Trauma Focused Therapists in Knoxville, TN

My work as a counselor focuses on helping individuals use the strengths they already possess to enact positive change within their lives. I firmly believe that as people, we possess the powers within us to solve almost any problem that life throws at us. Sometimes, as the result of things we encounter in life, be it: trauma, messages learned in childhood, patterns of thought that are no longer needed, grief, or other difficult life experiences, we have trouble finding the path to the answers within us. As a counselor, I feel privileged to help people find the paths to the answers they seek.

Trauma comes in many forms. It is important to process that trauma in a safe environment. Like an infection, untreated trauma can fester into depression, anxiety, substance abuse, etc. I have experience working with a diverse population of clients but specifically individuals who abuse substances in order to cope with their traumatic history. I also have experience working with clients who have been in the healthcare field or emergency services field as I have been a first responder for many years. In addition I have experience working with individuals of all ages!

As a therapist with a passion for attachment, child development and family support, I understand the importance of early interventions and nurturing connections within the family. My child-centered, play-based approach is grounded in evidence-based techniques tailored to meet the unique needs of your family. Whether you're experiencing challenges related to behavior, emotional regulation, parent-child interactions or trauma, I'm here to provide guidance and support every step of the way.

Celeste specializes in working with clients who are seeking to unseat, and unlock long held patterns in their lives. Individuals who wish to get to the root of their problems, and face issues that may be preventing meaningful change and peace in their lives. Oftentimes these clients are those who have had traditional therapy methods or have been doing their own self-help work and are at a “stuck” point and are looking for answers that can be accessed through somatic or meditation based work. She also works with therapists looking to deepen their own personal process to increase their efficacy and joy in their work as a therapist.

YOU are the expert of your own experience. I believe that all clients deserve to feel heard and supported, no matter what they are struggling with. While I specialize in trauma treatment, I find that the principles of trauma-informed care apply to most clients. I affirm clients of all religions, races, and sexual identities. Effective therapy is all about offering a safe space for clients to share, and then helping them push themselves to achieve the life they want. My clients are encouraged to consider their own goals and how to achieve them, emphasizing the client's strengths and self-determination.

I enjoy working with individuals ages 14+ who have expressed a desire to better themselves and work hard on their mental health. Together, we will identify areas of difficulty, and discuss treatment solutions that both client and therapist are comfortable with.

We are naturally designed to thrive. How do we move toward greater wholeness? I utilize principles and techniques from internal family systems theory, emotion focused therapy, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR, with the inclusion of faith-based components (at the client's request). I would love to meet you, hear your story, and help you move toward greater wholeness.

Hey there, I'm Shelby. I know the decision to start therapy isn't always the easy one but I hope to provide a space for you to grow. In my practice, I focus on helping individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, burn out, relationship dynamic issues, self-esteem issues, and life transitions. I focus on providing an environment that feels collaborative, welcoming, and supportive while I help individuals learn and grow.

Imagine feeling whole and integrated in your emotions, relationships, and faith. You might be dealing with problems in your relationships with your spouse, family, or friends. You may say “I don’t deal well with emotions” or struggle to set healthy boundaries. Maybe you feel stuck from past experiences, trauma, or negative beliefs you just can't move past. After a recent life change or relationship issue, such as a difficult marriage, motherhood, or divorce, you may feel like you don’t know who you are any more. Let's find YOU again. If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationships, I am here to help.

The decision to enter into therapy can be a difficult one. When you have tried everything you can think of to feel better but nothing seems works, it can be disheartening. I will work with you collaboratively so you can become more proactive and can start living your life on purpose. I often work with clients that feel stuck or just tried of walking through the day to day routine of their life without experiencing joy. Therapy is a confidential place to explore and process what is emotionally affecting you, to understand your roadblocks, and ultimately to discover a better path forward.

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, or wonder where you “fit in?” Do you struggle getting out of bed, have trouble falling sleep, or find yourself crying or “blowing up” more often?  You may be feeling isolated from your friends and family, or have a difficult time reaching out to your social supports. Maybe you are often feeling emotionally exhausted and mentally drained by routines that you used to accomplish with ease. Are you struggling to adapt to the increasingly chaotic world around you, or are you feeling a sense of loss for the life you had?

I view therapy (and the world) through an intersectional, social justice, trauma- and attachment-informed lens. I believe that a diagnosis does not define who people are, have been, or will become and I prefer to work collaboratively to determine what works best in regard to the therapeutic process. My approach is informed by a variety of philosophies and models including Internal Family Systems, somatic practices, and Buddhist/mindfulness philosophy. I provide psychoeducation and support for building resilience, learning effective communication, understanding emotions, and being fully present and embodied.

I have worked successfully with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, and family systems. I am skilled in working with depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, adoptions, foster care, trauma, and abuse. I will help you regain a sense of hope, help create manageable solutions, and aid you in processing trauma, with the goal of achieving a better quality of life. I am person-centered, skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I do not take insurance; however, eligible individuals may qualify for a financial assistance program for access to treatment.

I have experience as a therapist in outpatient mental health clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, cancer treatment facilities, substance abuse treatment centers and schools. With 10 years of serving both individuals and family systems, I have addressed a vast array of symptoms related to mental health concerns. I tend to focus on the whole body and its connections. I understand counseling as growth, much in the same way a tree grows. In counseling we honor our roots, noting where we came from while stretching our branches high and reaching for what we wish to become.

I have always been interested in understanding the world from other people's points of view. I view my job as a therapist is to understand your story and how your worldview informs the way you react to life stressors. My goal is to help you utilize your own strengths and insight to feel calm, centered, and content in a world that often isn't. I enjoy working with adults of all ages and the LGBTQ/alternative lifestyle community.

Many people seeking therapy are simply sensitive souls in need of new or different ways of protecting themselves in a world which does not always honor the intuitive, sensitive, and creative self. I am passionate about helping individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and obsessional thinking that I believe often results from highly sensitive creative individuals lacking an outlet for expressing and/or understanding themselves.

"There is not a person on earth you would not love if you only knew their story" -M. Hinkley. I look forward to getting to know all of my clients. It is a pleasure to learn your strengths and personal goals. I believe in the therapeutic process and look forward to watching each of my clients gain self-awareness and call on their own skills and strengths to achieve the changes they want to see in their lives.

Is your home full of animosity and turmoil? Are you having difficulty co-parenting with an ex or trying to blend two families into one? Has addiction or a betrayal led you and your partner to conflict or even potential divorce? Would you like your already healthy relationship to be even better or just some helpful tips before you walk down the aisle? If any of these sound like you, let me use my life, educational, and professional experience to provide you with the hope, support, and guidance that you need to get you back to the happier and healthier relationship you’ve been longing for.

Hi I'm Sarah, therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor. As a mother by birth and adoption, I am no stranger to the messy journey to and through motherhood. Inspired by the many strong women and teachers who have poured into me throughout my life and career, it is my true passion to waIk alongside women and families in pursuit of meaningful connections with themselves, their people and world. My clinical expertise lies in supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, infertility, grief and loss and trauma.