Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Brentwood, TN
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, distressed, or confused by life's challenges? Sometimes support from loved ones isn't enough. Shara, founder of Three Trees Counseling (originally Shara Smile), a growing group practice in Brentwood, TN, helps you build trust and create lasting positive change. Asking if counseling is right for you is the courageous first step. Let's work together.
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, distressed, or confused by life's challenges? Sometimes support from loved ones isn't enough. Shara, founder of Three Trees Counseling (originally Shara Smile), a growing group practice in Brentwood, TN, helps you build trust and create lasting positive change. Asking if counseling is right for you is the courageous first step. Let's work together.
I have loved being a therapist for 18+ years. I specialize in relationship issues (getting into one, deciding to get out of one or trying to help your current romantic or family relationships), anxiety (panic attacks, stress and daily worry), and self-esteem. It is such joy to make an impact in someone's life. I think that is something my clients would say about me - I want to help them make changes that will aid them in having the life they have always wanted. I also am a life coach.
I have loved being a therapist for 18+ years. I specialize in relationship issues (getting into one, deciding to get out of one or trying to help your current romantic or family relationships), anxiety (panic attacks, stress and daily worry), and self-esteem. It is such joy to make an impact in someone's life. I think that is something my clients would say about me - I want to help them make changes that will aid them in having the life they have always wanted. I also am a life coach.
Laurie is a National Certified Counselor who uses a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy ( DBT) as well as Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, Motivational Interviewing, and Culturally Responsive therapies.
I have a firm belief in the potential for health and wholeness for every individual, I approach each client journey with dedication and compassion. I am committed to walking alongside you on your path to healing and wellness by being a skilled listener, thoughtful communicator, and deeply empathetic clinician. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of online therapy, I am here to support you every step of the way.
Laurie is a National Certified Counselor who uses a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy ( DBT) as well as Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, Motivational Interviewing, and Culturally Responsive therapies.
I have a firm belief in the potential for health and wholeness for every individual, I approach each client journey with dedication and compassion. I am committed to walking alongside you on your path to healing and wellness by being a skilled listener, thoughtful communicator, and deeply empathetic clinician. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of online therapy, I am here to support you every step of the way.
While a lot of the work we do will have a Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy influence, I also like to incorporate expressive-based and narrative processing as much as possible.
I'm so glad you're here! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) therapist with experience working with diverse populations across a multitude of circumstances. I am very passionate about helping people through some of life's hardest transitions including; relocation, parenting, marriage, and divorce, and especially grief and loss, post-traumatic event, and pregnancy and postpartum. I see how sometimes these events may be months or years in the past, but we still struggle with anxiety, depression, panic, PTSD, addiction, and impacts on our behavior, communication, attachment styles, and relationships.
While a lot of the work we do will have a Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy influence, I also like to incorporate expressive-based and narrative processing as much as possible.
I'm so glad you're here! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) therapist with experience working with diverse populations across a multitude of circumstances. I am very passionate about helping people through some of life's hardest transitions including; relocation, parenting, marriage, and divorce, and especially grief and loss, post-traumatic event, and pregnancy and postpartum. I see how sometimes these events may be months or years in the past, but we still struggle with anxiety, depression, panic, PTSD, addiction, and impacts on our behavior, communication, attachment styles, and relationships.
Life can feel overwhelming even when everything appears fine on the surface. Many of the men, women, and couples I work with are struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, trauma, or a persistent sense of feeling stuck. Others are carrying the weight of stress, shame, or past experiences that continue to affect how they think, feel, and connect with the people they care about most.
Life can feel overwhelming even when everything appears fine on the surface. Many of the men, women, and couples I work with are struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, trauma, or a persistent sense of feeling stuck. Others are carrying the weight of stress, shame, or past experiences that continue to affect how they think, feel, and connect with the people they care about most.
I utilize evidence-based therapy to ensure my clients have good outcomes including: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed, Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, and Behavior Activation for acute and chronic depression.
Another sleepless night kept awake either by nightmares, haunting images from the past, or memories that you can’t push away? You’ve tried almost everything to keep the past in the past, but no matter what, the past keeps showing up in all the reminders around you. The traumatic event(s) were awful enough, reliving them over again in your mind and body just seems unusually cruel. You’ve tried keeping up appearances at work, around family, but the more you try, the more disconnected you feel. As time moves on, you keep wondering if there’s something wrong with "you" that you can’t just “get over” them.
I utilize evidence-based therapy to ensure my clients have good outcomes including: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed, Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, and Behavior Activation for acute and chronic depression.
Another sleepless night kept awake either by nightmares, haunting images from the past, or memories that you can’t push away? You’ve tried almost everything to keep the past in the past, but no matter what, the past keeps showing up in all the reminders around you. The traumatic event(s) were awful enough, reliving them over again in your mind and body just seems unusually cruel. You’ve tried keeping up appearances at work, around family, but the more you try, the more disconnected you feel. As time moves on, you keep wondering if there’s something wrong with "you" that you can’t just “get over” them.
I'm trained in DBT, CBT, ACT, and mindfulness, all of which work together to help you heal as a high-achieving perfectionist.
Throughout your life, you’ve relied on relentless effort, awareness, and overthinking to succeed—often crediting your worry to your achievements—even though it’s been exhausting and costly to your mental well-being. You beat yourself up when you don’t check everything off your never-ending to-do list. And even when you do, it never feels good enough. You get stuck in a state of paralysis, worried about getting it wrong, constantly holding yourself to an impossible standard of perfection. You want meaningful relationships but struggle to express your needs, leaving you feeling lonely and disappointed.
I'm trained in DBT, CBT, ACT, and mindfulness, all of which work together to help you heal as a high-achieving perfectionist.
Throughout your life, you’ve relied on relentless effort, awareness, and overthinking to succeed—often crediting your worry to your achievements—even though it’s been exhausting and costly to your mental well-being. You beat yourself up when you don’t check everything off your never-ending to-do list. And even when you do, it never feels good enough. You get stuck in a state of paralysis, worried about getting it wrong, constantly holding yourself to an impossible standard of perfection. You want meaningful relationships but struggle to express your needs, leaving you feeling lonely and disappointed.
Many healthcare professionals come to therapy feeling burned out, emotionally numb, and overwhelmed—despite appearing high-functioning to others. Physicians, nurses, and therapists often ignore or push aside anxiety, burnout, and even thoughts of suicide to keep performing. Many cope by compartmentalizing work stress, over-exercising, or using food or substances. A difficult truth: nearly half of healthcare professionals wish they had chosen a different career. Rather than quitting or staying miserable, therapy can help you change your relationship with your profession and restore meaning, balance, and well-being.
Many healthcare professionals come to therapy feeling burned out, emotionally numb, and overwhelmed—despite appearing high-functioning to others. Physicians, nurses, and therapists often ignore or push aside anxiety, burnout, and even thoughts of suicide to keep performing. Many cope by compartmentalizing work stress, over-exercising, or using food or substances. A difficult truth: nearly half of healthcare professionals wish they had chosen a different career. Rather than quitting or staying miserable, therapy can help you change your relationship with your profession and restore meaning, balance, and well-being.
I’m advanced-trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Somatic.
I am skilled in addressing complex emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs through evidence-based practices. I am advanced trained in EMDR therapy for PTSD and Trauma. I use Trauma-Focused CBT, and I have experience in integrating faith and spiritual elements into therapy for clients who wish to include faith in their healing journey.
I’m advanced-trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Somatic.
I am skilled in addressing complex emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs through evidence-based practices. I am advanced trained in EMDR therapy for PTSD and Trauma. I use Trauma-Focused CBT, and I have experience in integrating faith and spiritual elements into therapy for clients who wish to include faith in their healing journey.
We offer EMDR, DBT, CBT, IFS, Play therapy, etc.
Ellie Mental Health in Smyrna, Tennessee isn’t your average therapy clinic. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide you with customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs.
We offer EMDR, DBT, CBT, IFS, Play therapy, etc.
Ellie Mental Health in Smyrna, Tennessee isn’t your average therapy clinic. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide you with customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs.
Nick Choate
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MHSP, CSAT, EMDR, HOCI
7 Endorsed
Brentwood, TN 37027
MEN - We juggle a lot: work, school, relationships, kids, health, stress, you name, and those things aren’t supposed to bother us. For a time, we can handle just about anything thrown at us. That is until we can't! The facade will crumble; our masks will crack; it's just a matter of time. At least that's my story! How about you? We look one way, feel another, all while stuffing what's really going on deep down and out of sight. We begin to unravel and that’s when we turn to things that help us numb, check-out and regulate. In retrospect, those things worked well...for a time! But now they're just causing us problems and heartache.
MEN - We juggle a lot: work, school, relationships, kids, health, stress, you name, and those things aren’t supposed to bother us. For a time, we can handle just about anything thrown at us. That is until we can't! The facade will crumble; our masks will crack; it's just a matter of time. At least that's my story! How about you? We look one way, feel another, all while stuffing what's really going on deep down and out of sight. We begin to unravel and that’s when we turn to things that help us numb, check-out and regulate. In retrospect, those things worked well...for a time! But now they're just causing us problems and heartache.
Kristen Sawyer, LMFT-Temp, helps individuals and families in Tennessee strengthen relationships, build emotional resilience, and navigate life’s most challenging transitions with clarity and confidence. Practicing at LifeStance Health, she brings over a decade of experience supporting clients through their unique journeys using a compassionate, collaborative approach grounded in clinical expertise. Kristen is dedicated to creating a supportive therapeutic space for clients of all ages to explore patterns, resolve conflicts, and foster meaningful growth.Kristen Sawyer, LMFT-Temp, helps individuals and families in Tennessee strengthen
Kristen Sawyer, LMFT-Temp, helps individuals and families in Tennessee strengthen relationships, build emotional resilience, and navigate life’s most challenging transitions with clarity and confidence. Practicing at LifeStance Health, she brings over a decade of experience supporting clients through their unique journeys using a compassionate, collaborative approach grounded in clinical expertise. Kristen is dedicated to creating a supportive therapeutic space for clients of all ages to explore patterns, resolve conflicts, and foster meaningful growth.Kristen Sawyer, LMFT-Temp, helps individuals and families in Tennessee strengthen
Hi there, I'm happy you're here! Making the choice to pursue therapy is both brave and courageous. I am committed to supporting clients through their toughest challenges, offering a renewed sense of hope and healing along the way; trusting that it may feel dark now, but it will not always feel like this. I aim to create a safe environment that fosters positive change, self-exploration, and empowerment. I am passionate about meeting you where you are and walking with you in your journey towards healing - whatever that may look like for you.
Hi there, I'm happy you're here! Making the choice to pursue therapy is both brave and courageous. I am committed to supporting clients through their toughest challenges, offering a renewed sense of hope and healing along the way; trusting that it may feel dark now, but it will not always feel like this. I aim to create a safe environment that fosters positive change, self-exploration, and empowerment. I am passionate about meeting you where you are and walking with you in your journey towards healing - whatever that may look like for you.
Hello, fellow sensitive soul. First I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to consider therapy. As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), it’s likely you’ve felt painfully misunderstood in your life, even by those closest to you. I know I have. HSPs are gifted with tender hearts—we feel things deeply, notice details others miss, and carry the emotional weight of the world in ways that are both beautiful and, at times, exhausting. Your sensitivity is a profound strength and source of wisdom. At the same time, I understand how sensitivity can lead to overwhelm, shame, and self-doubt, especially in a fast-paced and insensitive world.
Hello, fellow sensitive soul. First I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to consider therapy. As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), it’s likely you’ve felt painfully misunderstood in your life, even by those closest to you. I know I have. HSPs are gifted with tender hearts—we feel things deeply, notice details others miss, and carry the emotional weight of the world in ways that are both beautiful and, at times, exhausting. Your sensitivity is a profound strength and source of wisdom. At the same time, I understand how sensitivity can lead to overwhelm, shame, and self-doubt, especially in a fast-paced and insensitive world.
I often pull from CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Are you stuck repeating unhealthy patterns? Are you trying to figure out life after trauma? Maybe adjusting to a serious injury or diagnosis? I can help you address addiction, trauma, depression and other obstacles that may be in your way. Take the first brave step today.
I often pull from CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Are you stuck repeating unhealthy patterns? Are you trying to figure out life after trauma? Maybe adjusting to a serious injury or diagnosis? I can help you address addiction, trauma, depression and other obstacles that may be in your way. Take the first brave step today.
Dana Alvanas helps patients across Tennessee navigate emotional distress, relationship strain, and complex life transitions with thoughtful, evidence-based care. She works with adolescents, teens, adults, and seniors, providing individual and couples therapy that supports healing, insight, and meaningful behavioral change. Through her work at LifeStance Health, she creates a structured yet compassionate therapeutic environment where patients feel heard while building skills to improve daily functioning and long-term well-being. Ms.Dana Alvanas helps patients across Tennessee navigate emotional distress, relationship strain, and comp
Dana Alvanas helps patients across Tennessee navigate emotional distress, relationship strain, and complex life transitions with thoughtful, evidence-based care. She works with adolescents, teens, adults, and seniors, providing individual and couples therapy that supports healing, insight, and meaningful behavioral change. Through her work at LifeStance Health, she creates a structured yet compassionate therapeutic environment where patients feel heard while building skills to improve daily functioning and long-term well-being. Ms.Dana Alvanas helps patients across Tennessee navigate emotional distress, relationship strain, and comp
Laura enjoys working with clients presenting with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders as well as clients desiring to improve the quality of their relationships, heal past trauma(s), and live a life congruent with their values.
As a clinician, Laura values building a foundation of safety through curiosity, patience, and collaboration towards shared goals. Her therapeutic style is warm, direct, and compassionate. She challenges and provides feedback when appropriate, and prioritizes reflecting areas of growth, change and healing in clients.
Laura enjoys working with clients presenting with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders as well as clients desiring to improve the quality of their relationships, heal past trauma(s), and live a life congruent with their values.
As a clinician, Laura values building a foundation of safety through curiosity, patience, and collaboration towards shared goals. Her therapeutic style is warm, direct, and compassionate. She challenges and provides feedback when appropriate, and prioritizes reflecting areas of growth, change and healing in clients.
Abby Myers
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
6 Endorsed
Brentwood, TN 37027
Waitlist for new clients
Do you ever feel stuck? Maybe your brain runs a mile a minute, or your emotions swing between “too much” and “completely numb.” Maybe you are burned out, or just tired of trying to make sense of something that feels impossible to explain. I’m Abby, a therapist in Brentwood, and I work with teens, young adults, and parents who think deeply, feel intensely, and are ready to finally understand what is actually going on inside. You deserve support that actually fits you.
Do you ever feel stuck? Maybe your brain runs a mile a minute, or your emotions swing between “too much” and “completely numb.” Maybe you are burned out, or just tired of trying to make sense of something that feels impossible to explain. I’m Abby, a therapist in Brentwood, and I work with teens, young adults, and parents who think deeply, feel intensely, and are ready to finally understand what is actually going on inside. You deserve support that actually fits you.
I specialize in working with men and teen boys.
Many of the men I work with struggle with dissatisfaction in life, marital or relationship difficulties, anxiety, and depression. These issues can show up as frustration, emotional numbness, conflict, or a sense that life isn’t turning out the way you expected.
Many of the teen boys I work with face challenges at school and at home, relationship stress, anxiety, depression, and identity-related struggles. Adolescence can be confusing and isolating, and I help teens better understand their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthier ways to cope with stress and relationships.
I specialize in working with men and teen boys.
Many of the men I work with struggle with dissatisfaction in life, marital or relationship difficulties, anxiety, and depression. These issues can show up as frustration, emotional numbness, conflict, or a sense that life isn’t turning out the way you expected.
Many of the teen boys I work with face challenges at school and at home, relationship stress, anxiety, depression, and identity-related struggles. Adolescence can be confusing and isolating, and I help teens better understand their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthier ways to cope with stress and relationships.
I use evidence-based approaches like ACT (understand what matters to you), CBT (untangle thoughts that don't serve you), DBT (manage intense emotions), and EMDR (process trauma).
Have you noticed that thoughts about food and your body take up more mental space than you’d like? You may feel preoccupied with food and body image, caught in cycles of self‑criticism, and unsure how to move forward. Maybe you’re just exhausted from trying to hold it all together. You don’t have to know exactly what’s wrong or have the perfect words for it. You just know you want something different. You’re ready to rebuild trust with yourself, feel more present in your life, and step out of survival mode. As an anxiety and eating disorder therapist, I believe that everyone deserves to find peace and trust within themselves.
I use evidence-based approaches like ACT (understand what matters to you), CBT (untangle thoughts that don't serve you), DBT (manage intense emotions), and EMDR (process trauma).
Have you noticed that thoughts about food and your body take up more mental space than you’d like? You may feel preoccupied with food and body image, caught in cycles of self‑criticism, and unsure how to move forward. Maybe you’re just exhausted from trying to hold it all together. You don’t have to know exactly what’s wrong or have the perfect words for it. You just know you want something different. You’re ready to rebuild trust with yourself, feel more present in your life, and step out of survival mode. As an anxiety and eating disorder therapist, I believe that everyone deserves to find peace and trust within themselves.
See more therapy options for Brentwood
Nearby Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists Searches for Brentwood
- Antioch
- Bellevue
- Berry Hill
- College Grove
- Franklin
- Hermitage
- La Vergne
- Madison
- Nashville
- Nolensville
- Smyrna
- Thompsons Station
Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists
Who is DBT for?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is designed for people who experience extreme emotional suffering because they lack the skills of emotion regulation and distress tolerance. The basic affliction can underlie a wide range of conditions, from borderline and other personality disorders to PTSD and treatment-resistant anxiety and depression. The therapy is helpful to those whose emotional reactivity is so intense it is disruptive to everyday functioning and leads to frequent crises.
Why do people need DBT?
The ability to regulate emotions is a core psychological skill that enables people to function in life and pay attention to the world outside themselves; it is consistently associated with well-being. DBT is designed to help people learn how to manage and regulate their emotions. Originally developed to treat people with borderline personality disorder whose extreme emotional suffering led to self-harming behavior and suicide attempts, the therapy is now applied to other conditions involving emotion dysregulation, particularly when other treatments have failed.
What happens in DBT?
Individuals meet weekly with their therapist to discuss their experiences relating to moods, behavior, and skills. Using checklists they maintain, they review emotional experiences and positive practices they engage in. The diaries help individuals discern what led up to a specific problem encountered, this is followed by discussion of the consequences of their actions. In addition, individuals may meet in class-like small groups to learn skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance.
How long does DBT last?
Because it is intended to establish long-lasting behavioral change among those with persistent problems, DBT is designed to last six months to a year. DBT includes both weekly sessions of individual therapy and weekly skills-training sessions conducted in small groups. Studies of DBT have documented improvement within a year of treatment, particularly in controlling self-harmful behavior; nevertheless, individuals may require therapy for several years.