Humanistic Therapists in Music Row, Nashville, TN

My hope is that our work together can reignite those things that bring you the most joy and life. Often this process involves working through the impact of loss, pain, or trauma in a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship. I work extensively with women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and much of my experience centers around religious trauma and spiritual wounding. My work is informed by humanistic and existential perspectives of psychotherapy, and I often incorporate the use of mindfulness techniques. I am also trained in a number of evidence-based clinical treatments including IFS, ACT, and EMDR.

Everyone wants to be themselves, to be “seen,” and to be valued for their uniqueness. We’re wired to need safe and affirming relationships and connection with others. When we’re struggling, it’s usually because something has gotten in the way of these things - not because we’re somehow "defective" or "flawed." I value authenticity, and strive to help clients feel and honor emotions that may seem “wrong" or unacceptable.

I view counseling as a journey of awareness, growth, and self-compassion. As your travel companion, I aim to provide insight, encouragement, and a gentle nudge to help you reach your destination. I work with individuals, groups, and families of all ages and backgrounds and have specialized experience helping clients with issues of anxiety, grief, trauma, spirituality, self-harm, and gender identity. When appropriate, I offer dreamwork, sandtray therapy, and psychotherapeutic Reiki interventions. My approach is collaborative and respectful, primarily drawing from an integration of humanistic, cognitive, and narrative frameworks.

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed? Maybe you've been having thoughts of not being good enough or questioning your identity. You might be the kind of person who is used to having it all figured out and can usually manage things on your own, but lately it’s been feeling like too much to handle. Stress is starting to negatively impact your relationships, work and health. Trying to carry this weight can be emotionally and physically exhausting especially when you’re trying to do it alone. That’s where I come in.

Are you struggling with worry or fear that easily spirals out of control, at times to the point of panic? Are you noticing a negative impact on your work/school or your relationships (including with yourself!)? I specialize in helping smart, caring women who struggle with anxiety learn to find greater balance and ease. The women who work with me are the kind, responsible types who tend to their loved ones and to work/school, but who overlook themselves. By the time they get in touch with me, they feel exhausted, stressed out, guilty, and ashamed. They tend to overthink everything and feel easily overwhelmed by their emotions.

I've been in private practice for over 15 years and enjoy diversity in my office. My approach is really dependent on my clients unique needs. I would describe myself as caring and direct and have been told by my clients that my challenges to them are as beneficial as my empathy towards them. My hope is to sit with people in a focused, loving and generative way, helping my clients move towards a deeper sense of vitality, self-awareness and authenticity.

When kids’ emotions are high, logic and language can be low, and when we can’t look to reason, we should look to connection. Through a lens of compassionate curiosity, I work to hold the space needed to explore heightened feelings/emotions. My passion is working with toddlers, children, adolescents, & young adult women seeking connection, balance, self-awareness, and healing when facing emotional/behavioral struggles, school-related issues, family/relationship challenges, life-transitions, and self-esteem. I believe every human, no matter how young, can find healing, but I'm here to walk alongside you or your child on your journey.

My favorite all-time bumper sticker: Don't Believe Everything You Think! Obviously, everyone has problems in life, but both sages and scientists have discovered that how we think about our problems is a crucial variable in whether we grow through difficulties (past or present), or get mired in difficult emotions and unhelpful behavior patterns. While we all have unique histories and personalities, what leads to healing and change generally applies to all of us. But more than ever, we are living on "autopilot," and just trying to keep up. All the while, our busy minds provide a running commentary, often full of fear and criticism.

My approach to psychological healing is integrative, mixing psychodynamic, mind/body, transpersonal, mindfulness, and CBT approaches to psychotherapy. My philosophy of therapy stresses respect for the client and the client’s experience. Therapy often involves the exploration of family of origin issues and the impact of old conditioning on current functioning. I also emphasize the importance of developing existing personal strengths and resources. I often use a personality system called the Enneagram to clarify client strengths and issues. I have expertise in mindfulness. See my website, www.musiccitytherapy.com.

If you’re wrestling with anger, sadness, or anxiety, you are not alone. Perhaps your personal or professional life suffers as a result. Lost in our minds, we struggle with how to manage tough emotions and how to find small joys. Together, we will work to recapture your control, passion for life, and take steps towards growth -- helping you to be fully present for self and others. Through in person or telehealth sessions, I’m here to offer reflection and support.

Do you notice yourself being forgetful or having brain fog? Or those close to you point out that you seem “out of it?" Maybe you questioned if past events actually happened or if these hurtful experiences should affect you like they do today. You might also have a hard time expressing your emotions because of overwhelm, numbness, or fear of judgement. And there's a harsh inner critic that makes it hard to accept parts of yourself. If this resonates with you, know you're not alone.

Whether you are looking to get sober, stay sober, work on healthy relationships and healthy communication styles or past traumas, I am here to help you reach your therapeutic goals. I believe in therapy and I believe that if you stick with it you will see significant changes in your life.

Each one of us experiences psychological challenges in life that we try to meet using whatever strategies we know. However, sometimes the challenges become too great and our coping strategies stop working. This can be compounded by the fact that we often internalize messages from our society, however well-intentioned, that limit our abilities to understand ourselves and our world. It is in these moments that we can use support from therapists to turn down the noise of the world so that we may find our own inner wisdom about who we are, what we need, and ultimately how to heal.

I strive to create a safe and comfortable space for clients to develop connection and self-acceptance. I assist clients experiencing anxiety, grief, trauma, adjustments, and difficult family dynamics to go from feeling isolated and misunderstood to feeling connected, seen, and understood.

I help people with anxiety (worry or panic), depression, grief, trauma, and trouble with eating patterns or body image. I help people who find themselves in a different world due to divorce, estrangement, coming out, or relocation. I also help those visited by the ongoing impact of another's addiction or of caring for a loved one who is sick. Whether in the midst of turbulence or motivated to reclaim your strength, you're in the right place to benefit from therapy.

**EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE** I enjoy working with individuals, marriages, and couples who have the courage to enter the heartache of their past or current struggles, and creatively collaborate to find new ways to thrive and live and love more fully. I have experience with anxiety, depression, anger, grief, marital dissastifaction, OCD, and divorce. As a professional counselor, my goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where a person can acknowledge their current limitations and begin to move forward in positive strides.

Welcome New Clients! Saturday & Sunday appointments available. I believe in the resilience of people who are doing the best they can and want better. You are capable. I've helped clients navigate challenges in their relationships, families, school & workplace. Together, we've addressed: anxiety & depression; substance use; grief, stress, & burnout; abandonment & neglect, shame & self-confidence; and trauma including rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. I also provide licensure supervision. My mission is to ensure you feel heard, supported, & empowered to achieve your goals and experience your best life.

If you feel disconnected, unfulfilled, or anxious, I can help. Life is a journey, and everyone's path is unique; managing relationships, careers, and life doesn't have to overwhelm you. I provide holistic, personalized counseling to meet you where you are at in life. We will work together to help build a plan to overcome challenges, get your needs fulfilled, achieve your goals, and write the life story that you want to live.

Are you struggling with either personal or relationship difficulties? If so, I would like to help. When combined with hard work, professional counseling can help you overcome almost any problem. Instead of always feeling "stuck," it's time you began experiencing more joy, fulfillment and direction in your life - you know, the good stuff. I am a Level 3 trained Gottman Couples Therapist. I am a LGBT+-affirming therapist and I work with couples and adults from diverse backgrounds.