily life.

In the room Clifford emphasizes collaborative goal-setting and straightforward tools. He draws on cognitive behavioral strategies to change unhelpful thinking and on mindfulness and emotion regulation skills to reduce reactivity. Attachment-informed ideas help explore patterns in relationships and how they influence current behavior.

Clifford communicates plainly and keeps the focus on small, usable changes. He describes therapy as a partnership where the client’s priorities guide the work. People who want coaching-style support alongside clinical care may find his approach useful.

Approaches that shape online sessions

Clifford commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and routines. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and gives simple exercises to try between sessions. He also uses client-centered therapy, which focuses on listening carefully and following the person’s goals so sessions reflect what matters most to them.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Clifford will talk with each person about goals and preferences and adjust methods to fit their needs. The process is collaborative, with the therapist and client choosing tools together and checking progress over time.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so people can use breaks from school or work. It can also let someone focus on skills practice at home and bring real-life situations into discussion without promising any particular format.