Therapists for college students near Nashville, TN

College can be one of the most exciting—and overwhelming—seasons of life. Between academic pressure, changing friendships, family expectations, relationships, and figuring out who you are, it’s easy to feel stressed, anxious, or unsure of yourself. You don’t have to navigate that alone. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of experience supporting teens and young adults through life’s transitions. My approach is strength-based and relationship-focused, meaning I see you as more than your stress, anxiety, or struggles. Together, we’ll build on the strengths you already have while developing practical tools to help you manage overwhelming thoughts, regulate emotions, and feel more confident in your decisions. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness strategies to help you better understand your thought patterns, cope with stress, and respond to challenges in healthier ways. My style is laid back, supportive, and collaborative—I want therapy to feel like a safe space where you can be honest, ask hard questions, and explore who you’re becoming without judgment. Whether you’re feeling anxious about school, struggling with motivation, dealing with relationship conflict, navigating self-worth, or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to walk alongside you as you build clarity, resilience, and confidence in this season of life.

My ideal client is someone who is struggling with issues related to anxiety and/or depression and is seeking to improve their mental health. I enjoy working with LGBTQ individuals and even have experience working with LGBTQ couples. Of course, clients across the gender identity and sexuality spectrums are welcome, including those who are cisgender and heterosexual. I enjoy helping clients through life transitions such as starting college and exploring career options

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes therapy should feel safe, human, and a little less intimidating. I earned my MSW from the University of Memphis and have worked in a variety of settings, including clinics, schools, and residential programs. I offer a warm, down-to-earth space where you can talk openly, at your own pace, without judgment. Together, we’ll focus on what matters most to you and build practical tools for real life. I work by meeting you exactly where you are, taking into account your life, relationships, and environment—not just the problem you’re facing. I use evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building practical coping skills. Our work is collaborative, supportive, and paced to fit you I want you to know that whatever brought you here matters. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, or just not quite yourself, you’re not alone—and there’s nothing “wrong” with needing support. So many people carry heavy things quietly, telling themselves they should be able to handle it all. You don’t have to.

Most of the students I work with are figuring out who they are while juggling school, family, friendships, and their future. Many feel the weight of being “the strong one” for everyone else, but behind closed doors they’re tired, anxious, or questioning if they’re enough. Some are navigating being away from home for the first time, carrying family expectations, or balancing the pressure to succeed with the need to just breathe. Others feel out of place on campus and want a space where they don’t have to explain themselves or code-switch. I connect best with young people under 25 who are ready for honest conversations, who value a therapist that will both listen deeply and challenge them to grow. My goal is to give you room to unpack your story, understand your emotions, and figure out how to move through stress, relationships, and identity with more clarity and confidence.

Hi! I’m Ellen, a licensed therapist who works with college students and adults. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University and have experience in both residential and outpatient settings. My work is grounded in a person-centered approach, and I thoughtfully incorporate expressive arts and sandtray therapy tools to help you explore emotions at your own pace. Above all, I strive to create a calm, welcoming space where you feel comfortable, understood, and free to be your full self.

The college years are supposed to be an exciting, fun time, yet it can also be a time when you likely will feel a lot of pressure to get things done, do them well, and ultimately know what you want to do with your future. Even though you may feel like it, you are NOT alone. It is OK to struggle with your emotional and mental health as a college student, no matter who you are or where you came from. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by all the changes happening in your world, worrying about getting suitable grades or doing everything perfectly, having trouble making friends, or anxious about all the responsibilities you have been given and are struggling to concentrate in class, you don't have to suffer in silence. I am here to provide you with the tools, strategies, skills, and support to help you restore balance and bring about the changes you are striving for; increasing happiness in your daily life. Contact me to set up your free consultation call. I'd love to learn more about what's going on for you now and see if we might be a good fit to work together!

PSYCHē is a private network of therapists across multiple states. Our job is to pair our clients with great clinicians all over the country. Let us do the work for you. Whether it’s individual therapy, couples therapy, adolescent, or family therapy, we've got you covered. Need Telehealth? Most of our therapists see people online, so that's no problem. We also offer Standard DBT and Radically Open DBT skills groups online on multiple days throughout the week ranging from $100-$125. New members can begin right away! Visit www.psychepllc.com/groups for more information about groups, meeting times, or to enroll online. All of our services are out-of-network, but we can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. It's time to stop sitting on waitlists and settling for less than what you deserve. When you're our client, you're taken care of. Period.

Down To Earth Services is actively accepting new clients for medication management and counseling services! Sometimes, no matter how independent we are, we need help. We have a passion for supporting people who are seeking help managing high stress, life changes, anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms. We have a "down to earth" group of people who you will find to be genuine and transparent. We currently offer individual therapy, family therapy, couples therapy and medication management.

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.

We specialize in working with folks in times of transition. Adjusting to changes in your life can be incredibly challenging. We can help you use the challenges that you face to propel you towards your preferred future. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating issues or adjusting to a new place in your life, you should know that there is hope for a better tomorrow. Whether you are looking to pull yourself out of a deep hole, or are experiencing transition and new life changes that are scary and challenging, or if you simply see where you want to be and need a little help to launch to that next level, you are in the right place.

Many of the students I work with are navigating a lot internally—stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or feeling unsure about their path. You might find yourself overthinking, putting pressure on yourself to have everything figured out, or struggling in relationships while trying to balance it all. You may look like you’re doing fine on the outside, but feel overwhelmed or stuck underneath. You don’t have to have everything figured out. If you’re open to growing, gaining clarity, and building a stronger relationship with yourself, we’d likely work well together.

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

In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor, I am also a Registered Art Therapist. Trained under the broader umbrella of Expressive Arts Therapy, I believe in the power of creativity, play, exploration, and expression which offers healing, not solely through traditional talk therapy, but through other expressive means – dance, movement, poetry, painting, improv, and more. I am trained in EMDR, and I value the use of somatic (body) work to facilitate release of embedded trauma. Sometimes, even when we understand logically that we are free from danger, our body still holds a primal fear response. I am dedicated to creating a therapeutic safe space for anyone who wants to embark on a healing journey. To this end, I lean into a strength-based, client-centered, trauma-informed philosophy. Conversations, artmaking, and guided experientials are always presented as invitations as I practice active listening and an open and curious mindset towards what the client wants to explore, create, and share. In my non-profit job, I work as a sexual health educator, HIV tester, counselor, and advocate. I practice a curious, non-judgmental approach and do not shrink away from “taboo” topics. I engage with a wide spectrum of individuals and commit myself to justice and equality for everyone, paying special attention to those in marginalized groups. I offer a safe space for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, people with disabilities, and those who may see the world through a different lens.

I provide compassionate, person-centered therapy for children (3-12), teens (13-17), adults, families, and couples. I believe everyone deserves a safe, supportive space to feel heard, understood, and empowered to heal. I help clients navigate trauma, stress, and life's challenges while building healthy coping skills. I specialize in treating sexual abuse, domestic violence, childhood abuse or neglect, traumatic events, dissociation, panic attacks, night terrors, chronic worry, irritability, sleep and focus difficulties, and substance use. I offer in-person and virtual therapy in Tennessee, with weekday, evening, & weekend availability. I also offer a free 15-minute consultation & accept self-pay and insured clients, including Medicaid/TennCare. To get started, the best next step is to call, text, or email through my profile or website. I look forward to helping you on your healing journey. Clients describe me as empathetic, understanding, encouraging, and attentive; I provide safe, nonjudgmental support while fostering growth by building trust, meeting you where you are, and treating the whole person—ensuring you feel heard, validated, and understood. My primary objective is to treat the whole person using an affirming, strengths‑based approach that helps each client feel empowered, respected, and seen. I believe everyone possesses talents and skills that can be mobilized to overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful goals. If you are ready to begin, please reach out by email, text, or phone to schedule an appointment or ask any questions.

I enjoy living in the corners and at the fringes of what stereotypical therapy might look like. It is important to me that those who are outcasts, quirky, different, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and the marginalized feel heard. When we work together, I want you to feel like you matter (because you do). If you like the utilization of tarot and oracle cards, we can incorporate that. If you need resources on affirming places to practice spirituality, we can look at those. If you want to talk about kink communities and how to get involved with them, we can find them. Whatever works for you works for me, and I want to help you figure that out.

I help teens/adults who struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem feel confident in themselves, improve ability to socialize with others, and cope with uncomfortable feelings.

Are you looking for a partner in your journey to a healthier mind, body and spirit? I can help you to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and improve your sense of personal and relational well being. Prefer the privacy and convenience of therapy from the comfort of your own home? I provide flexible online therapy. Are you open to collaboration as you look for effective solutions and willing to cooperate with implementing new strategies for living well? My versatile and creative approach to therapy could be a good match for you. As a marriage and family therapist, I believe exploring systemic issues can contribute to therapeutic success. I am committed to developing a collaborative relationship and will work with you to identify the interventions or approaches that match your needs and you reach your unique goals. I am committed to helping you explore and incorporate your faith perspective, whatever that may be, in your pursuit of wellness. I support your freedom especially with regard to whether or not to address spiritual issues or include spiritual interventions in the work we do together.

Katherine is a warm and engaging therapist who values honesty and transparency in her interactions with clients. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals and find joy in their lives. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and works closely with clients to create a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs. Having recovered from her own eating disorder, Katherine is able to bring a unique level of empathy and understanding to every session. Clients can expect to feel heard and validated but also pushed to confront their thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. Her encouraging approach helps clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their feelings, and her humor adds a refreshing, lighthearted touch to the therapeutic process. Katherine earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies from Furman University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina. She has worked in all levels of care from outpatient to residential and most recently was the Program Director of a telemedicine Intensive Outpatient Program for Eating Disorders and the Director of Behavioral Health for a national telemedicine company. Katherine has over a decade of experience treating a wide range of issues including eating disorders, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders and substance use disorders. She holds independent licenses to practice Social Work in 15 states and is currently pursuing her Eating Disorder Specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

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.

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.