Cedrick Gooden is a counselor with extensive experience in both clinical and leadership roles supporting individuals and families. His background includes positions such as Site Supervisor for a Before and After School Program, Direct Care Mentor, Group Home Manager, Prevention Specialist, Clinical Supervisor, and Therapist. Over the course of his career, he has worked with children, adolescents, adults, individuals with severe mental illness, people with substance use disorders, and underserved populations experiencing housing instability and other complex challenges.

Cedrick has experience across outpatient, residential, and school-based settings in both urban and rural communities. These diverse environments have shaped his flexible, person-centered approach to therapy. He believes there is no one-size-fits-all path to healing and works to tailor his approach to each person’s goals, needs, and cultural background, with a strong emphasis on trust, respect, and genuine connection.

His clinical focus includes mental health, substance use, youth and family support, and crisis intervention. Cedrick utilizes evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Reality Therapy (RT) to help clients build practical skills and move toward meaningful change.

He earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Cedrick believes healing happens when people are met with consistency, honesty, and support without judgment, and he works to create a collaborative space where clients feel both supported and empowered.

Outside of work, Cedrick enjoys hiking, cooking, amusement parks, traveling, and spending time with his family and French Bulldog. He also has a strong appreciation for creativity and self-expression through all forms of art.

One quote that strongly reflects Cedrick’s approach to counseling comes from Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”