The Center for Authentic Growth
Group Practice
4721 Trousdale Drive, Nashville, TN 37220
Let's Connect (629) 265-8457
A queer-affirming, values-driven therapy practice offering relational, trauma-informed care for individuals and relationships.
The Center for Authentic Growth offers affirming, relational therapy and community-based services for individuals, couples, and clinicians. Our team provides inclusive, trauma-informed care in person at our Nashville office and virtually across Tennessee, supporting healing, connection, and meaningful growth at every stage.
Our Team
Yo! I’m Payton, I’m an openly queer + nonbinary human and my pronoun are they/she! I think that humans are the coolest. My philosophy as an Identity Doula + Healing Practitioner takes into consideration that every human and every situation is different, thus unique tools and approaches are required for unique people and things. Sessions with me will go beyond standard talk therapy, as it is my personal and professional opinion that humans often heal with art, movement, visuals, embodiment, activities, and music better than they do with standard talk therapy alone. (Try to think of this as fun and exciting, not scary or awkward!)
Yo! I’m Payton, I’m an openly queer + nonbinary human and my pronoun are they/she! I think that humans are the coolest. My philosophy as an Identity Doula + Healing Practitioner takes into consideration that every human and every situation is different, thus unique tools and approaches are required for unique people and things. Sessions with me will go beyond standard talk therapy, as it is my personal and professional opinion that humans often heal with art, movement, visuals, embodiment, activities, and music better than they do with standard talk therapy alone. (Try to think of this as fun and exciting, not scary or awkward!)
As a therapist, my job is to empower you as you reach your goals. Your role is to show up as your authentic self and work at your own pace. Sessions are your space, and you get to choose how to use our time together. Whatever you feel your need for the day, that time and space is yours.
I work primarily with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and trauma. I work heavily with the LGBTQ+ community. I also provide kink-aware and affirming sex therapy to adults and couples. Being openly queer and neurodivergent myself, I understand it's important to have a space you can feel accepted and heard.
As a therapist, my job is to empower you as you reach your goals. Your role is to show up as your authentic self and work at your own pace. Sessions are your space, and you get to choose how to use our time together. Whatever you feel your need for the day, that time and space is yours.
I work primarily with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and trauma. I work heavily with the LGBTQ+ community. I also provide kink-aware and affirming sex therapy to adults and couples. Being openly queer and neurodivergent myself, I understand it's important to have a space you can feel accepted and heard.
Hi there! I’m Lydia and my pronouns are she/her. I'm a queer, neurodivergent, fat-bodied art therapist. I am passionate about providing creative, radical, and accessible forms of care to 2sLGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and marginalized communties. As an art therapist, my goal is to support you in discovering creativity and expression in alignment with your most authentic self. Right now, the world is experiencing collective grief on a scale beyond comprehension. We are witnessing global atrocities in real time while also trying to cope with our every day lives and past experiences.
Hi there! I’m Lydia and my pronouns are she/her. I'm a queer, neurodivergent, fat-bodied art therapist. I am passionate about providing creative, radical, and accessible forms of care to 2sLGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and marginalized communties. As an art therapist, my goal is to support you in discovering creativity and expression in alignment with your most authentic self. Right now, the world is experiencing collective grief on a scale beyond comprehension. We are witnessing global atrocities in real time while also trying to cope with our every day lives and past experiences.
Hello! I’m Jason Pipkin, A-LPC/MHSP, a therapist in Nashville. I help individuals who feel stuck. Whether it's a cycle of depression, anxiety, addiction, or relationship difficulties- working with stuckness requires patience and compassion. In our work together, we will slow things down, clarify what's happening, and find a way to pursue healing. My style is warm, curious, and insight-building, helping you reconnect with your true self and move forward.
Hello! I’m Jason Pipkin, A-LPC/MHSP, a therapist in Nashville. I help individuals who feel stuck. Whether it's a cycle of depression, anxiety, addiction, or relationship difficulties- working with stuckness requires patience and compassion. In our work together, we will slow things down, clarify what's happening, and find a way to pursue healing. My style is warm, curious, and insight-building, helping you reconnect with your true self and move forward.
If you're navigating a major life transition—relationship shifts, empty nest, divorce, or midlife identity questions—and feeling disconnected from yourself or your partner(s), you're not alone. I specialize in helping women, couples, and neurodivergent individuals move through life's pivotal moments with clarity and connection. Whether you're in a monogamous relationship, exploring non-monogamy, navigating queer partnership, or working through your own patterns, therapy can help you break cycles keeping you stuck. My approach is attachment-focused, trauma-informed, and uses parts work and EMDR with a holistic lens as both therapist.
If you're navigating a major life transition—relationship shifts, empty nest, divorce, or midlife identity questions—and feeling disconnected from yourself or your partner(s), you're not alone. I specialize in helping women, couples, and neurodivergent individuals move through life's pivotal moments with clarity and connection. Whether you're in a monogamous relationship, exploring non-monogamy, navigating queer partnership, or working through your own patterns, therapy can help you break cycles keeping you stuck. My approach is attachment-focused, trauma-informed, and uses parts work and EMDR with a holistic lens as both therapist.
Often times when we feel stuck in our lives, it is because we are noticing a conflict in our internal world. Part of us feels one way, while another part feels very differently. It is my belief that we all enter this world with the capacity to feel grounded and at peace, yet as we experience the hardships of life, we lose connection with that inner safety. Instead, we begin to experience the burdens of shame, grief and/or loneliness; and parts of us take on roles that may show up as anxiety, perfectionism, sadness, self-criticism, dissociation - or many other symptoms, thoughts, or emotions that you find yourself struggling with.
Often times when we feel stuck in our lives, it is because we are noticing a conflict in our internal world. Part of us feels one way, while another part feels very differently. It is my belief that we all enter this world with the capacity to feel grounded and at peace, yet as we experience the hardships of life, we lose connection with that inner safety. Instead, we begin to experience the burdens of shame, grief and/or loneliness; and parts of us take on roles that may show up as anxiety, perfectionism, sadness, self-criticism, dissociation - or many other symptoms, thoughts, or emotions that you find yourself struggling with.
Life is sometimes messy and unpredictable, and whether you are navigating grief of any kind, experiencing a life transition or existing in a "liminal space", recovering from trauma, or exploring neurodivergence or cultural identity, I am here to help individuals feel safe, learn to regulate their nervous system, and develop a relationship between their body and their mind. I am passionate about helping people connect with their experience in the present moment in a safe, holding environment, and develop self-awareness and self-compassion.
Life is sometimes messy and unpredictable, and whether you are navigating grief of any kind, experiencing a life transition or existing in a "liminal space", recovering from trauma, or exploring neurodivergence or cultural identity, I am here to help individuals feel safe, learn to regulate their nervous system, and develop a relationship between their body and their mind. I am passionate about helping people connect with their experience in the present moment in a safe, holding environment, and develop self-awareness and self-compassion.
Hi, I'm Elizabeth! I'm pleased to serve the Nashville community by working with individuals, couples, and family groups of every age and stage who are looking for compassionate care addressing grief, trauma, and sudden life changes. Sometimes major life shifts and painful losses can cause mind/body disconnect, challenges in aligning thoughts and emotions, conflict with loved ones, confusion, volatility, and loneliness. Integrating new realizations or new circumstances with how you've seen the world can be incredibly difficult but you are not alone. There is hope, healing, and a future worth shaping.
Hi, I'm Elizabeth! I'm pleased to serve the Nashville community by working with individuals, couples, and family groups of every age and stage who are looking for compassionate care addressing grief, trauma, and sudden life changes. Sometimes major life shifts and painful losses can cause mind/body disconnect, challenges in aligning thoughts and emotions, conflict with loved ones, confusion, volatility, and loneliness. Integrating new realizations or new circumstances with how you've seen the world can be incredibly difficult but you are not alone. There is hope, healing, and a future worth shaping.
Location
Primary Location
Center for Authentic Growth
4721 Trousdale Drive
Nashville, TN 37220
(629) 265-8457Email Us