Therapists for college students near Nashville, TN

Pursuing higher education, whether starting college, returning after time away, or continuing into graduate school, can be exciting and rewarding. Yet it can also bring stress, uncertainty, and moments of self-doubt. Balancing academic expectations, relationships, and personal well-being isn’t easy, and many students feel pressure to manage it all on their own. At Christina Cares Counseling, LLC, I offer a compassionate, supportive space for adults navigating the unique challenges of college and graduate life. Together, we can work through anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the struggle to find balance and direction. I bring over 15 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, independently licensed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, build resilience, and find relief through honest conversation, understanding, and practical tools for growth. I also accept several insurance plans through Headway to make it easier to start therapy. These include: • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut (in Connecticut) • Quest Behavioral Health (in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee) • Cigna (in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee) • Carelon Behavioral Health (in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee) • Aetna (in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee) • Ascension (SmartHealth) (in Tennessee) …with more insurance options coming soon. You don’t have to do this alone; healing and change happen through connection, and therapy can be a place to find both.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. For me, being a physician is more than a profession—it is a vocation to help indviduals flourish. My practice is devoted to students and young adults seeking thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that extends beyond symptom relief. I provide comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, nutritional, lifestyle, and psychological factors—including laboratory testing when clinically appropriate—to identify the contributors to emotional and cognitive health. I also specialize in evidence-based de-prescribing for patients who wish to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications for anxiety, attention difficulties, or substance use disorders. My approach is guided by precision, humility, and restraint: using the least intensive intervention necessary while drawing upon the full breadth of evidence-based medicine. Depending on each patient's needs and goals, I integrate psychotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, exercise, targeted supplementation, and, when appropriate, carefully selected medications into a personalized treatment plan. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented internationally on psychiatric deprescribing and medical ethics. My work has been recognized with awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and other leading professional organizations. I am the Founder & Medical Director of Verigrate Health. I am licensed to serve patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.

James is accepting new clients at Serenity Counseling and Mediation Center, a trusted organization dedicated to providing compassionate mental health and mediation services in Gallatin, TN. To learn more about Serenity Counseling, its mission, and appointment scheduling, visit serenitycounselingtn.com. About Me: James Milbrandt is a graduate of Capella University, a CACREP-accredited institution, where he has earned his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Prior to embarking on this educational journey, James spent over a decade in the music and entertainment industry as a Director of Information Technology. During this time, he honed his problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Driven by a deep passion for helping others overcome challenges and achieve personal growth, he is now dedicated to mastering the knowledge and techniques needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. As a proud Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Tennessee Counseling Association (TCA), and the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association (TLPCA), James is excited to combine his diverse professional background with his growing counseling expertise to make a meaningful and lasting impact in his community. As a Post Master's Counselor, James is fulfilling the mandatory supervision requirements for professional licensure under Tennessee state guidelines.

You’ve heard that life is a journey. Actually, we believe that life is about multiple journeys. Perhaps your most important is the exploration to help you heal. It is the one where you gain insight into your mind and heart. At Insightful Journey, we serve as your guides to help you overcome roadblocks such as depression, anxiety, and trauma that are preventing you from being successful. Everyone’s quest is unique, so we take a personalized approach to help get you on track to reach your destination. We explore your unconscious thoughts and beliefs that are obstructing the path to achieving your goals. This allows us to offer guidance and insight along the way while teaching you coping skills, understanding who you are and learning to live the life you desire. It takes courage to travel on this journey of self-discovery. You’ve taken the first step. Just the fact that you are learning about us means that you have the determination to succeed. You will face many challenges that will often be difficult. Be brave and trust us. We will guide you as you work toward your goals of growth and healing. Inclusion Statement: We believe in integrity, equity, and inclusion for all people at Insightful Journey Therapy Services, PLLC. We welcome and respect others regardless of race, color, culture, religion, spiritual practice, sex, age, socioeconomic status, perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, relationship status or configuration, national origin or physical and mental abilities.

Our office follows safety protocol with any sickness for safety and we also have online resources to provide therapy to our clients. The first assessment is in person but then all other sessions can be online, or face to face! AdvancedMD is for telehealth services; but this will need an appointment and then our clients do receive the link to my platform and guidelines to ensure effective sessions. My other counselors have their own links and this will be provided. Our counselors have no less than a Masters degree and above. We offer Spanish and English. We have one counselor who is African American, one from the UK, and 6 counselors total, along with a Spanish translator receptionist. Our receptionists are a mix of male and female and race backgrounds. I am an alumni from UTC where I graduated with highest honors with my Bachelors in Science, Psychology degree. And I graduated with a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from Grand University. I graduated with 4.0 GPA. I had lived through many transitions in my life and have that experience along with my educational experience that fuels my knowledge, and although both are vast; they pale to my heart that seeks to help. I have served 9 counties providing CCFT, Outpatient, Crisis Intervention, and more. I possess over 80 specialized certificates. My team are as remarkable! We are all versed with specialties and work with ages 4-100! Today, several of my counselors and I am licensed in Tennessee and serve marriages, couples, children, and individuals regarding a vast array of issues. I meet with many who have suffered trauma, and help many with anxiety and depression. We have domestic violence prevention certified programs, along with anger management, parenting, and substance abuse! We have certified brainspotting counselors, EMDR, DBT, CBT, IFS, and other specialities. We also have an addictions counselor who specializes in drug and other addiction issues. Another, marriage and family issues. We have you covered. I have 14 years of nurse assistance work, 17 years of nutrition, and carry 4 degrees. Further, I have 10 grandchildren to date-and counting) and 4 children which includes 2 Veterans; and a son in law, and daughter in law. I am concerned with the higher suicidal statistics and screen addictions that are engulfing our youth and young adults especially from ages 13-27. It appears that we are over connected and also disconnected. As a counselor, I have has inpatient and outpatient services for those with major disabilities and do mental health evaluations. I am sure that someone of our team will be a great fit for your issues therefore contact us today Our receptionist is fluent in English and Spanish and can assist you! We are accepting new clients, do take multiple insurance networks, and have a sliding scale. We are here to provide hope during our client's healing, support, and enlightenment that can help with needed changes. Each of our team are with highest honors and are with heart. We use CBT, Solution Focused, Mindfulness, MATRIX, EFT, Gestalt, REMT, Motivational Interview, DBT, Brainspotting, hypnosis, and many other modalities and are always learning new ones. When I began college it was 8 years after high school and I was married. I was anxious that I may not be able to get the degrees that I wanted after being out of school for so long, but I was experiencing childlessness and wanted to be a mother. Keeping busy was something that I needed due to major depression. We did not have free college opportunities then, so I had to make the grades in order to finance this endeavor. This became a goal which required good study habits and commitment. I attended a community college first, then UTC, and then I completed my masters at Grand Canyon University with a 4.0 GPA. This paid for all of the undergraduate work but not for my Master's, which landed me in debt, but I survived. I have been an entrepreneur for 4 decades of various specialties, and have worn many hats. I love music, art, and journalism which have become most beneficial. I have written 37 songs and intend to write a book soon. I went through 6 surgeries to have my two daughters and have 3 special needs grandchildren and one special needs daughter. I have always loved people. I do not see a stranger. I am a Daughter of the Revolution, and take my country seriously to heart. Also, I am learning ASL and hope to be able to add this population to my clientele. As a small agency, we do not have interpreters for the deaf but do provide a list of practitioners who do. Hiwassee Mental Health, Heidi Ables, and other larger organizations can provide the deaf with interpreter services. We do have Spanish and facilities for those in wheel chairs to aid with those special needs. We work with individuals, groups, families, and do certified classes for anger management, A&D Prevention, and Parenting. We work with ages 4-100 since each of us have special populations in which we prioritize. Please refer to www.healhopecounseling.com to read our articles, blogs/posts and see if we are a good fit. Also, read our bios. We are empirically (evidence) and faith based. Welcome to Heal and Hope Counseling Services. NPI 1184178428, Graduated 2012. Member of CIVITAN, AmVets, Church of Christ, APA, ACA, Good Therapy, Psychology Today, Linked-in, and other. We take many insurances and your fee of the sliding scale will depend upon your annual income bracket which is found on our website.

Every name has a story and every story is worth telling. Finding the best fit for a new therapist can be challenging and scary as you step into a place of vulnerability. We all experience challenging seasons and chapters in our lives and sometimes we need support and guidance to navigate through them. I'm passionate about helping people write their own stories, learn how to move through emotions, embrace where they are at, and gain the skills to thrive and live life abundantly.

Hi there! My name is Christie Cutshall, LCSW located in Eastern Tennessee with my husband, three bonus teenagers, and two dogs. When I'm not working, I enjoy hiking, spending time with my family, gardening, and cooking. As a graduate of East Tennessee State University, and a practicing social worker for the last ten years, I have gained valuable experience as a mental health clinician. In my experience, I believe growing requires changing and improving the environment in which we grow; only then can we truly thrive! In order to help clients live my best lives, I am passionate about helping them achieve their full potential.

I was born and raised in Montana and have a genuine passion for nature and the outdoors. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at Montana State University in 2001. I then pursued my Masters of Social Work degree and graduated in 2008 from the University of Montana. This graduate program had a focus on providing a social justice and integrated practitioner perspective. I have an eclectic style that can be tailored to each unique individual. My primary therapeutic methods include Mindfulness Based, Holistic, Exposure, Narrative, Cognitive and Behavioral, Strengths Based & Solution Focused Therapies. Amy provides a non-judgmental and compassionate environment that often helps people feel comfortable. A true passion of mine is structuring therapeutic activities for clients to express, process, increase self-awareness, and de-stress from life’s challenging and developmental experiences. My past work experiences have been in several areas. I have worked in healthcare with the geriatric population, provided school based mental health to kids from grades kindergarten through 12th grade, substance abuse counseling to college aged kids, crisis intervention with the armed forces and a private practice providing therapeutic services to a wide range of people, families and couples that include helping folks who struggle with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and life transitions/changes.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing from psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and mindfulness. I have particular experience working with grief, identity exploration, chronic illness, spirituality, LGBTQ health, and women’s health. I also work with clients who feel disconnected from their purpose or who are navigating major shifts in their sense of self. Our work will begin with your story, and from there, we will collaboratively create a plan to address your goals. My aim is to help clients access their own wisdom, find relief from emotional distress, deepen self-awareness, and experience greater self-compassion. In addition to my work as a psychotherapist, I have worked as an interfaith hospital chaplain, supporting patients, families, and staff during moments of intense vulnerability and uncertainty. This experience informs my work, allowing me to hold space for life’s deepest questions and existential concerns. My approach to spirituality is non-prescriptive, honoring each person’s unique beliefs, values, and ways of making meaning.

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.

I work best with students who are trying to figure out who they are underneath all the expectations placed on them. You might be navigating shifts in your identity, exploring your gender or sexuality, or just feeling like an outsider looking for your people. If you often feel like you have to "perform" to fit in, or if you are struggling to build genuine connections while away at school, we will likely work well together.

As a therapist with over a decade of experience, I recognize that taking the first step toward seeking therapy can be difficult, which is why I want to help clients feel comfortable discussing some of life's most challenging topics. As I near the end of my education in Counseling Psychology, I have honed my experience in trauma-informed care. I have experience in working with individuals across the lifespan, but have focused my recent work with adults aged 18+ with extensive trauma and anxiety. I balance empathy with honesty to help clients feel validated, yet challenged. I believe you are the expert on your own life. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. My role is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where we can explore your experiences and goals to create the life you want for yourself. I always start with an introductory session where we will spend the time discussing the challenges that brought you here, outlining your goals, and ensuring my approach aligns with your needs. Along with the initial logistics and administrative details, I will ask questions about your background, previous experiences, and what is currently bringing you distress. You set the pace: you only need to share what you are comfortable with. More importantly, it is equally important that you interview me. You have the floor to ask about my methods or background to ensure we are a great fit.

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

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! My name is Amanda and I’m grateful for your courage in taking this step. The college years can be a very stressful time due to all of the changes and transitions happening in your life. Whether you're looking for just a few sessions or long-term therapy, I believe healing can happen with the right knowledge, hard work and laughter along the way. I use EMDR, DBT, mindfulness, and life coaching in my therapy sessions. If you've read this far, I encourage you to reach out to see if we are a good fit.

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.

Hi! My name is Matthew Brown and I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I graduated with my MSN in 2022. I work with children starting at 6 years old all the way up to geriatrics. I am here to help you lead a more fulfilling life as we navigate this world of mental health. Let’s get started!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am accepting new clients and have a secure HIPPA compliant online video chat service if you prefer online sessions. I enter the therapy space and relationship with you with acceptance and no judgment. We all have struggled with things and sometimes we need a little help to get unstuck or a new perspective. Victor E. Frankl said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Are you feeling overwhelmed and have more anxiety than usual and notice your body and mind are stressed out daily? Maybe you are feeling stagnant and stuck in some way (at work, at home, and/or socially) and can’t seem to move from that stuck place. Are you experiencing conflict or agitation with yourself or with others and your relationships? Are you finding yourself ruminating or obsessively thinking about the past and/or the future and not able to stay focused and/or enjoy the moments you have each day? No matter your age, religion, race, sexual orientation and where you are on life’s continuum, I will hold healing and safe space for you. I will work with you to navigate life’s rough waters and paths and help you find meaning, explore options, and work towards solutions that are acceptable and obtainable for you. I do not fear your problems, trauma, grief, and/or challenges. I am not afraid to go with you to the hard places in the heart, mind, and body. I too have experienced trauma and grief, and have done my own self-work. I will work with you and be vulnerable with you because I believe and trust that my story and life’s experiences are my wisdom to help others gain theirs. Please contact me and we can begin your journey to healing.