Attachment-based Therapists in Chattanooga, TN

Life is a journey you take toward owning your story. Unfortunately, we often encounter obstacles that distort our perspective and hinder our ability to see ourselves accurately and move toward the things that bring us the most joy and peace. Whether you’ve been derailed by traumatic life events, disordered eating, depression and anxiety, addiction, grief, spiritual abuse, or other life altering transitions, it is my belief that you have the strength and resiliency to find a meaningful life living into the fullest expression of who you are.

On the outside it looks like you have it all together. But on the inside you never feel good enough and the voice in your head is quick to remind you of all the ways you’re falling short. You've spent the last however-many-years trying to keep everything together, but it’s exhausting, and you don’t think you can do it anymore. You're tired of giving so much to everyone else while you continue to come last on your list. Not anymore. It's time for a change.

Have you avoided investment in your own health? Have you sacrificed yourself for many seasons in life to come upon a day where old coping patterns are not getting you through like they once did? Have you tried therapy before but didn't feel heard, seen or understood? Have you gone through something terrifying in your past that has power over you to this day? If any of the above resonates with you, it would be a privilege to meet you where you are and journey beside you.

Welcome! I'm Victoria. As a dedicated therapist with a passion for helping individuals navigate life's challenges, I specialize in working with trauma, ADHD, anxiety, life transitions, family dynamics, and the unique experiences of college students. My approach is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental, rooted in evidence-based practices tailored to your specific needs and goals. Whether you're seeking short-term support or long-term therapy, I'm committed to helping you cultivate a life that feels fulfilling and authentic.

In the words of Virginia Satir, sometimes we prefer the certainty of misery over the misery of uncertainty. As we wrestle with our shame & fears, we often adopt patterns of controlling, avoiding, and numbing instead of accepting and confronting our suffering as God-given catalysts of growth and even purpose. This causes us to sink deeper and cling to what is familiar and comforting in the moment, forming harmful relational habits or cycles of impulsive acting out in the long run. Know that you aren’t meant to bear this burden alone. Counseling is for those brave enough to embrace their vulnerable state and learn from it.

If you’re looking for support and a caring partner to help you navigate life’s challenges, I’m here for you. My approach is to walk alongside you as you work towards your personal growth, offering a safe and inviting space for you to explore and make meaningful changes.

I see individual clients aged 18 and up, most commonly struggling with feelings of isolation, difficulty in relationships, depression, anxiety, guilt/shame, negative view of self, difficulty with fluctuating emotions and issues related to trauma (which includes a range of experiences such as early emotional neglect, childhood or adult emotional/physical/sexual abuse, exposure to violence in the community, exposure to systemic racism or sexism, among many others.)

I use my training and years of experience to build relationships with clients that produce wholeness and healing. I believe the care, trust, and honesty in the counseling relationship can help people move from surviving (maybe just barely) to thriving. I want my clients to experience renewal in their lives.

Relationships are hard! The drama and emotional roller coaster are exhausting. After trying diligently to give all that you can, you end up dumped, rejected, or betrayed again. Beating yourself up, inevitably feeling unlovable. So you hide your emotions and stay busy to protect yourself. But inside, it's impossible to ignore that sadness and loneliness are growing. All you want is someone who cares and who can be there for you. But it's hard to attract the right person. Your friends are moving on with their lives, while you wonder if happiness just wasn't meant for you. You're so tired of trying that you feel resentful and empty.

You’re at a point where being perfect doesn’t feel attainable anymore. You’ve been trying to live up to the expectations set before you, and you still feel like you’re failing and letting those who matter down. You’ve gotten so lost in these identities that you’re unsure who you are and what matters to you. Maybe you’re wondering if life will always feel exhausting and empty. You're ready to stop the cycle of anxiety and shame because it’s overwhelming. You’re ready to love yourself and navigate how to set boundaries in your relationships.

Practicing kindness towards ourselves can be challenging, especially when there are countless voices and messages that tell us otherwise. I firmly believe that everyone deserves acceptance and compassion, regardless of their unique story. As your therapist, it would be my privilege to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing. Together, we can create a safe space where we can learn new skills and behaviors as we increase our skills and options for how we respond to all the chaos that life throws our way.

I am passionate about meeting you where you are and understanding how you see yourself, others, and the world around you. I believe in the value of relationships with others and how authentic connection can help to facilitate growth, understanding, and healing.

Are you seeking inner peace? Desperate for relief from the troubles surrounding you? Anxious, scared, lonely, sad or confused? It can be hard raising children. Typically after giving birth many moms find themselves in a sea of emotions. In this stage of life that can be labeled “blissful,” it may actually feel overwhelming. Your idea of being a perfect parent is shattered on the floor, along with the heaps of laundry and scattered toys. Your childhood trauma may be getting triggered and it can feel exhausting. You want to be fully present for your family and more importantly yourself. This is the time to reach out and get help.

Is Anxiety holding you back? You’ve always been proactive, perceptive, and personable - but you’re afraid of losing your edge. Things are piling up, getting bottlenecked, and feeling dicey. Your mind is racing and your body is lagging. It’s challenging to maintain that upbeat, agreeable, and positive outlook that you’re known for - especially when you're in the car or working alone. Typically you’d put your head down and push through. But this time? You know that’s not enough. Nothing is glaringly obvious from the outside…but that’s why internally you want to stay ahead of it. Hi! I’m Sheaba. I can help.

Therapy for MEN and COUPLES. Many of us have struggled with troubling, unwanted thoughts, compulsive behaviors, broken vows, traumatic childhoods, or some enslaving addiction. Our lives are pockmarked by pain, and wounded by those we love (and we have hurt them in turn). However, this pain does not have to have the final word. We can live a life we love, one that is consistent with our deepest values. A life of peace, tenderness, freedom, courage, and love.

My ideal clients are adults (ages 18+) navigating connection in relationship. This can look like relationship to self ("What's going on with me? Why do I feel this way? What needs do I have? Am I allowed to think these things?") or relationship to others ("Do they really love me? Am I important to them? Why do I feel so anxious with them? Will I ever feel known or understood?"). There are plenty of questions and struggles in relationships. With openness and curiosity, you can find helpful and healthy answers that soothe the anxiousness and confusion about what it is to be connected.

Whoever said “Time heals all wounds” clearly never experienced trauma. When you face something so painful that it feels like it leaves a permanent mark on you, time doesn’t just make that go away. The good news is, healing is possible. You don’t have to suffer like this forever. As a mental health therapist, I work with people who have experienced deep hurt from other people. Maybe it was a parent who never seemed to have time for you. A spouse who belittled you. That family member who violated you. Or the friend who abandoned you.

Beginning counseling can feel daunting and overwhelming. While it can feel like stepping into uncharted waters, you often seek support when you are already feeling weak, tired, and eager for change. It is important to find a space where you can come just as you are and share, question, grieve - and even celebrate - whatever you may be facing. I have experience working with sex addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, couples work, grief and loss, pre-marital counseling, and spiritual direction. I feel passionate about working with those who feel stuck- whether in self-discovery or in unhealthy behaviors.

You're exhausted and overwhelmed by life, it's just too much and you feel like a failure. The to-do list goes on forever, the kids always need YOU and you're not sure that you're really enough. Maybe you've been feeling sad, anxious, irritable, and disconnected from those you love. Or when you first woke up this morning everything felt okay for a minute, but then you remembered, and it was like a punch in your gut, all the heartbreak and loss, all the pain, came rushing back over you. You want to feel like you again, to let go of the past, to be able to enjoy life and be present in the moment with the people that you care about.