Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Johnson City, TN

I’m so excited that you found me and we get to do this journey together! What a privilege to walk by your side as you courageously take those first steps towards health, healing and wholeness. I’ve been a therapist for almost 10 years and have practiced in a variety of clinical settings. I’ve held space for clients and therapists experiencing the crushing pain of trauma and taught them skills to restore hope. I would love to join you as we learn how to do hard things together!

If you're a parent watching your child struggle, a teen who feels like no one gets it, or an adult carrying more than you know how to name, you're in the right place. I work with clients across every stage of life, from toddlers to seniors, and I understand that anxiety, depression, and trauma don't look the same at every age. Over the years I've sat with people through some of their hardest moments, and I've learned that healing starts with having one person who won't flinch at what you bring into the room.

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.

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.