Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Cookeville, TN covered by Aetna

Hi, I'm Dr. Deborah DeFrieze, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience helping people work through anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, depression, and life's hardest transitions. If anxiety or overwhelm has been running the show lately, I'm here to help you take the reins back — with a warm, honest, and practical approach.

My path to this work has been a rich one. Alongside my social work career, I spent 33 years in public education — as a teacher in both regular and special education, an assistant principal, a principal, and an assistant professor — and I served as a missionary in Africa for 18 months. Those experiences taught me to meet people where they are, across every walk of life and stage of change. I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia, and I'm also a Licensed Massage Therapist, which deepens my appreciation for the mind-body connection in healing.

I draw on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, tailoring our work to what will help you most.

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.

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.

I believe therapy works best when you feel truly seen, heard, and safe. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the understanding that meaningful change happens at your pace.

I work with individuals who are navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, and patterns that no longer serve them. Together, we explore what’s getting in the way and build tools that feel practical, supportive, and sustainable in real life.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply curious about understanding yourself more deeply, therapy can be a space to slow down, reconnect, and move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting adults as they navigate life’s challenges, heal from trauma and grief, and work toward greater emotional well-being. At the heart of my work is a deep belief that every person carries strengths, resilience, and the capacity for meaningful change—even during the most difficult seasons of life.

Therapy is not about fixing you—it is about supporting growth, increasing self-awareness, and improving overall life wellness.

Whether you are seeking support for long-standing concerns or navigating a current life transition, therapy can be a space to reconnect with yourself, restore balance, and move forward with clarity, confidence, and hope. You do not have to do this alone.

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.