Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Nashville, TN

I believe the best mental health care begins with trust, compassion, and open communication. My goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences without fear of judgment.

I understand that reaching out for help isn't always easy, and I strive to meet each person where they are. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, mood changes, life transitions, trauma, ADHD, or simply feeling overwhelmed, we'll work together to develop a treatment plan that fits your goals, values, and lifestyle.

I take a collaborative approach to care, combining evidence-based medication management with supportive therapy, education, and practical coping strategies. I want my clients to understand not only what we're treating but why certain treatments may be beneficial, so they feel informed and involved in every decision.

With years of experience in psychiatric care across inpatient and outpatient settings, I've worked with individuals facing a wide range of mental health challenges. I believe healing isn't about being perfect—it's about making meaningful progress, building resilience, and finding balance in everyday life.

My hope is that every client leaves our appointments feeling heard, respected, and supported.

My practice is a good fit for clients who are looking for:

• Compassionate, nonjudgmental care
• Medication management with education and shared decision-making
• Practical tools to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning
• A provider who listens and works collaboratively
• Long-term support focused on sustainable mental wellness

I look forward to partnering with you on your journey toward better mental health.

I want you to know that you’ll be met with respect, compassion, and understanding. With over 30 years of total experience and 19 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor, I’ve worked with individuals facing Substance use / addiction, Anxiety, Depression, and stress. I believe in creating a safe, supportive space where you can be open and honest. We’ll work together at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on growth, healing, and practical tools for moving forward.

I hold over five years of experience in mental health and have seen a wide range of ages, diagnoses, cultures, and levels of willingness to change their life circumstances. I provide my clients with the freedom to be who they are and to take off their masks. I have seen and heard almost everything and invite people to be their honest selves with me.

I’m a therapist based in Memphis who works with high-achieving women navigating anxiety, burnout, identity transitions, and complex relationship dynamics. Many of my clients are successful on the outside and exhausted on the inside. They are often the responsible one, the strong one, the reliable one — and quietly overwhelmed.

My work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based model that helps clients understand and heal the different “parts” of themselves — the driven part, the critical part, the anxious part, the part that feels unseen. I am Level 1 trained in IFS and integrate attachment-informed and trauma-responsive care into my practice.

You can START therapy THIS week! You don't have to get on anybody's waiting list. My first priority is to relate to each person or couple as unique. Everyone has strengths that can be drawn on to help make therapy a positive, enriching, and productive experience. Let's work together so you can live your best life. No matter where you've been, what you've been through there's ALWAYS hope!

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.

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.