Find a Therapist in Gallatin, TN

I use a variety of approaches to find the direction that fits each individual client, using techniques that are helpful for each individual, couple, or family. These may differ depending on the concerns presented and the preferences of the people who come seeking my help. I listen to what each person needs and wants, then use specific techniques as needed (e.g., stress management, relaxation exercises, guided imagery, visualization, art or play therapy with children, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), hypnosis, dream interpretation, or Gestalt role-playing) within the context of an overall treatment plan and therapeutic relationship. I have been in psychological practice since 1979, have been married for 30 years, raised two children, and shared in raising three stepchildren, so I have many years of clinical and personal experience to draw on. However, I am always learning and growing, and I enjoy sharing the journey of self-discovery with the people who choose to share their lives with me.

If you are reaching out now, there is a good chance you have been carrying a lot on your own. You might feel overwhelmed, stuck, worn down, or unsure of your next step. You may be looking for relief, but also for clarity and a sense of direction. I work with adults and older adolescents who are dealing with stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, trauma, and major life transitions, as well as long-standing patterns that keep getting in the way of feeling grounded. In our work together, I will take you seriously and meet you where you are. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, and I take a practical, thoughtful approach that blends evidence-based tools with deeper work around meaning, patterns, and purpose. Some sessions are skills-focused and help you manage what is happening day to day. Other sessions make room for the parts of your story that still carry weight, so you can hold the past differently and feel freer in the present. You do not need the perfect words to begin. We will move at a pace that feels workable and keep the work connected to your life. My goal is for you to leave therapy with more clarity, steadiness, and confidence about how to move forward.

Are you struggling to show up in relationships, to work, at school, or with family the way that you want to? Feeling like everyday life is harder than it should be, while getting overwhelmed thinking about how to change it? Maybe you even tell yourself "I should be able to do this, what's wrong with me?" If so, you’re probably familiar with sadness, anxiety, and resentment as everyday emotions that are leaving you feeling tired, burnt out, unmotivated, stuck, or hopeless. Or maybe you're not even sure how you feel but you know something is just off... So many of us go through these thoughts and feelings at different stages of our lives, for different reasons, and it can be exhausting. However, you don’t have to deal with them by yourself. For almost 10 years I've been helping teens and adults untangle the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, that are negatively impacting their lives so that they can feel less burdened by day to day existence. I offer a combination of practical skill building, psychoeducation, and normalizing how you respond to the world around you based on your unique history. Knowing what makes you tick, will help you to feel more confident in how you navigate daily life. My approach is built upon a foundation of evidence based techniques combined with humor, creativity, and sensitivity to your needs, that can help you to make some useful changes in your life. Getting started is oftentimes the most difficult part and you’ve already made it past that first hurdle. So feel free to reach out for a free consultation or checkout my website to learn more about the work that we might be able to do together.

I believe therapy is a collaborative process. We’ll work together to set goals and develop a personalized plan for your growth and healing. I welcome individuals facing a variety of challenges, from day-to-day stressors to more complex concerns. I’m here for you as you take that first brave step toward a more peaceful life.

Hi, I'm Melissa. I'm glad you're here. I believe therapy is about more than reducing symptoms. It's about better understanding yourself and creating meaningful, lasting change. While your past may have shaped who you are today, it doesn't have to define your future. Together, we'll explore the experiences, patterns, and beliefs that may be contributing to your current struggles while focusing on the life you want to build. My approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and personalized because I believe every person deserves care that reflects their unique story, strengths, and goals. I often work with individuals who appear to have it all together on the outside but quietly struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, unresolved trauma, or relationship challenges. Using evidence-based approaches, including EMDR and mind-body interventions when appropriate, we'll work to better understand what's keeping you stuck, develop practical tools, and help you move forward with greater confidence and emotional balance. Finding the right therapist is an important decision, which is why I offer a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation. It's an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your goals, and determine whether we're the right fit for one another. Taking the first step isn't always easy, but it can be the beginning of something meaningful. I'd be honored to support you. "Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else." — Fred Rogers

Fear, doubt and the pain of your past has held you back long enough. You've continuously put others before you. It's time for you to become the best version of yourself and walk the intended path for your life. I help individuals manage their anxiety and depression and let them know that they are not alone. I help couples reconnect and remember what first brought them together. I simply want to help you sort through your day to day stressors. You didn't always feel this way, and you don't have to stay this way! Let’s work together to make sense of what’s going on in your life. I offer Saturday appointments as well as video sessions.

Have you spent your life feeling like an outsider? Maybe you've been judged, misunderstood, or made to feel like you don't belong. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and I specialize in working with people who have been marginalized, especially LGBTQ+ individuals, trauma survivors, and others who've had to fight harder just to exist. I have a deep love and respect for people who have survived lives that asked them to fight harder just to exist. I also specialize in music industry professionals, bringing in my own experience. Music was my first career! Together, we'll help you heal, reconnect with yourself, and build a life that feels authentic to you. I don’t want therapy to feel cold and clinical. I aim to create a space that feels comfortable and safe enough for deep introspection and healing. I do my best to help you be your most vulnerable, whatever that looks like. Together, we’ll laugh, cry, and experience breakthrough moments that will help you reach the life you want for yourself. I offer virtual sessions so therapy fits your life: no gas usage, no commute, no waiting room, just meaningful work from the comfort of your own space. Research confirms telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy, and that includes therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Let's talk! Call or email me for a free 15-minute consultation!

“We get better in connection” is one of the mantras I live by. We all know what it’s like to feel unwell and in the struggle. And what better way to make that happen than in therapy? I get excited when I get to sit with people and help them identify their stuck points and come up with strategies to move toward a life, work, or a relationship, they truly desire! Whether you decide to come solo or as a couple: My hope is to provide you with a space that allows you to hit the pause button, re-orient to what truly matters, and get clear on how to move forward in a way that feels most aligned with who you are.

Therapy can be a place to better understand yourself, the patterns shaping your life, and what you would like to do differently. I work with adults who may be dealing with anxiety, stress, parenting concerns, relationship difficulties, chronic illness, life changes, or simply a sense that something in their life isn't working as well as they would like. Often, people already have quite a bit of insight. They know what they "should" do or can recognize a pattern, but understanding it hasn't necessarily made it easier to change. My approach is integrative, depth-oriented, and practical. We may explore how past experiences influence what is happening now, while also paying attention to the choices, relationships, emotions, and circumstances you're dealing with today. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process. I bring my training, experience, curiosity, and perspective, while respecting that you are the person who ultimately knows your life best. The goal isn't to tell you who to be or how to live, but to help you understand yourself more fully and make changes that feel meaningful and sustainable.

Thank you for your interest in my practice. Choosing the right therapist for you or one of your loved ones is an important decision. In fact, research has demonstrated that which therapist you work with matters far more than the techniques or approach he or she employs. I like to work with all sorts of folks and am especially drawn to helping people who are open-minded, motivated and eager to learn. I have a passion for helping people improve their relationships (both with themselves and others), and I also love to lead psychotherapy groups with people who want to deepen their ability to connect with others. My clients and colleagues describe me as genuine, compassionate, down-to-earth, and helpful. I am quick to laugh, love to learn, run a lot and value my relationships with friends and family most of all.

Finding the right therapist can be incredibly frustrating. We know how tiring and costly it can be to repeat your story to multiple therapists, only to find they aren't the right match. That's why our Therapy Services Specialist and Clinician Manager carefully vet every therapist applying to PSYCH?. We prioritize ensuring a great match between clients and clinicians. After all, no matter how much of an "expert" a therapist may be, it won't matter if there's no genuine connection with the client!