Therapists in Nashville, TN

Child and adolescent therapy specialist who offers many years of experience working with youth and their families. I am able to help children, teens, young adults, and families by providing empathetic support and instilling a new life perspective which focuses on the positive and increases hope. My clients become future-focused while also building confidence and resilience. I approach counseling from a strengths-based approach which is supported by research in positive psychology. To learn more about my background and experience, please click my website link on the left.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I received my Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in mental health and substance use disorders. I have experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings with adults struggling with co-morbid mental health and substance use disorders. I have a passion for continuing education and I enjoy learning about new techniques and research to provide evidence-based treatment and best practices. I am a big believer in finding balance within life’s ups and downs and I understand the importance of processing thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe and meaningful way.

Do you often feel stressed or overwhelmed by your daily demands? Tired of trying to do the right thing in your relationships but feeling like you constantly fall short? I help high achieving men manage stress, reduce burnout, and improve their relationships. The reason you haven’t gotten what you want out of life yet is most likely because no one ever gave you the tools that you need. No more hustling to prove your worth only to feel like you continue to disappoint yourself and others. By using my 4 step process to becoming a more self-led man, you can finally get what you want out of your work, life, love, sex and relationships!

You have made a big step to reach out for help. I can only imagine all of what you are feeling in this moment. I am so proud of you for beginning your journey towards becoming a happier and healthier you. It will be my pleasure to assist and encourage you on reaching your mental health goals with empathy and understanding.

My overall objective is to provide a safe, supportive environment for clients where they can gain insight and when needed create change to move towards living a more authentic life. I work with clients on a wide range of issues including but not limited to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, grief and loss and life transitions. I have experience working with adolescents and their families, individuals managing a diagnosis of a mood disorder or anxiety disorder, domestic violence survivors, seniors and their adult children and postpartum women.

“How can I make things better?” Whether you’re managing mental health issues like anxiety or depression or existing in a dissatisfying relationship, you’ve probably asked yourself many versions of this question. If you’re willing to work hard and are open to making changes, know that you have every reason to believe you can enjoy a healthier and happier life. Our purpose is to help our clients know what changes they may need to make in order to reach their goals. We are eager to serve and look forward to working with you.

In this life there is always something that makes us change. Human nature says that it is love or the loss of something or someone. If you think you need help to achieve your goals or make the necessary changes to be successful, you have to give yourself a chance. During therapy you have the necessary space to talk about the different barriers that are a challenge for you. I work with different people who are going through different personal situations, having challenges with their families, or struggling in their marriage.

Navigating life often involves unconsciously following paths laid out by others - the values, beliefs, and societal norms we absorb from our surroundings. These elements can profoundly influence our perception of success and happiness. However, the challenge arises when there's a mismatch between these external influences and our true desires, leading to various forms of emotional discomfort. You might experience this as anxiety over others' opinions, a sadness and disconnection from those closest to you, feelings of unfulfilled potential, or a persistent sensation that something vital remains just beyond grasp.

Who we were (or who we had to be) in the past doesn’t always match who we are now. We grow; we change; we develop our own ideas about the world and ourselves. And sometimes that causes us to feel stuck. We may wonder, is this what change is supposed to feel like? Where are we supposed to go from here? How do we make sense of values, behaviors, or even people when they don’t match up with how we want to live now? That confusion can be lonely. You’re not alone. We all ask ourselves these questions at some point. Whether you’re experiencing this “stuckness” for the first time or the tenth, I want to help you find your way back to you.

It is my passion to help you be your best self. I believe that mental wellness is for every individual and I honor your courage in seeking help and taking the necessary steps forward to your healing. While respecting your expertise as the author of your experience, I am here to offer you the support and guidance needed to help you navigate through life’s challenges. Utilizing a holistic lens of therapeutic practice from a whole person perspective, I offer you a safe space where we will work together through engagement, processing and exploration, while implementing a variety of treatment modalities to address your specific needs.

Are you interested in discovering what cognitive/behavioral/relational patterns serve you well? I see 18 years+ and my treatment areas include exploration of Shame, Self-Esteem, Self-Compassion, Trauma, PTSD, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Issues, Shyness, Phobias, Grief and Loss, Boundaries, and Interpersonal Issues. I work well with men and women who want to find more joy in life while increasing mood stability, self-curiosity, and healthy relationships. My philosophy incorporates an egalitarian, collaborative approach steeped in Relational-Cultural Theory; with the core belief that clients are the experts on themselves.

The clients that I work with are looking for a comfortable environment where they can be understood and supported. They are also looking for tools and resources to help them produce positive change in their lives. My clients often arrive to therapy feeling "stuck". I work with my clients to identify what being unstuck would look like and then we plan how to take steps in that direction.

My clients come to me at all stages of their life. I refer to this as their "beginnings, middles and ends" of their lifetime. I see teenagers struggling to be understood and truly heard. I help couples after the "honeymoon is over" , I assist parents with major life obstacles, I help people make difficult decisions about their careers and even guide them at the end of their lives. With each stage, I ask the client what they want out of their experience with therapy and give the client the power and voice. I guide them with their goals and help create a safe place to explore their emotions and options.

“The hardest part about the gym, is getting there.” And you have done that! I am excited that you have taken the first step to overcome your emotional challenges and life stressors. Making the choice to begin therapy is not always an easy one. My goal is to help you feel more comfortable about that decision. Sometimes you just need someone to assist you with life changes, challenges, and handling the stress of it all.

Many obstacles can interfere with living life to its fullest, but they don't have to. Creating a focused plan and sticking with it can be life changing, and at times deeper issues are at play. In my practice I work with high performing individuals such as Athletes, Entertainers and Public Figures, as well as their families. Having competed and worked in the Sport and Entertainment Industries for more than twenty years, I've developed a unique approach incorporating performance psychology, positive mental health and mindfulness to consistently help clients around the world meet and exceed their goals.

I truly believe we all have within us the capacity to live a great and meaningful life. If you struggle to believe this, it is often a symptom of living life out of alignment with your core values or attunement with who you truly are. It's easy to get bogged down and covered by all the expectations and narratives placed on us from outside sources (family, work, society, etc.) and we lose ourselves in all the noise. Work with me will include slowing down, turning inward, & getting clear on what matters most to you, which will in turn influence your decision-making and shape your perspective and how you view life moving forward.

Are you ready to transform depression and anxiety into hope and calm? Would support from an ally promote positive changes in your life? It takes courage to ask for help, but the rewards for doing so can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment. Take control of your life and do not let your circumstances control you! Working together as a team, we will cultivate growth by understanding the obstacles that you face. Together, we will develop solutions that will help you gain control of your life and achieve your goals. Ultimately, therapy can lead you to greater self-awareness, self-esteem, and most importantly, a more fulfilling life.

Being human. Along with the beautiful parts of life comes pain, struggle, and trauma. Everyone deserves a safe person with whom they can address these things and achieve real healing. Real relief. My first goal when beginning work with clients is to create that place where they can be their authentic selves...and feel accepted. To give them unconditional support without judgement. With this relationship formed, the deeper and holistic work can begin. Healing can happen. If you're struggling with self-esteem, trauma, mood disorders, substance use...or just struggling at all, we can work together to help you find peace.

When things feel off or when you are not going in a direction that feels authentic you can feel or see it. I approach therapy through a lens of strength, the strength to be vulnerable, to take ownership of your story, and to learning about yourself to act out your values with integrity. My experience as a therapist has shown me any change can evoke grief, and that acceptance when things cannot or will not change can be hard too. Individual therapy can provide support for grief, depression, isolation, and anxiety. Couples therapy can strengthen connection and dreams in your relationship. You don’t need to be alone in your journey.