ADHD therapists and psychiatrists in Clarksville, TN

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

You may feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, past experiences, or relationship conflict that still affect how you show up in daily life and relationships. Many people reach out for therapy when trauma, depression, grief, or substance use begins to feel too heavy to manage alone. You may feel stuck in patterns of anger, conflict, or emotional pain and want a safe place to talk honestly about what’s going on. Therapy can be a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and begin finding healthier ways to cope and move forward. I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, understood, and respected.

Hi, I’m Liz! I help clients heal from past trauma and uncover the root of what’s keeping them feeling stuck. Trauma can shape the way you see yourself, others, and the world—often showing up as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or difficulty setting healthy boundaries.

My work focuses on addressing these deeper patterns to support lasting healing and meaningful personal growth. For those who desire it, I also offer the option to integrate Christian faith into the counseling process.

I believe therapy should not only be effective but also feel human and approachable. We’ll roll up our sleeves and do the work together, while also making space for moments of lightness along the way.

I’m a therapist based in Memphis who works with high-achieving women navigating anxiety, burnout, identity transitions, and complex relationship dynamics. Many of my clients are successful on the outside and exhausted on the inside. They are often the responsible one, the strong one, the reliable one — and quietly overwhelmed.

My work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based model that helps clients understand and heal the different “parts” of themselves — the driven part, the critical part, the anxious part, the part that feels unseen. I am Level 1 trained in IFS and integrate attachment-informed and trauma-responsive care into my practice.

My current treatment focuses/ training are for perinatal mental health, and Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT). I'm passionate about working with the BIPOC population, LGBTQ+ population, teens, young adults, and older as they learn how to navigate life’s challenges and transitions. I'm dedicated to working with those of various backgrounds and walks of life.

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 am an individual counseling with over 12 years of experience at the Post-Graduate level. I specialize in working with adults and have experience with many clinical settings, including In-patient care, community mental health and private practice. I also provide Clinical Supervision for counselors that are on track to become licensed in the state of Tennessee.

A lot of the people I work with look like they’re holding life together on the outside, but inside they’re carrying the weight of experiences that never really had space to be processed. As a licensed therapist, with several years of experience helping people heal from the most painful and debilitating life experiences, I believe true healing begins when you finally feel safe again.

Unresolved childhood trauma, neglect, and attachment wounds can turn into long-lasting mental health conditions in adulthood.

As a mental health professional with many years of biomedical research experience, I have a deeper understanding of the neuro-developmental mechanisms underlying trauma, addiction, and mental health disorders. I specialize in diagnosing and treating complex traumas, attachment disorders, addictive behaviors, Autism, and personality disorders.