Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Cookeville, TN

I get it—feeling stuck in the same old patterns, craving deeper connections, and wondering how to even begin to break free can be exhausting. If you’re anything like the people I work with (and honestly, like I once was myself), you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking, “Something has to change... but what?” That’s where I come in.

Taking the first step toward better health is an act of courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way. As a board-certified physiatrist with 29 years of experience, I am committed to providing compassionate, personalized care that honors your unique story, background, and lived experiences. I take the time to truly understand who you are — your strengths, your challenges, and your goals — so that together we can build a care plan that is both meaningful and effective for your life.

Hi, I’m Dr. Olamide Alabi, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a passion for helping people navigate mental health challenges. I have over a decade of experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment, working in hospitals, community mental health centers, and recovery programs.

I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Samford University and hold multiple degrees in nursing, law, and agricultural economics. My diverse background, having studied in Nigeria, and the U.S., helps me provide culturally competent and inclusive care.

I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and empowered on their journey to wellness.

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 tend to work well with people whose lives or mental health do not fit neatly into one box. Many of the people I work with are dealing with anxiety, trauma, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, substance use, relationship stress, or family conflict, and they often understand the pattern but still feel stuck in it. If you feel overwhelmed, reactive, burned out, or frustrated that insight alone has not created change, I want therapy to be a place where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making sense of what is happening beneath the surface.