Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Franklin, TN

I’m a Fully Licensed Clinical Psychologist (TN, CO) with 20+ years of experience supporting folks through Life’s Challenges with Compassion, Wisdom, Joy & Practical Care . Work in Health / Wellness, Spirituality, Higher Education & Psychological Services for US Military, School, Church, Business & Law Enforcement communities : US / Europe (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany).

I deal with adults navigating fear, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, trauma, stress, loneliness, major life transitions, relationship issues, meaning, and personal growth . I believe all deserves to feel heard, respected & supported in a safe, nonjudgmental space . My style is warm, thoughtful & tailored to each person's unique experiences, needs, wants, dreams, beliefs, values, goals & strengths.

I value the link among emotional health, intelligence, physical wellness, love, work, play, relationships joy & spirituality.

WELCOME : Clients from "All Walks of Life"

diverse ages, backgrounds, cultures, educational levels,

lifestyles, beliefs, religious / non-religious, blue-collars,

CEOs, parents, students, intellectuals, healthcare providers.

I know that reaching out for help often feels like the hardest part. My goal is to make our first steps together feel safe, steady, and deeply human. I don’t just see a "client"—I see a person with a unique story, incredible resilience, and a longing to feel like themselves again. In our space, there is no judgment, only room for you to breathe and be heard.

I'm a doctoral-level Licensed Clinical Social Worker (DSW, LCSW) with 8 years of experience specializing in OCD, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. I'm trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — the gold-standard treatment for OCD — and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, a rare and highly effective trauma protocol. I work virtually with adults and older adults across North Carolina, Maryland, and Tennessee. I accept Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser Mid-Atlantic, Carelon, Ascension, Horizon BCBS NJ, and Independence Blue Cross PA.

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 love working with people and helping them "grow" through the things of life that they "go" through. A quote that I love to share with clients and live by personally is to remember not to focus on your purpose but to live your life purposely. As a military social worker my background is specific to first responders, but most importantly individuals that are learning their new "normal" after traumatic life events that have unexpectedly shaped them.

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.

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.

Wife. Mother. Therapist. Navigator. I value my authentic self and believe we all can trace life’s imprints to dive into the core of who we are versus what life has conditioned us to be. I hone in on my abilities to help all you navigators explore whichever capacities it is that you seek to grow through, heal from, or transition into. You are not just another name, but a whole light. We are all perfectly imperfect. I truly believe you can become stronger through a healthier relationship with yourself and others when equipped with the proper navigational tools.