Trauma Focused Therapists in Chattanooga, TN

Choosing the right therapist can be overwhelming and connecting with the counselor that will be the right fit for you is important. When you're facing anxiety, depression, relationship issues or identity questions, you want someone with you who has tools for coping; but you also want someone who is genuine and can make you feel comfortable. I will work hard to help you feel safe from our first contact. Together, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth that can be one of the most meaningful endeavors of your life.

Navigating life can sometimes be overwhelming. My goal is to create a safe space where you can process life struggles, feel heard, and gain skills to help you reach your goals. I enjoy working with individual adults, teens ages 16+, and families. I have experience in areas such as depression, grief, anxiety, stress, relational conflict, spirituality, and life transition.

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.

I offer individualized counseling for adults wanting to explore their understanding of themselves and the world around them. It can be scary to pursue the healing of deep wounds; I provide a space for individuals to pursue this with authenticity and confidence. If your hurt is manifesting in problematic beliefs and behaviors, it is time to create a new path and find relief.

As you begin your journey towards healing and growth, I want you to know how proud of you I am for taking this step! It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and to do the hard work of healing, and I would be honored to come along side you in this. Giving in to anxiety, shame, and fear can often feel like the only option but by choosing to work on yourself, you’re choosing more for yourself.

While life is always worth living, it doesn’t always feel that way. We are here to help you help yourself live the life you want — and need — to live. Not sure what that even means? We can help with that too. Our team offers a variety of solutions to a variety of problems/ troubles/sighs/ughs, etc. While each of our clients is literally unique (welcome to humanity!), at intake a lot describe themselves as lonely, dissatisfied, out of control, too up-tight, fine (forced smile), a mess, too much, not enough…perhaps some of that sounds familiar? Whether those fit exactly or not, if you are looking for answers, we're here to help.

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.

My passion is helping clients find what works for them. My heart is focused on helping people with substance use issues, self-esteem, and all kinds of relationships. Do you ever find yourself feeling stuck in these areas or desiring some kind of change? I would love to help guide you to find alternatives and perspective shifts that can help you tackle your problems with increased confidence and curiosity.

Life is hard. Maybe you're in a difficult season right now or maybe it feels more like it's been a difficult few years. Maybe you're carrying pain from an abusive childhood, traumatic experience, or gut-wrenching loss. Maybe your relationship status changed. Maybe life doesn't look like what you thought it would by now. Maybe you're not even sure what exactly you're hoping to find, but you don't think life is supposed to feel this way. For whatever reason you find yourself on my page today, it would be an honor to listen and hold a safe space for your hard things. Life will be hard, but seasons change. Hope and healing is possible.

I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who has practiced therapy since 2008. I prefer to counsel from Christian perspective but will adjust to my client's needs. I have significant experience working with trauma, anxiety, and chronic mental illness. I enjoy working with married couples and helping individuals overcome past trauma especially. I am trained to work with individuals, families, or couples on a variety of issues.

Life's challenges can lead us to a place where recognizing the person in the mirror becomes foreign. The fights with your partner, the fear of the future, or desiring a sense of direction and meaningful connection can leave us feeling frozen, overwhelmed, and distanced from where we’d like to be. Your unique experience matters - which is why I work to foster empathy, openness, authenticity, safety, and caring challenges within therapy - to meet you where you are and journey beside you as you seek to find yourself and your relationships again.

My ideal clients are adults (ages 25-38) struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, mild depression, and phase of life changes. My clients are navigating new chapters in their lives, including career changes, dating/marriage relationships, and changing family dynamics. They are motivated for change, looking to implement solutions and open to feedback and alternative perspectives. They are seeking a telehealth-only therapist for added scheduling flexibility, confidentiality, and transportability.

Over the past 28 years, I have enjoyed working with individuals, couples and families from a relational perspective. I particularly enjoy working with men who struggle with issues of communication and intimacy. My counseling takes a dynamic, interpersonal approach to seeking healing, because I believe that we grow in the context of intentional community with one another. While I am a Christian, I welcome those into my office from all world views and perspectives.

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.

Maybe you are struggling to reconcile your past with who you are today. An unaddressed traumatic event. A childhood you wish you could change. A parent whose actions you don't understand. Maybe you simply don't understand where all of your anxiety and sadness is coming from. Your mental health is struggling, and it is impacting your relationships and holding you back from living your life. You are deserving of the time it takes to heal. Your story is valuable, and peace is possible. As your therapist, I hope to help you hold in tension the reality of your past, while encouraging you to find hope for your future.

It takes courage to find the right therapist and go to therapy. My desire is to provide you with a warm, non-judgmental and safe environment to help you (or you and your partner) navigate life in a creative way. I will help you find various ways to manage your anxiety, articulate your thoughts and feelings, heal from trauma, grief/loss, bring understanding of self and relationship dynamics. I know how easy it can be to feel disconnected, I want to help you reconnect to yourself and those around you. I look forward to meeting with you!

ALL of us have experienced past traumatic events (to a greater or lesser degree) that may be impacting how we think, feel and act, presently. I’ve learned from my clients and through my own personal experience that talk-therapy is just not enough! In obtaining needed certifications, I’m confident I’m utilizing the most effective, evidence-based therapeutic modalities to help clients, holistically, heal their brains, minds and bodies. By removing the roots of a client's anxiety/depression, I’ve seen tremendous breakthroughs with empowering clients to live the life they’ve always wanted; one filled with meaning, happiness and peace.

Life is complex. There are issues from childhood experiences, major life transitions, mental and physical health, failures, and hopes and dreams that you may face. With these issues, it can be difficult to understand how to get where you're going, or even where you want to go. These issues can impact your life on every level. These levels can be personal, professional, social, emotional, physical, societal, spiritual, cultural or even undefined. Together, let's work to find balance, purpose, intention, clarity, healing, your voice... and even a "game plan" to help you cope with and live your best life.

My goal is to hold hope for individuals, couples and families until they are able to hope for themselves. If you need a safe space to explore your truth and move toward the best version of yourself, you found that space in my office. My office (Cleveland or Chattanooga) will provide calm, comfort and support to you in the toughest of times life can throw at you.