Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Knoxville, 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.

Reaching out for support can be one of the hardest steps, and I strive to create a space where you feel safe, heard, and accepted without judgment. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, navigate life’s challenges, and build the tools you need to create meaningful, lasting change.

I work with those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, life transitions, grief, self-esteem concerns, and relationship challenges. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by your past, struggling to cope with the present, or trying to build the future you want, we’ll work together at a pace that feels right for you.

Are you feeling stuck in your compulsions and overwhelmed with intrusive thoughts? Welcome! You have found a safe place to explore, grow, and heal. I am passionate about working with those experiencing OCD, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma-Related distress and dysfunction. I work to create meaningful and sustainable change both inside and outside of the therapy office. Walking alongside clients as they discover their own resiliency and “why” for embracing discomfort in a safe and supportive environment is my goal. I am affirming of all LGBTQIA+ folks and am passionate about providing care to our community!

Hi, I'm Elizabeth. Many of my clients experienced talk therapy in the past and felt that something was still missing. If this sounds like you, I invite you to try a different type of therapy. I specialize in working with: “Things look great on the outside but I feel like a mess on the inside,” Struggling self-worth, low confidence, chronic shame, self-criticism, and "What is my purpose?" My desire is to help you return to your natural state of aliveness, presence, and inner clarity. The details are on my website (there's a link on this page) but the short of it is- I can support you at the heart of things effectively and efficiently.

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.

Hello! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) based in Tennessee. I am also licensed in the states of UT and NE. I have been in practice for 15 years. I love working with clients who are genuinely seeking therapy for their own growth and awareness. I enjoy helping clients who want to take a deeper look at behaviors and relationships in their lives that could be modified and or improved. I started my career in community mental health working with individuals who were suffering from addiction, childhood trauma, family conflict, and faith crisis. I feel like I have learned the true impact addiction, poverty, trauma, and abuse can have on an individual and family system. This has helped me create space for clients to feel safe, heard, valued, and respected in our sessions. I look forward to meeting you!

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.