LGBT therapists in Hendersonville, TN

I work with people who feel stuck and are ready for change. Whether you’re facing stress, relationship issues, past hurts, or life transitions, I’m here to help you navigate what feels overwhelming. I’ve provided counseling to adults, youth, and couples in both community mental health and private practice. I’m licensed in Georgia and Florida and bring over 20 years of experience to our work together.

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

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.

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.

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.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, trauma-informed mental health care to adolescents and adults. Value building a trusting therapeutic relationship and meeting clients where they are. I use both medication and supportive therapy to help clients manage anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress, and life transitions. Believing that healing happens when people feel heard, understood, and empowered to take steps toward change at their own pace.

I’m so excited that you found me and we get to do this journey together! What a privilege to walk by your side as you courageously take those first steps towards health, healing and wholeness. I’ve been a therapist for almost 10 years and have practiced in a variety of clinical settings. I’ve held space for clients and therapists experiencing the crushing pain of trauma and taught them skills to restore hope. I would love to join you as we learn how to do hard things together!

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the version of yourself you want to be.

I help individuals navigate depression, anxiety, life stress, and major transitions while building confidence and clarity. I offer in-person sessions in Tennessee and telehealth for clients in both Tennessee and Alabama.

My name is Mark and I have come to this introduction today with the benefit of a professional background which includes: 2 Masters degrees in Counseling and Divinity; TN licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider; United Methodist and Multi-Faith Chaplain; Certifications in Dialectical Behavior and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy modalities; Grief and Bereavement Certifications; 5 yrs of Private Practice in Counseling; 3 yrs in Community MH clinic as a Licensed Professional Counselor