Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists in Sewanee, TN

Most of the folks I work with have experienced relational trauma (abuse/neglect), dysfunctional family systems, and/or social marginalization. Our brains and nervous systems are incredibly resilient and creative in adapting to these challenges. Ironically, sometimes the very adaptations that once helped us survive keep us stuck in painful patterns. My clients often struggle with chronic anxiety, panic attacks, overwhelming emotions, or numbness and disconnection. They may feel intense self-doubt or internal criticism. They may long for close connections but also feel terrified of relationships.

I work with individuals, couples, and families from a range of experiences, but find that most are dealing with some form of anxiety, depression, or shame-based symptoms. It can be very difficult to address these issues with others in our lives for a number of valid and practical reasons. As a therapist, I offer a safe, private, and nonjudgemental space for people to begin discussing and exploring these often uncomfortable parts of self, with the hope that more understanding will lead to a lessening of symptoms, as well as a clearer path forward.

I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy at any point in time. Humans experience both immense joy and deep grief and trauma. Sometimes the latter overwhelms our ability to see the joy in our life or makes us feel like we are not living as we were meant to. If you keep feeling stuck no matter what you've tried to do on your own or in other therapies, that normally means there is trauma or pain that has not been processed yet. Enter me, I'm not like a regular therapist; I'm a cool therapist (I'm actually not cool, but I think I can be fun even when therapy isn't always the most fun). I want to help you feel unstuck.

Do you feel stuck? Are you struggling with knowing what to do, but having a hard time getting there? Maybe you don't know where to begin! When working with clients I come from a holistic approach. We are all created with a mind, body and soul; therapy with me will tend to all parts of you. I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS and EFT- all evidenced based practices proven to be effective for treating trauma, depression, anxiety and other issues. Through talking and engaging in more structured interventions during therapy, you can begin to heal and create a value driven, purposeful life filled with joy and contentment.

I believe we all have the intrinsic wisdom to know what we need to live balanced, fulfilling lives. Sometimes the behaviors and beliefs we learn to cope with overwhelming life experiences separate us from that wisdom. We learn to adapt in ways that help us survive. My hope is to provide a non-judgmental, compassionate setting to explore and address barriers to authentic living. I am trained in, and primarily work with, the internal family systems (IFS) model. IFS is a non-pathologizing, evidence-based model that helps us rediscover our authentic selves and explore our intricate systems.

Every human at one point or another needs help on their journey in life. Perhaps you are feeling stuck or disconnected, experiencing a loss, or in the midst of a life transition. Maybe life feels overwhelming or your ways of being (beliefs and strategies) are no longer working for you or you are just longing for things to be different but aren’t sure where to even start. It takes great courage to find a counselor and begin the process of healing and wholeness that can come through therapy. I understand this as I have experienced my own transformative growth and healing through personal therapy.

My clients have complicated family relationships, which often include addiction, boundary conflicts, or a lack of emotional understanding. They tend to be anxious overthinkers, striving to break intergenerational cycles, but they struggle to connect with themselves on a deeper level. Our work together will focus on increasing your emotional understanding, identifying the patterns that are keeping you from living the life you desire, and moving into a space of self-acceptance.

Alex provides a place for individuals, couples, and families to engage their stories, explore their hearts, and begin to live the life they long for again. His approach is influenced by IFS, EFT, narrative therapy, psychodynamic theories, and existential philosophy. Alex works with people who have experienced life’s heartache and long to find life more fulfilling. He interweaves the IFS approach with his EMDR training to heal trauma and reduce anxiety/ depression. He works with couples to find a common language, allowing for a deeper conversation, healing in areas of relational woundedness, and a more connected relationship.

Life is filled with so much beauty and pain. We have all been through more than enough difficulties in the past few years. Perhaps what is currently challenging for you has also brought up wounds from your past. Perhaps you are overwhelmed and can no longer manage your emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. Perhaps you feel ashamed or alone or hopeless. I am here to help.

Are you wondering if your life could be more free, authentic, or beautiful than it has been? I’m here to help you get from “not this” to “this, instead”. My clients have described me as warm and grounding. I am comfortable holding steadiness during emotional moments as well as challenging your blind spots with kindness. I believe in the power of humor to soften the heaviness of our stories. My hope is that it is incredibly obvious how much I love my job and how wonderful it is to show up for you. Learn more on my website: goldenhourcounseling.org

Being a human can be tough. My practice is centered upon helping people deepen their human experience and live a more embodied, present life. Many of my clients are creative people hoping to harness their power, individuals who have experienced early childhood trauma, or people who simply feel "wounded". Our “body memories” & old stories can often be limiting us from our fullest potential of healing. With a neuro-experiential framework, I offer specializations in life transitions, attachment wounds, relational healing, addictions and self soothing behaviors, building self worth, LGBTQIA+ issues, and managing complex emotions.

As a compassionate therapist, I specialize in supporting teens and adults navigating through challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, anger, grief, and relational conflicts. Drawing from the transformative Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapeutic model, I empower clients to cultivate curiosity, calm, creativity, clarity, courage, compassion, and connectedness within themselves and their relationships. Additionally, I integrate Restoration Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to tailor treatment to each individual's needs. I aim to guide clients on a journey towards enhanced well-being and healing.

Has traditional talk therapy fallen short in helping you find the root of the issues you repeatedly face? Are you struggling to understand and change the patterns that keep you feeling stuck and disconnected? You may be struggling to navigate relationships, battle loud negative self-talk, or experience debilitating feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment. If these experiences sound all too familiar, you're in the right place. I aim to equip my clients with the skills to manage difficult thoughts and emotional experiences, navigate relationship struggles, and heal their trauma from the root.

I hear folks on my therapy couch often ask these questions: "Why can't I get a hold on these anxious feelings?" "Why am I still repeating these same patterns?" "Why does (experience) bring up so much (emotion) for me?" I help adults and adolescents (16+) translate this curiosity into insight to develop emotion regulation skills, a sense of self rooted in integrity instead of shame, and more mindfulness in their relationships. I work mostly with anxiety, LGBTQIA+ issues, depression, emotion regulation difficulty, relationship issues, spirituality, and grief, including “identity grief” (grieving the life we thought we’d live).