Therapists in Nashville, TN

You're tired of always feeling overwhelmed, on autopilot, or stuck in your head with anxiety and insecurities. Self-defeating beliefs and patterns are seriously getting in the way of your goals, work, or relationships. And maybe you also struggle with food, body image, or past events / traumas that make you wonder if you'll ever feel okay in your own skin. Did I just just describe you? Let's talk. I'm not a passive therapist— I roll up my sleeves and give you tangible strategies to deal more effectively in the moment with difficult experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

Something's been brewing for a while now, but there's always been more pressing *stuff* that needs your attention and plenty of distractions to keep you occupied. But lately those obligations and distractions aren't enough and you're stuck with those thoughts that won't go away, and that nagging feeling in your stomach that can no longer be ignored. You like to feel in control and capable--able to handle things on your own, but these are uncharted waters and there's no map in sight. What's more is that things that may never have been issues before are all of a sudden becoming problems you didn't know you had.

We are meant to live in relational wholeness. The therapist-client relationship is based on trust. In a warm and welcoming environment – free of judgement – you will have the opportunity to be fully seen and heard, safe to share your struggles. This is an invitation to simply show up and sit amidst kindness and gentleness, to uncover, identify, and process what lies beneath the heart’s pain.

I work to identify the strengths of my client and then utilize these as we collaborate, accomplishing the client's life goals, navigating stressors and bringing balance and hope to the client's life. Are you tired of sabotaging your success? Do you wish you could get a grip on your anxiety? Why am I so angry all of the time? Other people can quit, why can't I? Will I ever be enough? I believe in creating a safe space of healing, hope and refuge where you can achieve your goals and desires for your life.

I am delighted to give folks the opportunity to meet their most confident, competent selves and to find joy in the journey of doing so. Whether that means healing from trauma, navigating systemic challenges, or learning how to get out of your own way— I believe you deserve to live authentically, richly, and joyfully. I also acknowledge that each of us exists within larger systems (some of which may be inherently unjust or broken) and that building such a life often requires you to find belongingness and support both from within and from without.

Living in stressful times can make it feel like mental health has to be on the back burner but I believe in prioritizing joy and rest to endure what seems impossible. Using evidence-based, trauma-informed practices, I work with clients to find their true selves and help strip away external stressors so they feel prepared to take on life. I enjoy helping solo clients and any type of partner arrangement in navigating difficult conversations and establishing boundaries. It is normal for the therapy process to feel a bit intimidating but my sessions are informal and individually tailored. Neurodiverse? You'll be right at home!

I have spent my entire professional career supporting people become their best selves. After working 25 years as a special education and inclusion specialist, I transitioned to a career in social work and have been working in the field for 12 years. I believe in self-care, wellness and the strength and resilience of all individuals. I am currently EMDR Institute Trained, and am offering EMDR, as this technique is highly effective and proven to reduce the effects of past trauma as a way to create freedom and positive beliefs towards self and others. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Each of us navigates our unique set of experiences. Some carry deep-rooted trauma, while others grapple with the everyday complexities of 'normal' life. At times, we might downplay our struggles, thinking that someone out there has it worse than we do. It's a common sentiment, and if you've ever felt this way, you're not alone.

Accepting new couples who desire a better relationship. Reactivity and emotional turmoil in relationships are often signs of potential growth. One of the most satisfying experiences in my work is coaching a couple or family toward a new way to communicate. A way that increases their connection to one another. It is an honor and privilege to facilitate and witness it everyday. As a licensed Marriage and Family, and Certified IMAGO Therapist, improving communication and increasing connectivity are what keep me motivated and charged to do what I do, day in and day out. I welcome the challenge of your relationships.

I believe life is all about balance. In therapy, that often means balancing change with acceptance. I try to create a safe place that empowers all clients to make needed changes, and do the brave work of accepting themselves and their lives, just as they are. I feel most effective when working with clients working through anxiety, depression, adjustments, relationships, trauma and working to break the cycles of intergenerational trauma. I hope to make ALL clients feel accepted and validated. I am committed to building my cultural awareness and sensitivity to be able to serve people from diverse walks of life.

“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about the solutions." -- Albert Einstein. I also believe that the quality of the solution you generate is in direct proportion to your ability to identify the problem you hope to solve. My goal in therapy is to provide you with a safe space to tell your story, to sort through it, examine it and make peace with it. In this process, my hope is that you will be able to clarify your strengths, values and goals and identify practical solutions to overcoming barriers to living a full and meaning-centered life.

Are you a dedicated professional who is feeling the weight of burnout and the impact of witnessing trauma at work? You might feel anxious and depressed due to the high emotional stress of your job. I am a therapist specializing in supporting professionals like you. My mission is to be your trusted guide on your journey towards healing, resilience, and renewed passion for your vital work. You love what you do, but you need new tools to make your work sustainable.

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.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider, and Nationally Certified Counselor. I hold a Masters of Education in Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University and a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. I have experience in community mental health, addictions, and inpatient hospitalization. My therapeutic approach involves incorporating aspects of CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing when working with patients. I utilize these different therapies to help create an integrative approach and better appeal to each patient individually.

Within each of us is an innate desire to be deeply known; to share our story; to be fully seen by another. It is in this achingly vulnerable space where we experience acceptance; belonging; intimate connection. When our lived experiences hold unaddressed narratives of neglect, abuse, abandonment, rigid intolerance or profound loss, the natural longing for connection can become distorted or overridden. What emerges from our understandable aversion to risk and rejection is the imperative to channel all our energy towards managing or keeping hidden the unacceptable parts of ourselves and our story. If this resonates, you are not alone.

You are too valuable to ignore. The issues you're facing are too solvable to avoid. The quality of your experience in this life is too important to neglect. Showing up for yourself can mean a lot of different things. Connecting with one of our therapists can be the first step in a series of meaningful steps toward a life full of success, satisfaction and serenity. We help our clients set intentions for their lives and walk with them on their journey toward mental, emotional and relational health.

I believe in the importance of accepting and loving yourself and reframing negative self-talk and core-beliefs. I prioritize diving deeper into the root causes of these negative core-beliefs and working to heal their source, instead of taking a band-aid approach to remedying symptoms. I feel particularly called to work with men seeking help from the pressures of societal and/or familial and cultural norms and often work with issues including trauma recovery, military-related issues, intimacy disorders & sex and love addiction, substance abuse disorders, anxiety and depression, and self-medicating tendencies.

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.