LGBT therapists in Brentwood, TN

I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner serving clients in Tennessee. I specialize in helping clients manage depression, anxiety, OCD, insomnia, PTSD, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder with a combination of medication and therapy.

I am passionate about helping clients find their voice to put words to their unique experiences. I approach each session with compassionate curiosity to provide you with a safe space to show up as your most authentic self. I hope that you feel seen, heard, understood, and accepted. I am enthusiastic about seeing my clients move towards health and healing. I consider it an honor and a privilege to support you throughout our work together.

My specialty is adult love and creating bonding experiences in couples and families. I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and an Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Helping people repair and reconnect after times of distress is my passion. I help people heal by increasing security, closeness and emotional connection in relationships. I help couples better understand their partners’ emotional responses, as well as their own. I also enjoy helping couples overcome addiction in relationships.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with six years of experience helping adults navigate ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, substance use concerns, and personality disorders. I trained at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and have a background in neuroscience research, which shapes my practical, brain-based approach to care.

I believe people do best when they’re treated as whole humans—not just a diagnosis. I enjoy breaking down complex mental health concepts into clear, bite-sized explanations so patients understand why they feel the way they do and how treatment helps. My style is collaborative, direct, and supportive.

I’m comfortable working with complex or long-standing symptoms and don’t shy away from difficult cases. I also enjoy working with creatives in the Nashville community and understand the unique pressures that can come with creative work. My goal is to help patients feel empowered, informed, and supported as they move toward meaningful, sustainable change.

As a licensed marriage and family therapist with 18 years of diverse experience, I proudly welcome people of all backgrounds. I provide therapy for individuals, couples and families and work with the following modalities:

• Somatic Therapy – Releasing trauma and stress stored physically in the body.

• EMDR – Processing distressing memories to reduce emotional triggers.

• Gottman Method – Strengthening communication and intimacy for couples.

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – Healing relational bonds in couples and families.

• DBT-Informed – Managing intense emotions and building mindfulness skills.

• CBT – Reshaping negative thought patterns to change behaviors.

• Person-Centered – Providing a compassionate, non- judgmental space centered on you.

I believe that your lived experiences are valid and essential for our work together. I specialize in eating disorders, disordered eating, body image issues, and also treat depression and anxiety. Foundational to my work are the principles of bodily autonomy, Health At Every Size (HAES®), harm reduction, social justice, and compassion.

Dr. Deborah DeFrieze

Dr. in Education

Master's degree in social work

Social Work and Licensed Massage Therapist for 15 years

Missionary in Africa for 18 months

Public Education for 33 years

Regular and Special Education Teacher

Assistant Principal

Principal

Assistant Professor