Family Therapy in Chattanooga, TN

Change is hard, but growth is worth it. That being said, growth doesn't always look like we thought it would, and I would love to walk alongside you as you figure out what growing means for you. Feel free to reach out via phone call or email and I will do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.

I acknowledge and respect the effort it takes to reach out for help. The strength it takes to say "enough!, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired". The courage it takes to choose towards something more, something better, than where you are at right now. Thank you for being here! What if every wrongness was a strength not yet acknowledged? You are stronger than you think and worth so much more than you can imagine. The fact that you are reading this right now is proof of that!

Hello and welcome to the start of this therapy journey. If you are someone who has struggled with anxiety, depression, motivation, family issues, friendships or general relationship struggles then I may be a good therapist for you. Are you contemplating your next steps in life, struggling with career decisions and feel that you are stuck? Do you find it difficult to deal with your past and find yourself fearful of your future?

Have you tried talk therapy but still feel stuck? I am an artist and art therapist with over 35 years of personal recovery. My background is in 12 Step models, Jungian psychology, family systems and lots of art making experience. YOU DO NOT NEED ART TRAINING OR TALENT TO BENEFIT FROM ART THERAPY. Because art is a right-brained function, art therapy can be especially useful to people who are "too smart" for talk therapy. I have also begun using art to process trauma as well. Interested? Schedule an assessment!

With nearly 20 years of hospital experience as an RN, I seek to integrate my care and knowledge of the clinical setting within my counseling practice. I am an LPC-MHSP(temp), certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PSI), and completed Resolve Through Sharing bereavement training. I am also endorsed by AIMHiTN as an Infant/Early Childhood Family Associate. I enjoy working with adults facing a wide range of issues and employ a variety of therapy modalities tailored to the individual needs of clients. I seek to create a safe and honest space for individuals and couples in their journey toward healing.

Life can become overwhelming at times. I consider it a privilege to walk through difficult parts of your journey with you. Life transitions, family distress and conflict, abuse, divorce, anxiety, depression, as well as child and adolescent behavioral concerns, can leave you feeling helpless. I am honored to help you find your strength to cope in times of pain and suffering.

It takes tremendous courage to choose to walk through difficult places on the path towards healing, and it takes even more courage to invite a counselor to walk with you. I consider it an honor to join with my clients as they face the challenges in life, whether it be wounds from the past , struggles with managing mood and thoughts, issues with relational functioning, sexuality or unhealthy coping. I believe there is power in relationship and I consider it a joy to help clients learn how to better relate to themselves, others and the world around them.

Over the past 15 years, I have loved working with every angle of the family. If you looked at my schedule on any given day, you'd probably see a few married couples, some exhausted and burnt-out parents, a college student, a 4th-12th grader, someone having an affair, someone who has been crushed by a loss or a person who is wrestling through their attraction to the same gender. I often find that a person's willingness to come in and simply talk about things creates at least 50% of the change they are looking for.

Whether you feel stuck or just need support in learning to communicate with one another, I am here for you. My goal is to offer a safe comforting space free of the fear of judgement and rejection for you or your family to explore what healing looks like for you. My passion is walking along side teens ages 12-18, their families, and couples. I offer help with those struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, ADHD, grief, adoption, and more. As a therapist I have experience working with adolescents, families, and premarital couples counseling!

I view people as whole beings, including mind, body, and soul. I look at how stress of the mind can affect the body and soul. I use an integrative approach to explore the past and correct maladaptive thinking and behaviors. I strive to help course correct maladaptive thinking and to engage in the healing of old wounds. Struggles I work with: anxiety, depression, addiction, personality disorders, ADHD, military veterans, family related issues, and difficult family experiences. I work with a list of many struggles outside of anything listed here, as well.

Life is hard and we all need a supportive safe space from time to time to process and heal. I walk with my clients through the trials of life with compassion and 30 years of experience bringing an accepting presence, clinical expertise and if desired, the wisdom of a Christian worldview.

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.

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." -Desmond Tutu When we can hear our complete inner voice, we are able to begin tearing away from shame and move toward hope. Relationships & community are the most important parts of our life. This can include relationship with your spouse/partner, family, friends, spirituality, self, etc. Family and friends are a wonderful resource in order to better our relationships but sometimes we need a different place to talk about who we are, what we are struggling with, and how to make sense of our lives.

Through the therapeutic relationship, I provide a safe and inviting place to be vulnerable, to process life adjustments, and to begin learning healthy coping skills. I have 10 years of experience engaging in counseling relationships with children, adolescents, and adults in the Chattanooga area. I believe that change begins in the context of an authentic relationship and that every unique story deserves to be heard. Drawing from family systems, interpersonal, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, I provide evidence-based therapy for both individuals and families.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, my passion is working with people who are struggling with relational issues, trauma, depression, or coping with life transitions such as the loss of a loved one. My goal is to assist you in developing skills that will help you to navigate life's challenges, and that help to build and maintain healthy lasting relationships. Often, our struggles make us feel like there is nothing we can do to change ourselves or our situations. I am here to say that it is okay to feel this way, and even more so, it is okay to ask for help.

My passion is supporting individuals and couples wrestling with life stressors, relational difficulties, grief, family dynamics, or trauma. Maybe you are in a life transition, feeling alone and lost. Maybe you don’t feel connected to those around you. Maybe the past haunts you and you’re just not sure how to overcome it. We’ve all experienced one challenge or another (I know. I’m human, too). Therapy can be intimidating. Just know, you’ve already been courageous – you recognized the need for change. Now, you’re looking for a therapist to join you. As a therapist, I seek to bring my true self into the room.

Good therapy helps promote clarity and progress toward change. I believe that therapy can provide the safety needed for self-exploration and for support in times of stress. And I believe that this safety is created through a trusting therapeutic alliance, which I rely heavily on in my practice. As a clinical social worker, I provide psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults who have a broad range of reasons for seeking therapy - these may include anxiety, depression, family conflict, low self-esteem, relationship struggles, parenting concerns, trauma, and loss.

I help people who have lost their way get reconnected--to spouse or family, to God, or to their own dreams and goals. I work with individuals, couples, and families struggling through issues such as addiction that create distance among those they love; with individuals pursuing spiritual healing from emotional wounds; and with people grappling with cultural identity, transition, and stress, such as missionaries and children of missionaries. I have an eclectic approach for counseling individuals that integrates interpersonal, narrative, and strengths-based elements with my Christian worldview, and am buildling experience using Gottman Method Therapy for working with couples.

Seeking a compassionate and understanding space to navigate life's challenges? We all need someone who will listen, comfort, and guide us toward healing. Whether you're dealing with relationship issues, family dynamics, or personal struggles, I am here to support you on your journey toward well-being and fulfillment. Most of my clients come in with struggles such as anxiety, depression, first-generation experiences, perfectionism, and work/life balance.