Therapists for college students near Nashville, TN

Feeling Overwhelmed by the News Cycle? Struggling with the stressors of balancing school, work and personal life? You're Not Alone — Let's Navigate It Together. In today’s world, the constant stream of political unrest, and distressing headlines can leave even the most resilient among us feeling anxious, hopeless, or emotionally exhausted. If you’re finding it hard to unplug, sleep, or focus — you're not overreacting. You're responding to real stress, and you don’t have to face it alone. As a licensed therapist, I specialize in helping individuals process the emotional toll of living through turbulent times. Together, we’ll explore how current events are impacting your mental health, build strategies to manage stress and anxiety, and create space for you to reconnect with what brings you meaning, purpose, and peace.

I work as a high school school counselor during the day and provide therapy in the evenings and on weekends. I work with children through adults. I enjoy helping clients work thought life transitions. My goal is to validate my clients feelings while also working with them to find their own inner strength to grow therapeutically.

Starting college is a huge transition, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Between new responsibilities, changes in relationships, and the pressure to figure out who you are and where you’re headed, it can feel like a lot. You might be dealing with anxiety, depression, stress from academic pressures, or even difficulties with peers or family. It’s a lot to juggle, and sometimes, it can feel isolating. I’ve had the privilege of working with many college students navigating these same challenges. Together, we’ll focus on strategies that help you manage stress, enhance your emotional well-being, and develop healthy coping skills. Whether you’re struggling with academic pressure, social anxiety, self-esteem, or simply figuring out your next steps, I’m here to help.

Though I am experienced with most general mental health struggles (depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.), some of my specialties include those grappling with - ⁃ Loneliness ⁃ Toxic relationships ⁃ Setting boundaries with friends/roommates ⁃ Transitioning to college life ⁃ Perfectionistic tendencies and cycles of shame ⁃ Relationship breakups and friendship ruptures ⁃ Procrastination with schoolwork ⁃ Comparing self to others' achievements ⁃ Negative self-talk ⁃ Time management ⁃ Choosing a major

I work with teens and emerging adults who feel overwhelmed by expectations and often leave conversations thinking, “No one really gets me,” or, “Why is it so hard to be around people?” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I use a range of evidence-based approaches to help you gain insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we’ll identify patterns that are holding you back, uncover emotional triggers, and develop tools that help you build confidence, resilience, and self-compassion. Therapy with me is collaborative, flexible, and centered on your goals. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs, which might include mindfulness work, emotional regulation strategies, or understanding how past experiences shape your present.

Navigating college life can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to ask for help. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship stress, academic pressure, or life transitions, I’m here to offer a supportive, non-judgmental space where you can explore your feelings and find practical ways to cope. I specialize in working with students from all walks of life, including first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, and offer therapy in both English and Spanish. My background includes a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master's in Divinity. My approach is collaborative, warm, and tailored to meet your unique needs, combining evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a deep respect for your personal values and experiences. I also offer a faith-friendly approach for those who seek spiritual integration in their healing journey. Together, we can work on building resilience, improving self-understanding, and finding balance as you navigate both your academic and personal life.

I get it. It you're going through a lot each day, feeling like you have to be perfect at everything you try and always needing to make sure everyone else is happy. This can leave you feeling totally worn out, like you're constantly running on empty, and still that nagging feeling of "never enough" just won't go away. Maybe you're carrying worries and stress around with you all the time, and perhaps some tough things from the past are making things even harder. Please know that I see how much you're dealing with, and I'm here to help you find a way through this. Together, we can gently work on these patterns so you can start feeling less pressured and more truly content in your life. I focus specifically on helping people who struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, and that "never enough" feeling, along with related stress and anxiety. I understand how these issues connect for you. Clients often choose me because they feel truly understood and see a clear path towards lasting relief, not just quick fixes. Imagine finding a calm and comfortable space in your own home for our sessions. It will feel like a private conversation in a calm and comfortable space. We'll gently explore those habits of trying to be perfect and always saying "yes," understanding where they came from and how they affect you now. I'll listen with a warm and open heart, creating a safe space for you to share without judgment, all from the comfort of your surroundings. Together, we'll learn to set healthy boundaries, be kinder to yourself, and truly believe in your worth, right from where you feel most at ease. You'll gain simple ways to handle stress and worries. As we connect, you'll hopefully feel that pressure to be perfect ease, find it easier to say "no," and feel more calm and present in your day, leading to more energy and peace within yourself. For our sessions, imagine a calm and comfortable space around your school or in your dorm where you can truly feel safe and open up. Building trust is really important here; I want you to feel completely yourself, knowing I'm listening with genuine understanding and without judgment. That said, don’t think that I’m only here to provide the non-judgmental listening, I will give healthy pushbacks and help challenge those unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Together, we'll explore the issues that have been holding you back, understanding their roots and their impact. As partners, we'll work on setting healthy boundaries, cultivating self-compassion, and recognizing your inherent worth, empowering you with practical tools to handle stress and worries as you move towards a life with less pressure, more genuine connection, and a deeper sense of your own "enoughness."

I believe that everyone can change and grow at any time in their lives. I don't believe that there is a limit to human capacity. I think the main reason we develop mental health issues is because they are unhealthy learned behaviors that we have picked up along the way. Which means that I think you can unlearn the faulty behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. I don't discriminate against anyone. I make it a point to participate in community actions that support the LGBTQ community. If you want to learn more about how I can help, shoot me a message.

Nicolas brings his counseling knowledge and compassion to work with those struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, or those feeling stuck in life. Having worked in higher education for several years, he is also interested in discussing clients’ career interests and helping them find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their career development. While Nicolas is drawn towards using cognitive and behavioral techniques, he recognizes that the therapeutic relationship is key to the growth and healing process and is open to using other techniques to help you achieve your fullest potential! In addition to discussing your future, Nicolas would also enjoy the opportunity to talk with you about your past experiences in life to help you better understand how those experiences can impact your future goals and aspirations. He recognizes the complexities of our day-to-day experiences and wants to help you become more in tune with your body, mind, and spirit, enabling you to better achieve your goals. He works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families to provide help and support in hard times or when you just need someone to talk to. Nicolas is honored to work with you and provide a warm and collaborative space!

Hi there! We are an outpatient practice offering in-person and virtual appointments. We specialize in working with those navigating the tricky terrain of growing up—dealing with friendship shifts, school pressure, big emotions, and the journey of self-discovery. Many of the clients who find us describe themselves as high-performing yet often struggling with things such as: suspected or diagnosed ADHD, chronic anxiety, burnout, and who are seeking balance amidst life's demands. Their work often centers on identity exploration, navigating interpersonal relationships, building self-esteem, developing a more compassionate relationship with their bodies and food, and adapting to life transitions. Together, we explore how anxiety shows up, how boundaries can feel empowering, and what it looks like to build relationships (with yourself and others) that feel safe, reciprocal, and genuine. Wherever you are in your life journey, we are here to come along side you and support you in the next steps. We truly believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship. We encourage you to reach out for a consultation call to determine how we can best support you and answer any questions you might have about the therapy process.

Ascending Self is a safe place where we will utilize the most effective, science-based, and relationally sound approaches to helping you heal while gaining understanding of self and relationships. If you're looking for a safe place to roll up your sleeves and get to work on understanding yourself in relationship to self, family, friends, and/or loved ones, this is the place. I offer my clients the best professional help with a balance of connection, support, and efficacy.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Your college years can be very exciting and also be a big adjustment. You are not alone, I work with college students on identifying tools that work for them. Contact me today and we will set up a free 15 minute consultation to make sure we are a good fit for each other.

Hi, I'm Bree. I am glad you're here. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist. I specialize in working with LGBTQAI+ young adults. I accompany clients at varying stages of identity exploration and disclosure. I also work with people from religious or high-control environments. If it feels like a good fit, please reach out for a complimentary consultation.

My approach to psychotherapy is highly relational. I believe that most of our distress in life, often in the form of anxiety, depression, or uncontrolled anger, arises from unresolved conflicts in our important relationships, past and present, and that psychotherapy works by providing a new relationship-a supportive, empathic one in a which person can explore these important interpersonal connections, come to understand them in new ways, and change them. I focus the dialogue on a person's significant relationships, past and current, and on the feelings that one has about oneself and the important people in one's life. In the therapy dialogue, I help people to draw connections between present and past relationship patterns in their lives. Central to my therapeutic approach is a focus on emotions and feelings, especially painful or traumatic ones, so that those feelings can be understood, released, and replaced by more positive emotions. In addition to helping people overcome things like anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship problems, I have a particular interest in the treatment of trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although my approach is mainly exploratory or open ended, I use more directly trauma-focused or cognitive-behavioral techniques when needed.

Hi there! I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in Knoxville who works with college students, young professionals, dating couples, marriages, and families. I provide counseling for both men and women, who need help with: anxiety, depression, stress, new romantic relationships, relational problems, communication, conflict resolution, physical intimacy issues, sexual health concerns, parenting concerns, family dynamics, addictions, career-path decisions, and life transitions. I want to offer compassion and hope for your unique journey. In session, I specialize in emotional and relational growth--helping individuals and couples grow in their interpersonal skills. I facilitate the Prepare/Enrich inventory for premarital couples, and hold a certificate in Christian Sex Therapy to professionally care for issues surrounding sexuality. I value treating clients in a holistic way, and use a variety of researched-based approaches to counseling: family systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, emotionally focused therapy, group therapy, and narrative therapy. I offer a faith-based perspective, while respectfully empowering clients to grow in their own values and interpersonal relationships.

Hi I'm Ashley! I know first-hand how stressful college can be. When you add in ADHD, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, or a history of trauma; it can be even more difficult. If you are struggling with stress, adhd, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, body image issues, trauma, toxic shame, perfectionism, alcohol abuse, and/or relationship difficulties; I may be a good fit to work with you! I offer an environment that provides a trauma informed approach with insight-oriented treatment. I will help you dig deep into your younger years to see how they may be impacting you now, while assisting you in identifying coping skills that work best for you!

Life isn't always easy. At times, things just don't seem right or the way that we would like for them to be. Life can be frustrating, overwhelming, complicated and down-right messy. It is during these difficult seasons that Sharmen would like to come alongside you and offer strength, hope and encouragement within the confines of a safe and therapeutic environment. She offers virtual counseling to clients throughout the states of Alabama and Tennessee as well as in person sessions to clients located in Johnson City, Tennessee and the surrounding areas. It is her mission to serve you with dignity, respect and confidentiality while helping you to reach and surpass the treatment goals you develop together. Sharmen Rutherford is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Service Provider, Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Ketamine Preparation and Integration Therapist, and is completing the process to become a Certified Eating Disorder Professional. She has over 16 years of experience helping clients with addictions, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD, self-harm, school pressures and grief. If you are in need of assistance from a professional who will help you reach your therapeutic goals, please give her a call today at 205.765.9155

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

When your mind won’t slow down or motivation fades no matter how hard you try, it can feel exhausting. ADHD can make focus and organization feel impossible, anxiety keeps everything on edge, worry, stress and depression drain the joy out of daily life — especially during the holidays, when routines are disrupted and expectations feel heavier. Same-day virtual mental health care is available for adults across Tennessee. Receive real-time relief from anxiety, depression, and ADHD challenges, regain balance, strengthen self-care, and move through your day with clarity, confidence, and empowerment. Fast access matters when anxiety, depression, ADHD, or poor sleep take over. This season can be especially challenging, so reaching out now can help you regain calm, clarity, and confidence. Support is available to help you take the first step — Book now at VirtualPsychTN.