Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Tennessee

I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and Board Certified Hypnotherapist based in Madison, TN, with 16 years in practice. I hold a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and am a certified hypnotherapist through the National Guild of Hypnotists. I'm also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, so I train and supervise other clinicians in addition to seeing clients myself.

I work with adults and families around addiction, trauma and PTSD, and impulse control disorders, along with anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, OCD, relationship issues, and compulsive or disruptive patterns. Hypnotherapy and Internal Family Sytems are my favorite modalities.

I offer both in-person sessions (at Watershed Wellness Cooperative in Madison) and telehealth, with daytime, evening, and weekend availability.

My goal as your therapist is to be able to help you move through the difficulties that you are facing. I strive to be someone who is non-judgemental and caring throughout every interaction. I enjoy working with clients who have various backgrouds and experiences, including mental health and substance abuse. I have worked in a psychiatric hosptial as well as a recovery center, where recovery and progress were the main goals. I have gained a lot of real-life experiences and learned a lot of lessons from the clients that I have had the pleasure to interact with. I believe that all clients have knowledge to be shared with me.

I am available to care for individuals who require non-standard and flexible appointment hours including evenings; and, with a focus on working adults/professionals, students, elderly, those with challenges due to their illness, and so forth. I am also open to taking on patients who need continuity of care after discharge from inpatient care. I am capable of providing on the spot medication management including deprescribing/tapers, addressing interactions, taking over from primary care provider for more advance regiment, etc ...

I believe in helping clients feel better and offer hope immediately.

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.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I'm committed to providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment for exploring pathways to psychological and emotional healing. Specializing in Dialectical and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I believe everyone is worthy of love and happiness. I encourage people to see themselves through that same lens.

There’s much more to your story.

I believe therapy should be a place where you feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. Drawing on decades of experience, I provide a compassionate, practical, and holistic approach to therapy. I began my work as a spiritual and addictions counselor in 1981 and became a state-licensed mental health therapist in 2007. Since then, I have partnered with individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them build on their strengths, clarify their values, and create lasting change.

Before moving into private practice, I spent 20 years serving the Cleveland, Tennessee community as an outpatient therapist at Hiwassee Mental Health Center.

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.