Working with a therapist can help you learn to manage life's challenges and achieve more positive outcomes. If you’re interested in starting therapy, consider an online platform like BetterHelp.

With BetterHelp, you can get mental health care from a licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, or other provider from the comfort of home at a time that works for your schedule. Plus, you can change therapists anytime for no fee until you find a provider with whom you have a successful therapeutic relationship. 

While BetterHelp does not currently provide group therapy, the providers on the platform have extensive experience providing individual therapy. A BetterHelp counselor can guide you through the therapeutic process and help you overcome a range of life difficulties, from managing the symptoms of bipolar disorder or mood disorders to improving low self-esteem.

If you’re looking for an online therapist, TN has many options. The following providers are licensed and qualified to provide online therapy across the state of Tennessee. Connect with a therapist below to start learning the coping strategies you need to navigate the challenges in your life.

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Elizabeth Jones

Offering therapy in Tennessee
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
9 years of experience

Hello, my name is Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Ellie. I have a master's degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice. I am a LCSW, licensed in KY and TN. My primary focus has been with people in addiction and people with a trauma history. I enjoy working with all populations and strongly believe that people have everything they need to change their situation and outlook within. In order to help others meet their treatment goals, I typically use strengths-based, cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered approaches, and dialectical behavioral therapy. My experience with individuals and families has been in the residential setting, family therapy, group therapy, and individual therapy settings. I look forward to working with every client, as I know that they are worthy and deserving of any change they so desire.

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Kaitlyn Nicholson

Offering therapy in Tennessee
License: LMFT
Self esteemCareer difficulties
8 years of experience

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 7 years of experience working in private practice. I love working with clients on establishing balance and self-care in their lives, increasing their sense of purpose and direction, working through blocks that prevent them from success and connecting to their authentic self! My counseling style is warm and laid-back. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing or labels. I offer Human Design Coaching. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Christine Nusser

Offering therapy in Tennessee
License: LCSW, MBA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression
30 years of experience

ABOUT ME Greetings: My name is Christine Nusser. I am a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in Tennessee. I have an undergraduate degree from Lipscomb University (psychology major), an MSSW degree (clinical social work major) from the University of Tennessee School of Social Work, and an MBA (finance major) from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I have been in practice for over 30 years. I am a seasoned therapist experienced in the provision of services for those with chronic mental illnesses, mood disorders, situational disorders, dual diagnoses, substance abuse, life crises, obsessive compulsive disorders, unresolved grief, anxiety disorders, and phobias etc. Services provided are designed to address each individual’s needs and preferences. I am trained and experienced in the use of an array of techniques and will use a specific technique upon request. The mission of my practice is to enable individuals to work towards achieving their goals including the lessening of or relief of symptoms, maintaining stability, achieving personal growth, and increasing self-actualization through the provision of quality, supportive, and affordable therapy. Feedback from clients has been consistently very positive. In fact, the majority of the referrals to the practice come from former clients. SPECIALTIES • Stress, Anxiety • Career difficulties • Bipolar disorder • Depression • Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Also experienced in: Addictions, LGBT, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, parenting issues, anger management, self-esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, gender dysphoria, HIV/AIDS, phobias, personality disorders, dual diagnosis Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Gestalt. Psychodynamic Therapy Years of Experience: 30 years LANGUAGES English

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LeQuandra Hale-Banks

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
8 years of experience

I am licensed in Tennessee and Georgia with 10 years of professional work experience; eight (8) of those years are in counseling. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, coping with life changes, & executive and professional coaching. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Olesya Leskel

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
14 years of experience

I am licensed in California and Tennessee with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Jessica Owen

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
8 years of experience

I am licensed in Tennessee and North Caroline with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. You don't have to do this alone. I am here to support you in that process.

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Mitchell McDonald

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger management
8 years of experience

I am licensed in Tennessee and Oregon with 6 years of professional work experience in Mental Health Therapy. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, managing their emotions and setting boundaries in relationships. I have experience working with youth and adults. I believe in treating everyone with respect and that all people have the capacity for good. I have experience with a variety of different treatment modalities and will tailor my approach for each individual client. I am excited to work with you!

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Deborah Richardson

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changesADHD
45 years of experience

I'm pleased to introduce myself to you. I'm Deborah Richardson, LCSW, but most people call me "Deb". All of my life I've had people tell me things in confidence. When you're a minor, that can be a little scary at times; but that's the beginning of a therapist. Now I know it's scarier for the person who has a secret that needs to be told. I didn't set out to be a therapist. I thought I'd be an administrator in a social services agency until I realized I can't balance a Profit and Loss Statement because I have numbers dyslexia. You see, my mind isn't perfect. Like everyone, there are many things I can't do well. Then I found myself covering for a full-time therapist and suddenly I found my joy, and I've continued to find it everyday for forty-plus years. Along the way I picked up two husbands, two daughters, a dozen pets, and thousands of clients. I divorced one husband, buried another, watched two little girls fly away, and now I wait for grandchildren. I also completed a teaching degree followed by a master's degree in social work from The University of Tennessee. Then there's my fur-baby, the ten pound Shih Tzu Amanda-Grace, who was the office pet therapist when I saw clients face-to-face. She became very depressed when we stopped having clients in the office: laying around, not eating or playing. She came to life again when she discovered YouTube videos of cats, dogs, and talking birds. She's happiest, though, when hearing your voices on my speakers. Don't worry, she's the most ethical therapist there is. Everything is totally confidential with Gracie. Over the course of four decades I've worked with all ages from many walks of life. I've worked in-patient, out-patient, a nursing home, a group-home, and a prison. I did forensic psychiatry for fifteen years and private practice for twenty-four. I've used whatever therapeutic techniques worked for an individual. We've walked in the sunshine, listened to music, painted emotions, and written about heartache. We've read "The Giving Tree", watched "Attack on Titan", and sang "It's Not Easy Being Green". Through my professional work experience, I've learned that using a lot of professional jargon isn't as important as remembering someone's birthday, and keeping it real is synonymous with empathy. I found that "normal" is very broad and "average" is very small. Acceptance of one's self is harder to do than acceptance of others, but judgments comes quickly and punishments even swifter. I find that many people believe life is a yellow brick road with a pot of gold at the end, or perhaps Elton John playing piano. Either way, it's a journey they hope for but never think they can take. I believe life can be a yellow brick road, if that's what you want, but all roads have pot holes no matter where they lead or what color they are. My job is to teach each client how to fill their pot holes, or build a bridge, or knock-down a wall, or mend a broken heart for themselves. What I do isn't as important as who you are at the end of this journey together. I hope you will join me at Better Help to travel your road, where ever it goes, safely and in peace.

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Kimberley Slown

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionADHD
25 years of experience

I am licensed in Tennessee with 24 years of professional work experience. My experience includes expertise in helping clients with trauma and abuse, as well as with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, & depression utilizing including EMDR, CBT, DBT, and other evidence based interventions. I enjoy working with both adolescent and adult clients to achieve their goals and establish a safe environment for my clients to feel free to talk without judgement. Taking this first step to reach out for help is a courageous choice! I am looking forward to be a part of your healing journey. My current availability is limited to Thursday and Friday afternoon/evenings, and Saturday late morning/early afternoon.

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Frank Ruse

Offering therapy in Tennessee
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changes
30 years of experience

Thank yourself for taking this big step and thank you for sharing information about yourself. I appreciate that you reached out. I am Frank Ruse, a licensed therapist. Battling emotional difficulties can be frightening and hard. Why? It's fear of the unexpected. My 30 years of experience as an addiction counselor and clinical social worker, as well as, treating people with emotional difficulties has taught me how to make this process less scary and easier. We will work through these difficulties together. My approach is easy going and with touches of humor. We will combine cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, reality therapy and rational-emotive therapy with touches of stoicism; and of course, I will be there to listen. Bottom line, I'll meet you where you are and we'll overcome these obstacles together. As you know with the Better Help platform, you can contact me if there is a need or have questions. Also, you can schedule yourself on the schedule. In addition, if you need me, I'll get back to you as soon as reasonably possible. I'll be sending you something to look at that tells you what to expect in therapy. Take care of yourself, because you deserve it, Standing by ready to assist. Frank, LISW-CP, LCSW, LADC

How can a counselor support you?

Therapists can practice many types of counseling, from marriage and family therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also assist you with symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety.

Therapists may help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or address your past. Over 3,973,341 people live in TN, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for local licensed professionals may help you find mental health support for personal growth, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek support from one of BetterHelp's licensed providers above.  

The mental health field can include psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social work, licensed counseling, and other mental health services in person and online. Seeing a licensed provider can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness and other specialized techniques.

Please note that a BetterHelp therapist does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.

Why do people choose to work with a licensed counselor?

People reach out for mental health support for a variety of reasons. Many individuals work with a counselor for general life advice, while others may attend therapy for a specific concern. Whether you live in a large city or a smaller county, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

The mental health therapists in Tennessee support clients with varying issues through therapy, such as:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression or depressive conditions
  • Adjustment issues
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma
  • Relationship conflicts and concerns

Finding a therapist that takes new clients in online therapy can be the first step in finding a treatment plan that works for you. Your therapist can provide a safe space for you to focus on self-care and well-being.

If you're interested in speaking to one of the therapists above or being matched with a counselor in 24 to 48 hours, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp has over 35,000 providers, including those listed above.

Emergency services to contact in a crisis

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use the BetterHelp site. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some of the most commonly asked questions about therapy can be found in the section below.

How much does a therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $60 to $90 per session, charged monthly in a lump sum. You can also take advantage of this pricing on one of BetterHelp's sister platforms, like ReGain for couples or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19.

Many therapists may be upfront about their pricing and whether or not they take health insurance from the beginning. Additionally, some in your area may offer a sliding scale plan to allow those with lower incomes to pay less for therapy. However, services online can often save individuals a few hundred dollars per month.

When should I get a therapist in Tennessee?

Mental health services and mental health providers may help you navigate various concerns. You do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy; You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general advice. A counselor may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Mental health issues don't always present as a crisis. Many professionals provide talk therapy and support for life transitions, skills learning, relationship problems, or life coaching. Online therapy sessions can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover the cost of therapy?

Different counseling services can vary in cost. Therapists must apply to accept insurance through insurance companies, which may take time and money, so not every therapist offers services through insurance. If you cannot find a therapist that accepts your plan, BetterHelp may be cheaper than visiting an in-person therapist.

Is online therapy the safe option?

Online therapy through BetterHelp and its sister platforms is safe. Therapists are licensed, experienced, and vetted before being contracted with the platform. If you experience any concerns with your therapist, you change your counselor through the platform or app at any time.

In today's fast-paced society, mental well-being has become a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Amid the daily challenges and stressors that can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals, seeking professional guidance often offers a path to clarity and balance. The journey toward improved emotional health involves understanding personal triggers, embracing self-compassion, and developing effective coping strategies. While self-help books and online resources provide valuable information, nothing compares to the personalized support offered by a qualified mental health professional. One-on-one sessions with experienced experts can help uncover the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, depression, or other emotional hurdles. With a careful and empathetic approach, these professionals tailor their advice to suit individual needs, ensuring that each person receives strategies that work best for their unique circumstances. Whether through cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other innovative methods, the aim is to foster resilience and empower individuals to take control of their inner lives. For those living in bustling urban centers, engaging in face-to-face sessions in a welcoming environment can be particularly beneficial. Access to a caring clinician provides not only a safe space to explore difficult emotions but also builds a support network essential for long-term recovery. The process encourages self-reflection and greater insight into behavioral patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the journey can be challenging at times, the rewards include enhanced emotional stability, improved interpersonal relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. In one notable case, the guidance provided by a highly trained therapist proved instrumental in navigating a tumultuous period. Through structured sessions and tailored interventions, the individual learned to identify stressors and develop healthier responses to adversity. This experience underscored the transformative impact that dedicated support can have on one's overall quality of life. In a region like Texas, community-based initiatives and accessible mental health programs further reinforce the value of professional help. These efforts emphasize early intervention, preventive care, and continuous support, ensuring that more people are equipped to face life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, investing in mental well-being is an act of self-care that yields lifelong benefits. By embracing professional support, individuals can unlock new levels of emotional resilience and discover pathways to a brighter, more balanced future. Each step taken toward healing represents a commitment to personal growth, enabling a life filled with renewed optimism and strength. Embracing this transformative journey consistently paves the way for deeper understanding, lasting peace, and meaningful personal progress.
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