Find a Therapist in Cookeville, TN

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.

My approach to helping others is through understanding and compassion. Healing is able to show up when someone feels a sense of what Carl Rogers called " unconditional positive regard" and safety. I prefer to meet another person where they are and together find solutions to the reasons they have come to therapy. When the emotional part of our life is suffering, all areas are affected. Helping you understand how your past is affecting your present, can be an integral part of therapy and developing self-compassion. Often, we will use a whole-person approach, seeking to find ways to heal the body, mind, emotion(s) and spirit. Additionally, we will use a combination of ACT, Somatic, DBT, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic, and EMDR trauma healing strategies to help you feel better. Reach out today and start your journey to feeling more purpose, peace, and contentment with your life! Feeling better is possible, even in current stressful and uncertain times.

Evening Availability Telehealth only – Maybe you are aware of what issues you need help to resolve, and are needing help with the next step, maybe you have an “itch” that something is not quite right but you are not sure what direction to take, or maybe you are feeling lost or confused in this adventure we call life. I welcome all to participate in the therapy process, regardless of where a person is in that journey. I am honored to meet every person in their current space, whether it means starting with building the beginning steps of insight, or continuing work on a long-discovered issue. I have worked with individuals from a variety of backgrounds in various types of settings, ranging from inpatient, the court system, community mental health, and private practice, and have had the pleasure of helping clients with a multitude of issues, including trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), substance use, depression, anxiety, grief, and marital conflict. I understand that being on the journey of self-discovery can be one of the most challenging journeys that we go on as humans, but I hope that you will recruit me as an ally to walk beside you. I look forward to the privilege of connecting with you and sharing the roads of life as you navigate challenges and obstacles in your soul-searching.

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.

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.