Mindfulness-Based (MBCT) Therapists in Knoxville, TN

My practice is rooted in the conviction that every living being is worthy of compassion. I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and I would be honored to listen to yours. I specialize in the treatment of depressive & anxiety disorders, and I enjoy working with helping professionals who are facing compassion fatigue or burnout. I believe deeply in the human-animal bond, and I am honored to hold space for anyone who is struggling with the loss of a beloved pet or facing difficult decisions regarding their pet's medical needs.

We humans don't exactly love uncertainty or discomfort. If you're like most humans, you've tried strategies to escape, ignore, or numb out from those bad thoughts and feelings. And if you're like most people, none of those strategies really helped resolve for the long term... maybe those strategies even cost you something valuable, like your relationships, your peace of mind, or your sense of self. If this sounds like you, you are not alone, and you are certainly not broken or crazy; you are simply human, doing your best to figure out how to navigate the challenges of living in this world, while also trying to find your place in it.

Life can feel like a struggle sometimes. We may have had negative experiences, and may find ourselves stuck in certain patterns or ways of reacting. As a therapist my goals are to explore and validate my clients’ experiences, help them better understand where our patterns come from and help to empower my clients to find new ways to move forward.

If you have ever been asked, "Do you even have emotions?" or told, "You are not processing the way you probably should", it can be overwhelming and confusing. I may be of help if you process life a little different than the average person. I work primarily with teenagers, college students, and young adults. I specialize in helping those experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, family and relationship issues, and life transitions. I am passionate about meeting clients where they are working collaboratively towards their goals through a calm and genuine approach.

Life has a way of overwhelming us and convincing us that we are powerless. I seek to work with individuals in life transitions to help them connect with their own agency and combat the lies life tells us. Whether it is anxiety, depression, trauma or grief that has control over you we can work collaboratively to promote change and build healthy relationships/ lifestyles. I work with individuals ages 10 and up who are looking for a non-judgmental environment to uncover their voice/story in order to locate power and meaning.

Seeking therapy services can often seem like a scary step, but it is also the first step to no longer holding your problems in isolation. As a therapist, I work to create healing relationships with clients by viewing you as the expert of your life. I believe the foundation of our work is one that is collaborative and begins with honoring your experiences and identities. I enjoy helping individuals through a variety of concerns with a particular passion for working with adults experiencing substance use disorders, trauma, and/or grief.

Welcome to my practice! You inspire me! It takes a great deal of courage to reach out and ask for help and I admire that! Sometimes our expected life path shifts and it can feel extremely overwhelming to find our footing and get back on track to living the life we deserve. My blended therapeutic approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness can help you do just that. I strongly believe that in order to make meaningful changes in our lives, we have to get to the core beliefs (both about the self and about the world we live in) that are driving our behaviors.

As humans, we need to feel seen, understood, and valued for our experience. In a chaotic, changing world, it can be difficult to form the type of supportive networks that allow individuals to feel valued or empowered. Through my practice, I hope to support individuals and couples who are seeking to heal from past hardships, build helpful coping strategies, and discover emotional wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment. Together, we can identify and build upon your strengths in order to process and integrate your past, present, and future, discovering a life worth living.

With over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families of all ages, I offer a nonjudgmental space for growth and healing. My specialties include eating disorders, body image, trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions (college, divorce, LGBTQ+), and parent/child relationships. I use different therapy approaches such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness , compassion, as well as a non-traditional therapy called Acceptance and Integration Training (AAIT is trademarked and founded by Melanie McGhee, LCSW.).

Hey there, thanks for clicking my page! I'm Jess, I prefer they/them pronouns, and I'm passionate about providing affirming, competent and ethical care to the clients that I see. My clinical focus is anxiety, depression, trauma and grief, and the demographics of my clients are mainly adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. Clients that have the most success with me come into therapy with an open heart and open mind, and engage with me in a collaboration for their overall health and mental wellbeing. These clients are willing to try new things but are also not afraid to tell me if something is not working.

I enjoy working with individuals in managing life challenges by identifying and building upon strengths, in order to gain a greater sense of self and develop confidence. As a clinical therapist and a yoga teacher, I am passionate in maintaining awareness of the MindBody connection. My goal is to provide a warm, relaxed, and non-judgmental environment to allow clients to feel safe and supported. My desire is to meet you where you are in your life journey and assist you along the path to self discovery, as each individual is the expert in his/her personal life experiences.

Life is a natural ebb and flow. However, when we get stuck in the ebb we can begin to develop patterns of being that do not serve our physical and emotional wellbeing; this can be a difficult place from which to emerge. The decision to seek guidance during these times is a bold act of self-compassion. We have incredible internal resources and an inherent capacity for healing. My role is to help guide clients back to connection with their authentic selves and others through the process of curious exploration, loving-kindness, and present moment awareness.

It takes courage to do what you are doing, and I commend you for taking the first step. Fear, anxiety, grief, and depression are emotions that we all experience. They aren’t unusual, but at times they can feel like a runaway train, stealing your thoughts, time, energy and happiness. I work together with my clients on managing and regulating these overwhelming thoughts and emotions, and help them to draw from their own strength to live a life that’s purposeful and fulfilling according to their values. You are the expert on you, and I will be there to give insight, feedback, and offer new perspectives and coping skills.

Sharon is a mental health services provider that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to helping others with over 30 years of experience. She’s served clients in a variety of community and mental health settings such as agency outpatient, private practice and those coming from residential settings. Sharon has enjoyed working with adolescents, adults and families. She also has extensive experience within the foster care and adoption system.