Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Nashville, 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

I’m Monique Watson, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 20 years of experience, and I started this practice to ensure every patient has a space where they feel truly heard. I hold a post-master’s degree and specialize in helping people navigate anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression through a supportive, collaborative approach.

Great to meet you. Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you're carrying emotional pain, relationship challenges, or life circumstances that have left you feeling stuck or disconnected. I work with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, family conflict, trauma, grief and loss, identity concerns, and major life transitions. I understand that every person's story is different, and I believe healing begins by creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. Whether you're struggling with overwhelming emotions, navigating changes within your family, coping with loss, or trying to better understand yourself, therapy can provide an opportunity to gain insight, build healthier coping skills, and reconnect with what matters most to you. My goal is to help you move toward greater balance, emotional wellness, and a more fulfilling life.

You might look like you have everything together on the outside, but inside you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or mentally exhausted from carrying so much for so long. When you’re used to being the strong one, it can be hard to slow down or ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone. I provide a supportive space where you can understand your emotions, reduce stress, and begin moving toward feeling more balanced, confident, and in control.

If you're feeling stuck — wrestling with anxiety that won't quiet down, a mood that swings without warning, anger that surfaces faster than you'd like, or the weight of past trauma — you don't have to sort through it alone. I work with adults who are juggling demanding lives while quietly carrying ADHD, depression, grief, chronic pain, or relationship strain that's hard to put into words.

I came to this work after 20 years as a broadcast operations engineer. When an injury changed my path, I earned my Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and I've been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 2019. I've practiced in integrated medical clinics with clients of every age, in intensive outpatient care, and in residential settings, and today I work primarily with adults over telehealth across Tennessee.

I see my role as helping you understand where your struggles come from, get clear on what you want therapy to change, and build a concrete, step-by-step plan to get there

I bring an open mind and an open heart when working with my clients. I want to help my clients understand that they are not a problem, but the problem is the problem. I respect my clients and work hard to make them feel heard. I work to support my clients in their circumstances and meet them where they are. I have training in EMDR and narrative therapy. I endeavor to provide treatment that is trauma informed. I use CBT skills as well as other interventions.

Hi, I’m Ashton, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for those seeking clarity, relief, and a sense of steadiness in their lives.