“Water is the element of change and healing.”
- Unknown
What is Coastal Connections Collective?
Courtney has always been a gatherer of people - through social, educational, and professional relationships - she gets so much joy out of bringing people together. So, it was a natural move for her to begin a collective space where there is no hierarchy and only unyielding support for each other. As someone who grew up in a small beach town, Courtney knows that the coastal atmosphere has a culture of community support. Those experiences of community and Courtney’s connective and collective-based spirit created what is now Coastal Connections Collective.
who we are
"Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime's work, but it's worth the effort." - Mister Rogers
Courtney Clement Bowles, MAEd, LCMHCA, NCC
therapist & founder of Coastal Connections Collective
Courtney’s therapeutic style is warm, inviting, and rooted in research. Her goal for clients is to feel welcomed and accepted just as they are. Courtney’s experience in psychology, education, and counseling has armed her with the skills and passion for supporting a diverse group of individuals. She believes in her clients’ innate ability to move towards growth and believes her role is one that embodies curiosity, compassion, and acts as a partner on your journey. While Courtney does have specialized training in working with children, she specifies that she works with “all ages and stages,” providing you support wherever you are in your life’s journey.
Qualifications: Courtney received her Master’s of Arts in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She has received advanced level training in play therapy, where she obtained a graduate-level certificate and continues to attend play therapy conferences. Courtney sits on the North Carolina Board for the Association of Play Therapy and is completing her necessary supervision hours to obtain her Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential. Courtney also has experience holding Child-Parent Relationship Therapy groups and enjoys partnering with parents to promote positive parenting practices and address parental fatigue.
Before beginning her journey as a counselor, Courtney received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. There she focused her coursework on research, developmental psychology, and neuroscience. Upon graduation, Courtney began working in both public and private schools, primarily working with neurodiverse individuals. Through this experience, Courtney truly learned and recognized the importance in being neurodiversity affirming.
Courtney has also completed basic training in EMDR, which she is able to use to reprocess traumatic experiences and Sand Tray Therapy which helps clients tell their stories through sand tray miniatures and unlock solutions to life’s problems.
Specialties: play therapy; neurodiversity affirming; families; sand tray therapy; EMDR; trauma; CPRT; sensory integration
Where Courtney Draws Inspiration:
Courtney draws inspiration from her environment. Whether it’s tracking the stars, being in the water, reading a book, spending time with family, or creating a Spotify playlist, Courtney describes herself as someone who is especially tuned in to the things around them.
Courtney is consistently challenged to step into her most authentic self in session through the experiences of her clients. Whether it’s rediscovering a sense of self after motherhood, embodying your authenticity through gender transition, or discovering who you are for the first time in your life, Courtney is constantly inspired by the stories of her clients. The sacred nature of therapy is not lost on her, and Courtney holds the therapeutic relationship with the highest regard.
Special Interests & Hobbies:
When Courtney is not in the office, she’s likely on the beach, on a walk with her dogs (you are guaranteed to hear about bilateral stimulation in session), baking bread, or challenging herself to a new recipe.
Courtney is also the proud dog mom to a deaf puppy named “Otto” after finding him at Autozone. She is learning some ASL and enjoying having a puppy in the house!
If Courtney could invite anyone over for dinner, who would it be?
Easy. Ina Garten, Mister Rogers, and Taylor Swift.
“The waves of the sea help me get back to me.” Jill Davis
Jane Slovik, MAEd, PSC, LCMHCA, NCC
therapist & founder of Salty Sea Counseling
Jane’s therapeutic work focuses on all parts of the family system. Her long standing career in education has equipped her with the skills to support neurodiverse clients and their families, while the depth to her practice makes her an impactful partner to journey with you through grief, infertility, couples work, and postpartum mental health concerns.
Qualifications: Jane received her Masters of Arts in Education in Professional School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. There, her studies lead her to be both licensed as a school counselor and as a clinical mental health counselor. In addition, she completed her graduate certificate in play therapy, where she also has experience holding Child-Teacher Relationship Therapy groups. Jane has completed all necessary play therapy training and is currently completing supervision to fulfill Registered Play Therapist qualifications. Prior to finding counseling, Jane obtained her Bachelors of Science in Special Education from Miami University, and worked in the field for over a decade, supporting and advocating for students of varying needs.
Specialties: families; 504 and IEP expert; student support; play therapy; CPRT; grief; postpartum mental health; infertility; couples
Where Jane Draws Inspiration: Jane draws her inspiration from the clients themselves. She believes each individual possesses an innate capacity for growth and positive change. She recognizes and appreciates her clients perspective, values, and goals, and honors their own unique experiences and authenticity. Her office is a trusting and confidential environment, where she sees herself as a supportive collaborator in helping each client discover their own inner strength. She takes a warm and individualized approach to therapy, utilizing an eclectic approach that is adaptive and personalized, offering flexibility to meet the client where they are on their own personal journey.
Jane celebrates diversity in all forms, and provides her clients a safe and non-judgemental space to feel heard and respected.
Special Interests & Hobbies:
Jane is a true beach lover. You will often find her there--swimming, walking, reading a book, or just watching the waves roll in. If not at the beach, she enjoys paddleboarding, yoga, live music, and watching sports (especially baseball). In all honesty, however, she probably spends most of her free time cleaning dog hair off of her couches!
Goals I am still working towards:
Juggling! (Don't get me started on how many years I have been trying to master this), and watching the sunset on the Amalfi Coast with those I love most.