Sleep or Insomnia Therapists in Chattanooga, TN

Scheduling April 17th and later. I'm a Christian and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience treating people struggling with PTSD, grief, anxiety, anger management, depression and other trauma-related issues. I am EMDR certified and an EMDR consultant and trained in Clinical Hypnosis and Brainspotting level 1. All are treatments for trauma, depression, and anxiety according to the latest research in neuroscience. I enjoy partnering with First Responders, military, adults and teenagers to help them work through whatever issues are interfering with their joy. If you have any questions, call or send me an email.

Do you long to grow through your pain but find yourself struggling most days just to keep your head above water? Do you wish for greater purpose and meaning but instead confusion and despair are filing your days? Is the thought of simply surviving a scary one, when you would much prefer to be thriving and living fully in the present moment? Walking through life in the ways I just described makes most of us feel weary, lost, alone, and sometimes downright hopeless. It’s not fun when life begins to feel like an uphill battle instead of the sweet life you had always imagined, and you don’t deserve to have to walk that road alone.

Ever feel like the princess-and-the-pea: so acutely aware of something to the point of distraction and pain, but unable to get relief? And on top of that, no one else seems to get it? Or maybe you’re like Goldilocks: trying to find your “just right” of whatever it is you’re seeking, but your problem-solving keeps coming up short? Perhaps you believe fairytale analogies are irrelevant and are thinking, I just want help, literally. If any of this resonates, let’s talk.

Adult children of immature parent(s) or neglectful guardian(s) can feel disconnected from others, are fearful of rejection or abandonment, experience anxiety or depression, and struggle with anger, boundaries and relationships. Confiding in friends, family, or co-workers can be supportive, but often their advice leaves you feeling more alone and confused. I also specialize in attachment, human development, and managing chronic illness or limitations that come with aging, and working with women and mothers who identify as neurodivergent, HSP, ADHD, being on the spectrum, or struggle with social cues and sensory processing.

​Although I am a sole practitioner, I refer to my counseling practice as “our practice.” I do this because the time you spend with me belongs to you. We will work together to help you ​achieve success through the goals that we will set at the beginning of our time together. ​ I want to join my clients on their life journey and help them better understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. My training as a therapist is empirically based and I am also a Christian and my faith influences my work with clients.

I believe that everyone needs a safe space in which to be heard, to share their pain, to explore, to heal, and to grow. We were created for connection, and healing happens in relationship. It is a privilege to listen to and hold each client’s story with great care and hope. I know that it can be intimidating to take the first step to begin counseling, but you are welcome here just as you are.

My clients come from various walks of life from very young (18 months) to very mature (90 years +). They bring with them concerns relating to past, present, and even anticipated future experiences. They learn skills with which they are able to more effectively deal with challenges that are interfering with their ability to effectively engage in daily life, with the ultimate goal of moving on with their lives beyond me.

Couples- Are you and your spouse struggling to communicate, adjust to life with a new baby or multiple children, experiencing a betrayal, or to having difficulty in your sex life? Are you recovering from an affair, arguing family, finances, or work? Are you wondering if the relationship can be improved or saved at all? Individuals- Is your personal or family life increasingly difficult to manage? Are you kept up at night by anxiety or weighed down by depression? Do you feel lost in life? If any of these apply to your life, I would love to join you on your journey as a board certified clinician with a decade of experience.

I enjoy working with clients to clear past trauma or current blocks and assimilate the gifts that they discover within the process of unlocking habitual patterns and rejecting internal lies. I use mindful practice to support clients as they learn to become less judgmental of themselves and others and more compassionate. I believe that within this spaciousness we are able to open up into more of our true selves so that we have more insight and a broader view of our experiences. I see this as a creative, healing process.

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.

For over twenty years, I've been practicing psychotherapy in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I began my career working with complex psychiatric cases. I have since evolved my practice to include a focus on wellness and prevention. I work with individuals, couples, and families, utilizing evidence-based treatment techniques that are tailored to each person's unique needs.

"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.

I believe that people make sense within their context. And so, I am mindful of context - cultural background, attachment style, family and relationship history, etc. I enjoy the process of listening and attending, especially to those whose voices may feel unheard, such as teens, women, and trauma survivors. My work is informed by an integrative and embodied approach, utilizing various family system theories and trauma-informed interventions. Through establishing a sound therapeutic relationship and safe environment, I am hopeful that your difficult emotions will "make sense," and a story of resilience and compassion will be heard.

I provide counseling and consultative services. With the help of my colleague, Mark Shively, we also provide training using biofeedback technology. As a counselor, my role is to listen, discern strengths and vulnerabilities, and invite growth/advancement from those placing trust in my care. As a consultant, I strive to provide fair/impartial answers (in the manner of a scientist) to posed questions. Cognitive-behavioral training can address many thought patterns, behaviors and physiological states (such as stress).

Being a human is complicated and often overwhelming, but there is peace to be found amongst the chaos. If you find yourself in a difficult place, the decision to begin therapy is not an easy one, but it is a first step in offering yourself acceptance, love, and a path forward. I strive to create a safe space for you to process your unique life circumstances through an integrative and collaborative approach that values your perspectives, therapeutic goals, and evolving needs. Together, we can address difficulties such as trauma, anxiety, depression and suicidality, as well as life transitions and self-esteem concerns.

If you're here, you're dealing with something. It takes a lot of courage to seek support, and you're taking the first step! Maybe you are adjusting to a life transition, managing anxiousness, or dealing with trauma or loss. You want to see something change, to heal, or to find purpose or meaning...My hope is to help you with that.

What is getting in the way of you being happy? Of being the person you want to be? Feeling comfortable in your own body? Having healthy relationships? And not being ruled by emotions, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and restless nights? How long have you tried to figure it out for yourself and how many things have you tried without much relief? I get it. It's overwhelming. If you are ready for things to be different, I'm ready to help you get there.

Sam has extensive experience walking alongside people facing some of life's most difficult circumstances. His desire is to enable his clients to grow into their best selves possible. Sam is well equipped to walk his clients through depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and more. Sam has been trained in EMDR.

LGBTQ+. Gender. Sexuality. Alternative Spirituality. Adult ADHD Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Kink. Sex Work. Vegan. Life Coaching. Tarot. Reiki. Virtual. 420 Friendly. Anxiety. Depression. . BPD. Couples. Meditation. I specialize in gender transitions, LGBTQ+ living, alternative spiritualities, and mindfulness. Don't worry, our straight friends are always welcome too! Find out more at www.LeahNewmanCounseling.com