Female Therapists in Cookeville, TN

I utilize a trauma focused, client centered approach to work with those with a history of trauma (PTSD/CPTSD), anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and relationship difficulties such as family and/or intimate partner dynamics. I am able to provide therapy to those who have been harmed by toxic religion and have a desire to deconstruct/reconstruct their current or past faith practice. I'm also comfortable processing issues of systemic oppression, trauma, and racism. I am able to work with teens, adults, couples, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. I am able to offer in person or live virtual sessions.

My specialty is working with clients who may seem like they have it together on the outside, but inside they feel chaotic. They often struggle with perfectionism, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship issues, embarrassment, excessive guilt, and fear that something is wrong with them. They often have stressful and/or painful relationships with parents or romantic partners. These clients find themselves engaging in people-pleasing and codependency. They are looking for understanding, acceptance, peace, wisdom, and joy. They want to have healthy and satisfying relationships with themselves and others.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." Helen Keller ~~~ I believe all individuals desire joy, hope and happiness and often get so caught up in the difficulties in life, they lose hope in finding these things in their lives again. If in some small way, I can restore hope which leads an another individual to joy and happiness in their lives, then His purpose has been fulfilled. Every person has a plan and purpose in their lives and my desire is to help them reconnect with their plan and purpose.

"We think we listen but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know." Carl Rogers - Everyone at one time or another deals with sometimes more than they can handle and needs someone to really listen to them. I want to offer a safe and non-judgmental environment where you can be heard. My goal is to really understand and to help you through what you are facing. To help you reach your fullest potential and to increase your self-awareness. I want to create an environment where you can really discover who you are.

There comes a time when you realize that you need help. "Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase", MLK Jr. I believe no one wants to live in misery and the first step is asking for help. I believe in helping others to reaffirm their positivity and build on the ones that are struggles. My goal in therapy is for my clients to feel at ease and know they are not alone. To help them deal with the multitude of issues that sometimes can bring pain and help them on the path of healing.

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” C.S.Lewis It starts with having someone there to listen; to you and your story. I provide a safe space to talk about the things that are hardest to talk about. For an adult that could be the grief of a loved one, the depression or anxiety that holds you back daily, or a confusing relationship that needs untangling. For a child it could mean talking about something scary that happened, exploring feelings of wanting to hurt themselves, or learning to talk to others in a way that they feel understood. Start the journey to healing today.

Mary Linkous LPC-MHSP is a professional counselor with over 15 years of agency counseling experience. Mary has experience with and enjoys working with adolescents, and adults in transition periods of life including divorce, empty nest, and career change. Mary also specializes in counseling for mental health and other service professionals encouraging personal wellness and work-life balance. Mary utilizes a practical, person-centered total wellness approach to counseling incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care and trauma based therapy. Mary offers evening and weekend sessions.