LGBT therapists in Franklin, TN

I work with individuals, couples, and families who are ready for something different. They have spent hours analyzing the problem on their own, and they are open to professional help. I have spent over a decade studying and practicing how to create change. I offer therapy that is built upon a conversation that helps - one that is focused on discovering solutions.

I’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and I believe therapy works best when it feels safe, collaborative, and human. I bring empathy, a sense of humor, and a strong focus on building a genuine therapeutic connection. I also believe you should set the pace for counseling — this is your space, and we move in a way that feels right for 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.

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.

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.

I am a licensed therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma, addiction and relationship challenges. I work with children, adolescents and adults to create a supportive space where healing and growth feel possible.

Specific modalities are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Nurturing Parenting, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family Therapy, Solution-Focused, Mindfulness and Muscle relaxation.

For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they work toward healing, growth, and change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, and Substance Abuse Professional, I bring both deep clinical knowledge and a compassionate, down-to-earth approach to therapy.

I specialize in helping clients navigate life’s most personal challenges—including relationship and intimacy concerns, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, and mental health struggles. I also provide substance abuse treatment, DOT/SAP evaluations, and recovery support using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Reality Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, the Duluth Model, and the Matrix Model.

I have a special commitment to serving Black communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with HIV, re-entry populations, sex workers, and youth facing challenges. I understand how personal, cultural, and systemic factors shape each person’s story, and I create a safe, affirming space where clients feel truly seen and heard.

In our sessions, you can expect a respectful, judgment-free environment where your voice matters. I believe therapy works best as a partnership—we’ll set goals together, explore what’s holding you back, and develop practical strategies you can use in daily life a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re seeking support for a specific issue or simply want to invest in your personal growth, I’m here to help you take that next step.

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