Bearden Behavioral Health of Tennessee

Bearden Behavioral Health provides compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for children, teens and adults. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists, social workers, counselors, psychologists and psychiatric providers work together to meet your unique needs. We offer individual therapy, couples and family therapy, psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis and medication management. <br><br>Support is available in person or through telehealth visits so you can access care in a way that works best for you. For mood concerns, anxiety or other mental health challenges, we can help you foster balance, resilience and emotional well-being.

Therapy and medication management for adults, teens and children.

Our team of mental health professionals is here to help you and your loved ones manage emotional, mental and behavioral health challenges.<br><br>We tailor care to fit your unique needs – and help make sure you feel safe, accepted and supported along the way.

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Careers

Helps individuals explore personal challenges and life transitions, process emotions, set goals, and build coping skills and resilience.

Individual therapy

Uses structured exercises and strategies to help individuals better understand and manage unhelpful thoughts and emotions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Helps family members improve communication, resolve conflicts and build stronger bonds.

Family therapy

Provide diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions that benefit from or require medical intervention and medication management.

Psychiatric care and medication management

Help individuals process painful experiences, reduce the impact of trauma, and feel safer and more in control.

Trauma-focused therapies

Helps partners examine their relationship and work to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen trust and connection.

Couples therapy

Helps individuals achieve personal growth and positive change by exploring how past experiences influence the way they think, feel and relate to others.

Psychodynamic therapy

Helps individuals acknowledge and accept difficult emotions while taking meaningful steps to support well-being and quality of life.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Helps children express and process emotions and experiences through play and creativity to support emotional growth and well-being.

Play therapy

Helps individuals gradually face and manage anxiety through a step-by-step, confidence-building process.

Exposure therapy

Help individuals explore their self-identity, process emotions and nurture well-being through art, music and movement.

Expressive therapies

Uses guided, structured techniques to help individuals process and cope with traumatic memories.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Provides a supportive setting for individuals facing similar challenges to share experiences, participate in guided discussions and activities, develop coping skills, and nurture healing and personal growth.

Group therapy

Helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts to manage emotions and improve well-being.

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

Afton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the mental health field for 6 years. She has experience with clients of all ages in individual, family, and group counseling, but has spent much of her career working with individuals in community mental health and crisis intervention settings, such as inpatient and outpatient facilities. She works primarily with individuals (age 13+) from a variety of circumstances.

She believes that healing should be treated with a holistic approach, and is passionate about incorporating practices that nourish emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. She is skilled at creating a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment to promote strong rapport with her clients, open communication, and trust.

Specializing in work with adolescents and adults, Afton helps clients with coping skills to manage life stressors, treat mental health conditions, and build self-confidence. She has experience assisting individuals with LGBTQ+ concerns, substance abuse disorders, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, academic issues, low self-esteem, ADHD, personality disorders, behavioral issues, and trauma.

Afton is skilled in utilizing interventions of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution-focused intervention, and other evidenced-based practices to provide an individual treatment approach that is unique to each of her clients. Her holistic approach allows her to incorporate alternative techniques into her practice such as mindfulness, guided mediation, breath work, and more.

I am an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I graduated from Lincoln Memorial University in 2015 with my Master’s degree in Nursing. I provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management services for ages 18 and older. I do not complete psychological evaluations/testing for Autism or ADHD, but can help manage the symptoms of these disorders.
 
I have a passion for providing quality psychiatric care to people from all backgrounds and cultures and those managing a wide array of issues. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming. I have experience working with an array of diagnoses including: Adjustment Disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Eating Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia, Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Personality Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Partum Depression, Psychosis, Self-Harming and Suicidal Ideation.
I like to provide a relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere for clients so they can feel at ease while we work together. I believe in taking a more Holistic approach to managing mental health by making sure an individual’s emotional, physical, social, and spiritual needs are being met.
 
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, 3 dogs, and cat. I enjoy listening to all types of music, reading murder mystery and psychological thrillers, board games, video games, baking/cooking, and all things crafty. 
 
My supervising physician is Dr. Paul D’Cruz.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for identifying and processing generational trauma. I am originally from central Indiana, but I transplanted to Tennessee for college in 2011 and have never left. I completed my undergraduate and graduate program at Johnson University in Seymour Tennessee, and during my time there, fell in love with the mountains. I have worked in a wide variety of roles from an inpatient therapist at a residential facility, to the coordinator of a family educational program. I also spent 4.5 years working in Alcohol and Drug treatment and have taken quite a bit of inspiration from the recovery community.

As a therapist I primarily work with adults, and I am partial to working with couples and families, but I also enjoy my work with individuals very much! For my therapy work I use an eclectic approach which combines overlapping skills from approaches such as CBT, REBT, Solution-focused therapy, and more. I am also trained in premarital and marriage enrichment programing. My approach to therapy is person-centered, as I believe in the collaborative therapy process where the client is an active part of their treatment. As a therapist, I aim to create a relaxed environment, where my clients feel comfortable sharing their life stories and processing through uncomfortable experiences. A particular passion of mine is using inner-child work to explore and heal wounds from childhood that we may have unknowingly carried into our adult lives. My hope is that each person I work with will succeed in identifying their inner strength, disrupting unhealthy patterns, and re-centering themselves, to achieve their goals. One day at a time. 

Outside of the office, I am also a big believer in connecting with nature and learning about the world around me. I enjoy hiking and tending to my native plant garden. My job is exploring the inside of the mind, but in my opinion, there is nothing that can replace the spiritual experience of getting outside, in the great outdoors!

Your personal story is unique and unlike anyone else’s. There are times your story may feel difficult for you to understand, let alone share with others. Therapy can assist with making sense of your path and help you to understand how your story affects your present and your future.

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I offer my training and expertise to help individuals and couples process challenging life experiences, understand the impact of those experiences on them and those they love, and utilize skills that can help even their most troubling experiences become an integrated and less troubling part of their story. As men, we deal with unique challenges, social pressures, and societal expectations that can predispose us to physical and emotional pain. I offer men of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds support and treatment for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and personality and relationship challenges. The therapeutic interventions I offer lead to positive change and include: Positive Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Brief Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Trauma Focused Therapy, and Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy.

My goal for you is to have a full and authentic life. Whether you know it or not, there are so many things you’re doing well, and I want to help you capitalize on your strengths and identify the internal and external barriers that are keeping you from your goals. If you’re ready to understand your hindrances and move forward as a more integrated and grounded you, please reach out. I’d love to help.

Dawn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and has been in the field of social work for over eighteen years and has been the clinical director for Bearden Behavioral Health for the last five years. During this time she has held licensure in Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan and Georgia. She has worked in diverse clinical settings such as inpatient psychiatric facilities, private counseling centers, and community mental health centers. She has provided emergency onsite psychiatric assessments for emergency facilities, nursing homes, physician offices, and criminal detention centers. Those settings afforded her the opportunity to work with clients across the life span from children to senior citizens. The majority of her clinical experience has been with adults in private counseling centers. Her adult treatment experience includes helping those with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, divorce, sexual and physical abuse, marriage counseling, LGBT issues and more.

For several years, she was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with children from the age of 5 to 17 on an outpatient basis. During this time her experience was both site based inside school systems and inside mental health centers. At school sites, she provided treatment at the school for identified “at risk” students for behavioral and emotional disturbances with parental permission. She also acted as a child advocate for identified child clients during IEP meetings to make accommodations in consideration of the behavioral or emotional diagnosis. Dawn was able to work collaboratively with school administrators and educators to provide in-service trainings on childhood disorders such as ADHD and classroom modifications. She has been trained extensively in certified play therapy, sensory integration, ADHD, defiant children, and cognitive behavioral approaches for children.

In addition, Dawn has attended numerous trainings and provided a number of public forums on various topics related to autism. She has studied the effects of autism in children and families for numerous years. In 2008, she founded the east Tennessee chapter of Autism Speaks and was named the community leader in Knoxville. In addition, she organized the first Knoxville team to “Walk for Autism” in Nashville in the Autism Speaks Walk. She is offering supportive counseling to those families, parents, and caregivers living with the effects autism. Her personal family experience with autism provides a genuine approach and empathy for those lives touched with autism.

Dawn is also able to provide clinical supervision to LCSW/ACSW candidates. If you are seeking contractual clinical supervision for national testing requirements, she can provided excellent supervision for you that’s affordable and beneficial. Please contact us for more information.

Dawn is Proud to Be a:
Alpha Delta Mu- The Social Work Honor Society
Member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW East Tennessee)
Pi Gamma Mu- The Social Sciences Honor Society
Board member of Mental Health Association of East Tennessee

 I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her B.A. in Psychology from Clemson University in 1994 and my Master’s of Science degree in Counseling and an Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University in 1996. I have over 25 year experience and have a broad range of skills from my work experiences. I started out in Community Mental healh working with adults who had severe and persistent mental illlnesss such as schizophrenia, and mood disorders. I have also worked with college student counseling centers and enjoy working with this population and they many transitions they are trying to navigate.

I am a P.R.E.P certified marriage counselor. P.R.E.P. (Prevention and Relationship Education Program) counseling offers couples tools to work through tough and persistent marital issues. PREP offers understanding of marital dynamics and focuses on real communication tools. I have seen so many couples thrive when given the proper understanding and tools. I also has 15 years of experience working with adoptive families, both domestic and international adoption, through Harmony Family Center and I am a trauma informed therapist.

My private practice focuses on depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. I educate about brain biology so that each client understands what is going on in the brain as well as neuroplacisity and its role in healing and rewiring brain pathways. My base comes from being a Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider. The focus is on treating the whole person. So many clients come to counseling feeling like they are “broken” or “stuck” and my goal is to help them deeply understand more about who they are, their barriers and to develop goals to help them work through issues to get them back on track. Using an integrative approach, I work with clients to help build a sense of agency over their own lives as we work as a team to upack the past (if needed) or start in this moment to build stress management skills and lifestyle buffers. We will look at effective mind-body techniques to overcome threat based mental habits. I use evidence based skills to help break down the destructive cycle of stress. These include relaxation skills, breathing techniques and mindful based cognitive therapy. The goal is to emotionally regulate the body and mind.

Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She graduated from Liberty University with a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling in May 2017. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in English – Creative Writing. Emily began her clinical experience in private practice with a focus on adolescents and couples before working in residential facilities with at-risk youth and their families for six and a half years.

Emily grew up in a military family and has traveled and lived across America and Europe. These experiences have led to her incorporating her clients interests and background into their sessions. She believes clients should have control over their sessions. While her main approach is a person centered therapeutic technique she utilizes several clinical theories which benefit each of her clients. Emily recognizes many of her clients may have preconceived notions of what to expect from therapy that may increase reluctance or anxiety. She has significant experience working with clients who have a history of sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, self-harming behaviors, anxiety, depression, inpulse control disorders, ADHD, and ODD.

In her free time, Emily enjoys Tennessee Volunteers athletics, reading, and various crafts. She bleeds orange! Emily is passionate about people and being the best versions of themselves.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carson-Newman University in 2021. During my time at Carson-Newman, I developed a passion for helping children, adolescents, and adults in intentional ways. This led me to receive a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Carson-Newman University in 2024. I have experience working with a variety of people with diverse client concerns. These include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, stress management, trauma, PTSD, life transitions, relationships, ADHD, addiction, and attachment style issues. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across the lifespan. I am currently seeing clients ages 5 and up through the lifespan.

I use evidence-based approaches to better individualize the treatment and goals of therapy to better fit individual needs. I use a variety of approaches, including but not limited to trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I also have training in Child-directed play therapy, Parent Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT), and EMDR. These modalities enable me the tools to support you as you develop healthy coping skills, build resilience, and foster positive relationships. I consider it a privilege to come alongside you in that process of growth.

I also believe in practicing what I preach. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy weight training, rock climbing, spending time outdoors, and with friends, as well as caring for my spiritual well-being. I look forward to working together with you!

Originally from North Carolina, I moved to Tennessee for college and have called it home ever since. I have been practicing therapy since 2016 and I have had the privilege of working in clinical and leadership positions in both inpatient and outpatient settings, which has given me a well-rounded view of mental health care.

I strive to create an environment where the client feels empowered to create positive change. I have significant experience working with a variety of populations including but not limited to, Child and Adolescent, LGBTQIA+ and Women’s health. I specialize in anxiety, depression, life-changes, addiction, and Women’s health issues including postpartum depression. I typically work within the lens of either CBT, Mindfulness, Solution focused Therapy and/or DBT. However, I believe in meeting clients where they are at and adapting therapeutic interventions as needed.

Outside of therapy, I enjoy spending time obsessing over my dog and two cats. As well as hiking, thrifting, yoga, and “forcing” my partner to watch reality tv with me at the end of the day.

Whether you're navigating life changes, emotional challenges, or just need a space to process and grow, I'm here to walk alongside you with empathy, insight, and care.

I am an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I graduated from Lincoln Memorial University in 2018 with my master’s degree in nursing and in 2016 with my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I also graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in speech and language pathology.

I have been practicing since 2018 in a variety of settings, including community mental health, dual diagnosis centers for substance abuse/mental health and private practice. I provide psychiatric evaluations, with diagnoses and medication management, for ages 4-85. I enjoy all ages and will continue to treat the lifespan.

My clients are from all backgrounds and cultures. I have experience working with an array of diagnoses including: Adjustment Disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Eating Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia, Intellectual Disability Disorders, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Related Disorders, OCD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Panic Disorder, Personality Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Partum Depression, Psychosis, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Self-Harming and Suicidal Ideation, and Trauma/Abuse/Neglect related issues.

I believe your input, as my client, is the most important part of our treatment journey together. I value your input and I try my best to make your voice a focal point in our treatment journey. If we disagree on treatment options, I will do my best to work with you and explain why I recommend certain medications/therapies. I work alongside therapists, PCPs, pediatricians, and other healthcare workers to provide the most holistic care plan for you. I believe “less is best” and that you can combine diet, exercise, behavioral modification with therapy and psychotropic medications, to achieve the outcomes you aspire to achieve. I firmly believe you enter my office because you are searching for help; so, I strive to provide a non-judgmental atmosphere where you are free to discuss whatever life has thrown at you. Being genuine and sincere gets you a long way in any situation. We are on this journey together!

I enjoy spending time with my husband and our 2 children, Myra and Busters-otherwise known as a cat. I enjoy all things related to gardening, singing, crafting, and cooking!

Supervising physician is Dovile Paulauskas, MD.

Jessie is a Licensed Master Social Worker from Knoxville, Tennessee. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2004, and her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in 2008, with a focus in Advanced Clinical Social Work. She currently works with various populations of adults, and her approach is person centered therapeutic technique. In the past, she has worked with children and adolescents, from inpatient and residential facilities to outpatient settings. Jessie utilizes various treatment methods in her therapeutic approach, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and works hard to best meet her clients’ needs. Jessie understands that we are all unique individuals and will adapt her treatment models to help her clients become their best selves and achieve their therapeutic goals.

In her free time, Jessie enjoys spending time with her daughter, family, and four dogs. She also enjoys scuba diving, reading, and volunteering for dog rescues.

Karen is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over twenty-two years of experience and has received awards for Clinical Excellence, Outstanding Clinical Practice, and Community Service for clinical work. She fosters a welcoming and accepting atmosphere where individuals are comfortable sharing private and difficult struggles while feeling respected, heard, understood, and encouraged. She strives to promote healing, well-being, and a better quality of life for others and believes that treatment is best when individualized, holistic, and conducted within a partnership of trust. 

 Karen has worked in various treatment settings including inpatient, crisis services, and community mental health. For the last twenty years of her career, she has felt the deep privilege of treating the severely, persistently mentally ill population in the greater Knoxville area as the Medical Leader – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in the most intensive outpatient mental health program in East Tennessee. While there, Karen utilized her skills with those who struggle with treatment-resistant mental illnesses, and severe cases of Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Adult Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders, Psychosis, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, and other mental health issues. She also has extensive experience with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability Disorders. Karen has a profound admiration, respect, and compassion for these resilient and courageous individuals. 

 In addition to clinical practice awards, Karen received awards for her outstanding academic achievements at the University of Tennessee where she earned a Masters of Nursing degree. She later served as a clinical consultant for the University of Tennessee in a National Institute of Health $1.2 million funded research grant studying resiliency in women survivors of childhood maltreatment. She has presented educational seminars for various nursing colleges on the role of an Advanced Practice Nurse and Psychopharmacology and provided preceptorships to Advanced Practice Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Medical Students. 

 Karen is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a member of the American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and elected to Sigma Theta Tau, an honors nursing society. 

When Karen is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Munch.

Hello, and welcome to the first step in your journey. I believe everyone is on a journey to healing whether we realize it or not. I hope to be a part of yours. I believe in developing a strong collaborative working relationship. You are the expert on your life and the author of your story. I am a compassionate caring professional that would be honored to work alongside you. Affirming the worth and strength of the individual and the power of change are guiding principles.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Tennessee. I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. I have over 25 years in the behavioral health field in a variety of programs and positions. I initially started my career as a family therapist on an inpatient unit that specialized in the treatment of substance abuse and eating disorders. I held positions of Outpatient Services Coordinator, Social Services Manager and Assistant Director of Outpatient Services working and providing supervision for Inpatient, Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs in my career. I became instrumental in the development of a local drug court program with non-violent offenders. an elder assessment service program that provided comprehensive assessments of individuals with issues of memory loss and family/caregiver education and support services. I use an eclectic multi theoretical approach which is person centered, starting where the client is. I have received considerable training in (DBT) – dialectical behavior therapy, (CBT) cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction and solution focused therapy.

I am certified in grief informed therapy and am currently working on certification in DBT and trauma treatment. I have a long history of working with people struggling with addictions: (alcohol, drug, gambling, sex, codependency, cross- addictions) and eating disorders. I have extensive experience with co-occurring disorders, mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD), trauma, grief and loss, women’s issues and family issues related to memory loss, caregiving and life transitions. I have case management, crisis management, crisis stabilization and clinical assessment skills. I look forward to hearing from you.

For me, the medical profession is a family tradition. My father was an esteemed cardiologist and three of my four grandparents were physicians. From an early age the goal of being a clinician who listened to and effectively treated patients seemed a noble calling.

I was born in Bombay, India and moved with my family to the United States as a young child. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1991. I completed medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in 1995 and my psychiatric residency at Wake Forest School of Medicine in 1999.

I moved to Knoxville in 1999 and it has become home. For the first five years I worked in an acute unit at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute. I believe it provided me with valuable training in treating severely ill and complex patients with severe depression, anxiety, mood disorders, psychosis, developmental disorders, and substance abuse. It was also very rewarding to see almost daily the good psychiatry can sometimes do in improving the lives of patients and their families.

For the past fifteen years I have worked full time outpatient at Cherokee Health Systems in Powell, TN. It’s a busy office, and I have enjoyed working with dedicated mental health professionals treating patients of almost all ages and backgrounds. For several years I also did consultation-liaison psychiatry at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge treating medically ill patients. Over the past twenty years I have provided weekend inpatient coverage at first Lakeshore Mental Health Institute and for past several years at Peninsula Behavioral Hospital.

Over the years I’ve treated many patients with severe depression and anxiety. The best part of my job is the satisfaction of seeing patients improve and enjoy life. 

I live in Knoxville with my lovely wife, my sweet son and daughter and my four horses, two pigs, sixteen chickens, three cats, and one Chihuahua.

I am local to the Knoxville area and received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2020. I then began working in community mental health with survivors of sexual abuse where I came to understand the complexities of trauma and crisis for clients. This experience also allowed me to witness glimpses of hope, resilience, and healing which further motivated me towards a career in counseling. I then graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2022 with a Master of Science degree in counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health. I also spent time working in residential facilities for folx recovering from substance use disorders and addictions. I have experience working with a variety of client concerns including trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, addictions, self-esteem, grief, life transitions, stress management, and relationship issues. I have worked with both teens and adults, but I am currently focused on adults aged 18 and older. I currently hold a temporary LPC license in the state of Tennessee, and I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). I am also trained in EMDR and plan to pursue certification.

I approach the therapeutic relationship with the perspective that you are the expect of your life and your experiences. I am intentional about creating a sacred safe space for all clients. I welcome, respect, affirm, and honor all client cultural backgrounds, identities, beliefs, and values. I also prioritize client self-empowerment. I believe the foundation of our work is one that is collaborative and begins with honoring your experiences and identities.

I also utilize a trauma-informed approach and incorporate theoretical frameworks depending on your needs. Typically, I am integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Feminist Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS or parts work), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The therapeutic alliance we build is what allows us to explore the difficult parts of your life and understand how I can help you along this part of your journey.

In my free time, I enjoy baking, weightlifting, hiking, and yoga. I have found that physical movement is an essential piece to my own self-care. I also have two cats that demand daily cuddles and relaxation, so it is all about balance!

Tessa Chancey is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider Designation, who has been practicing since 2016. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She then graduated from Columbia University in the City of New York with a Master of Arts and a Master of Education in Psychological Counseling.

Tessa approaches her therapeutic work from a Cognitive Behavioral lens and works collaboratively with her patients to reach their goals. She provides a non-judgmental and safe space for patients to gain awareness and understanding on their healing journey. Tessa’s graduate studies at Columbia University and career experience have focused on serving those within the LGBTQIA+ community as well as individuals struggling with substance use disorder. She has provided care and held clinical leadership positions in a variety of clinical settings including residential, intensive outpatient programs and outpatient treatment. Tessa is dedicated to empowering her patients to create the meaningful change in their lives they desire and learn new ways to cope with challenges.

In her spare time, Tessa enjoys spending time with her husband and son, traveling and listening to live music.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and I have been licensed for over 20 years. I have lived in the Knoxville area for 40 years and love the people and the landscape we have here. I have been trained in EMDR, a trauma resolution therapy, and I am working on certification in that specialty. I am certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and believe that is a useful and productive treatment for many of the life issues that my clients are faced with. I have worked in this field for over 30 years and I have significant experience with addiction and substance use/abuse, domestic violence and childhood abuse issues, women’s and men’s issues related to grief, depression, anxiety, crisis stabilization, self-harming behaviors and life-changes. I really enjoy helping people to identify their strengths and then building from there. Most recently I have been the Clinical Services Manager for IOP and Partial Hospitalization Programs. I use a client centered, solution focused and multimodality approach to counseling that will give you a loud voice in what we work on and towards.

I am passionate about asking the questions and making the suggestions that will aid my clients in achieving their goals or modifying them to meet the stage of life they are in currently. As a Social Worker I look at the big picture that includes family of origin, current family structure, support system and current and recent past functioning. I believe strongly that everyone deserves access to mental health services and seeking treatment is a strength and not a weakness.

I support strongly self-care and when I am not working I enjoy crocheting, trout fishing, cooking for family and friends and playing with my dogs, Harley and Du`mass. I look forward to meeting with you and offering you a safe and pleasant space to walk through your story and to help you be your most authentic self possible.

Therapy and medication management for adults, teens and children.

What we offer

Individual therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Family therapy

Psychiatric care and medication management

Trauma-focused therapies

Couples therapy

Meet the team

Afton Neal

Beckey Buck

Bryce Nolen

Clyde Johnson

Dawn Fortich

Deborah Della-Rodolfa

Emily Clifton

Gillian Paxon

Grace Shawley

Hannah Hutchins

Jessie Reed

Karen Moyers

Nancy Davis

Paul D’Cruz

Somer Gray

Tessa Chancey

Yvonne Robertson

About us

Contact

Bearden Behavioral Health of Tennessee