Kevin MacNevin Clark - Author, The New Prophet
Kevin MacNevin Clark
Kevin MacNevin Clark has found deep purpose through his work in the behavioral health field, specializing in treating addiction and trauma. He holds a degree in psychology and has been on his own path of awakening since 2005, getting sober and entering recovery in 2006.
He founded Excelsior Addiction Services LLC in 2020. He resides in Virginia with his family, living by his guiding philosophy that there are no hopeless cases.
Kevin is also the author of “The New Prophet”, inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, Kevin MacNevin Clark presents deep meditative truths that will awaken your heart. This book is as much for those hurting as it is for the hopeful. Knowing his final days are upon him and wanting to be with family, the great counselor Ishala returns to his hometown where he had spent many years healing wounds and providing hope to so many.
His beloved son Ezekiel sits with him through his last days, and together they share a sacred conversation in which the son asks his father to bestow upon him his wisdom regarding the human condition. The counselor—a man who has lived a life of love and service with each word he spoke and each breath he took—recounts parables and enriches his meaning through metaphor as he leaves his son with this beautiful parting gift.
I’m so excited for you to connect with Kevin, check out his work and new book, and follow along as he continues to help people find emotional freedom, develop spiritually and heal hurts.
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
My name is Kevin MacNevin Clark. I have lived in Northern Virginia all my life. I am also someone who suffered from addiction from the ages of 13 to 22 and have now been gratefully sober for 14 years. Currently I work part-time as Program Manager and as a Primary Therapist with Recovery Unplugged, an addiction treatment center in Annandale, Virginia. I also own my own business, Excelsior Addiction Services, LLC, where I provide counseling for any stage of the recovery journey. I have a specialization in treating unresolved trauma for those with substance use disorders. In addition to starting my own business in 2020, I also wrote my first book, “The New Prophet,” available now, and have already begun a new book which I am thrilled to create and share with the world. Whereas the first book was more inspirational/motivational wisdom, the new book will have a stronger self-help/experiential basis. And finally, I am currently putting together a team with the aim of starting a foundation to help make effective treatment more available to people with limited resources.
How did you get started?
I went to school with the intention of working in the addiction/mental health field. I started working part-time for Harrison House of Virginia while continuing my full-time job surveying land. I then left and worked as a Mental Health Counselor II for Pathway Homes, Inc. full-time for over a year before returning to where my passion lies, the addiction treatment field.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
I had a therapist when I was in treatment, Carl Street. Carl showed up for me in a way that no man had before then. He provided me a safe space to be vulnerable. He was enthusiastic, competent, and confident with his genuine and compassionate approach. After working with him, I knew my calling was to be a therapist. If I could impact even one life in the way in which he impacted mine, my purpose would be fulfilled. I’m confident I have more than met that mark at this point.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My biggest passion is helping others. I am living in my passion with purpose. I live to be of service. My greatest strength is helping people heal. I show up in love.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
My children all bring me tremendous joy. Whether it be listening to the music my oldest daughter creates, cuddling with my youngest daughter, or playing with my son, I am lit up by joy in a multitude of ways through fatherhood. Apart from family, skateboarding has been and remains a reliable way for me to tap into the aliveness of the present moment and reconnect me to my inner child.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
Journaling has been a practice I employ to help cultivate mindfulness. I also am a big proponent of developing gratitude or an abundance mindset. I utilize meditation to slow down and separate myself from my thoughts. And as I previously said, skateboarding is a Zen meditation for me. Skateboarding demands presence. I also love massage therapy to both treat my body with compassion and to better be in my body. This year I began using float tanks as well to recenter and tune me in to present moment awareness. And last but certainly not least, I am a big believer in therapy and have one of the best therapists out there. So, yes, I live intentionally. After a while, all of life becomes one big mindfulness meditation, a prayer without ceasing.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
He would smile, know that I finally made it back to being myself, and simply tell me he loves me.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
I have a ton of gems I bring out depending on the need of the situation. The serenity prayer is a great one for refocusing on what I can and cannot control. It helps move me from frustration to acceptance.
What is your biggest dream?
That the world will finish waking up and we can live in love and not have to be in so much conflict due to so many still existing in fear.
To learn more about Kevin and his book connect with him on his website http://excelsioraddictionservices.com/ http://thenewprophet.org/ and on Facebook here and Instagram @Kevinmacnevinclark
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