Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Jackson, TN

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.

Are you feeling stuck in patterns that are hard to break—whether it’s addiction, codependency, or depression? You may feel overwhelmed, drained, or constantly putting others first while losing yourself in the process. I work with teens and adults across Tennessee who are navigating addiction, relationship patterns, and depression. Together, we create a supportive space where you can understand what’s driving these patterns and begin building a healthier, more balanced life.

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

I help 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.

Focus on the link among emotional health, intelligence, wellness, love, work, play, relationships, joy, meaning / purpose in life & spirituality.

WELCOME. Clients from All Walks of Life.

Diverse ages, education, lifestyles, beliefs, parents, CEOs,

religious/non-religious, students, blue collars, intellectuals, healthcare providers .

Cultural Competence ~ I work only with English-speaking clients from : Europe, USA, Latin America, Canada.

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.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, trauma-informed mental health care to adolescents and adults. Value building a trusting therapeutic relationship and meeting clients where they are. I use both medication and supportive therapy to help clients manage anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress, and life transitions. Believing that healing happens when people feel heard, understood, and empowered to take steps toward change at their own pace.

Kayla, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in community mental health, recognized the profound disparities in access to mental health care within BIPOC communities. Inspired by a vision of creating a space where healing is both inclusive and affordable, she founded Helen’s Project with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality mental health support, regardless of their background or financial situation.​​Helen’s Project operates on the principle that culturally competent and empathetic mental health care is essential for holistic well-being. The organization collaborates with a diverse team of mental health professionals who not only possess clinical expertise but also understand the unique cultural nuances and challenges faced by the BIPOC community.

I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who provides medication management across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. I have experience treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, other mood disorders, trauma-related symptoms, irritability, impulse control concerns, behavioral issues, emotional dysregulation, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders, as well as supporting individuals who are in recovery.

My background includes inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings and crisis intervention, allowing me to support individuals with both acute and ongoing mental health needs. I strive to create a supportive, respectful space where clients feel heard and understood. I also work with families and caregivers when appropriate to support continuity of care.

If you feel like you don't quite recognize yourself anymore — mood swings that come out of nowhere, anxiety that wasn't there before, old wounds resurfacing you thought you'd already dealt with — you're not imagining it, and you're not alone in it. I work with women navigating the hormonal and identity shifts of midlife, including perimenopause and menopause, helping you understand what's happening beneath the surface so we can do more than just manage symptoms, and actually get to what's underneath them. I'm a licensed professional counselor (LPC-MHSP) in Tennessee with a master's in clinical mental health counseling and training in EMDR, DBT, CBT, EFT, and Motivational Interviewing. I bring experience from private practice, clinical roles in group practice, and residential treatment work for substance abuse."

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.

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.