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Meet Our Team
To get started, just:
see who you’re drawn to
& click their calendar
pick your appointment time
(1st session or free consult call)
we’ll take it from there
you’ll get heard & a moment to catch your breath
Allison Himmelstein
Pre-Licensed Counselor
(she/her)
LGBTQIA+
Body Image & Self Esteem
Self Compassion
Adventure
Artistic Blocks
Depression & Anxiety
Trauma & C-PTSD
Adults & teens
Accepting new clients
Immediate Availability
$75-$150
Sliding scale full
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Creativity and adventure are huge aspects of my journey and are interwoven with my therapy style. I like to laugh, cry, and connect as I walk along side your life as a curious questioner.
I have a heart of advocacy for those who have had their power stolen from them. Through your empowerment in our sessions and your life, we will explore what power could feel like for you. I delight in our relationship and work to honor our similarities and differences that impact our work together.
Each session we will follow your needs for the space. I believe in the power of your instincts and expertise on yourself.
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I have spent a majority of my life in the mountains of Washington State, soaking up the natural beauty and culture there.
In my own experiences with therapy, I received empowerment that felt like a gift in my life. Once I had felt that joy, I was motivated to create a space where others could soak in that same reality of having power over their lives.
On days off, my little family is usually on the river, on a trail, or creating pottery. I'm an enjoyer of self-help books (no surprise there) and true crime podcasts.
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Therapeutic Lenses
Brainspotting (Phase 1)
Creative Expressive Arts, including clay work and more
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed
Intuitive Eating
Mindfulness
Credentials
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University
Bachelor in Psychology from George Fox University
I practice under the supervision of Reid Horne, TN LPC-MHSP #4274
Cindy Patterson, LMFT
Licensed Marital & Family Therapist
(she/her)
Late-diagnosed autism/ADHD
Anxiety & OCD
Trauma & Neglect
HSPs (Highly Sensitive)
Chronic Health/Pain
Attachment-Based & Body-Based
IFS Parts Work (Level 2 + Somatic) • Brainspotting (Phase 2)
Adults 18+
Accepting new clients
Immediate Availability
$120-$195
Sliding scale
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The foundation of my work is a compassionate presence, with a relaxed and authentic approach. I honor each individual’s unique story and invite space for curiosity, acceptance, and growth.
As your guide in the therapy process, I support you in rediscovering your inner resources and innate healing abilities. Together, we will explore your thoughts, feelings, actions, and inner experiences, as these often serve a significant purpose within you.
Everyone’s healing journey is unique, so I draw from various experiential modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, mindfulness, attachment-based, and body-based approaches.
For those ready for deeper work or wanting to explore specific issues, I offer longer sessions that combine IFS and Brainspotting.
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I am passionate about supporting people on their healing journeys, believing that we all possess an innate capacity for healing and growth.
My journey into this work has been shaped by my personal experiences and a deep curiosity about others. These experiences have taught me to approach everyone with non-judgment and openness.
I have spent most of my life in Tennessee, in various business and community settings. My professional background includes roles in the tech industry, as a yoga teacher, and as a non-profit volunteer. Throughout my life, I have embraced many roles—partner, mother, daughter, sister, student, teacher, and friend.
As a therapist, I have worked with a wide range of experiences like anxiety, chronic stress, depression, relationship issues, chronic pain, life transitions, and complex trauma.
My clinical experiences have instilled in me deep knowledge, compassion, and humility that I bring into every therapeutic interaction.
On most days, I make it a point to surround myself with things that matter to me, such as nature, music, and meaningful connections with others.
Location of Self (Identity)
I am dedicated to equality and strive to be culturally aware. I use she/her pronouns and am a neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQ±-affirming therapist.
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Training & Expertise
Internal Family Systems (IFS Level 2)
Somatic IFS (Step 1)
Brainspotting (Phase 2, Brainspotting Intensives)
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Advanced Externship
Core Skills
EFIT & Trauma (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Tennessee (TN LMFT #1842)
Master of Marriage & Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University
Bachelor of Business from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Jordan McRae
Pre-Licensed Counselor
(she/her)
LGBTQIA+
Burnout
People-pleasing & boundaries
Attachment needs and traumas
Parent-coaching, family
IFS-Informed • Brainspotting
Adults, teens, families
Accepting new clients
Immediate Availability
$80-$165
Sliding scale
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I love helping you become your fully integrated and authentic self.
My first goal in the therapy room is to provide a place where you are (actually) free to be authentic right in the moment.
However you show up that day, in the room, is right. I do not assume I have a right to any client’s vulnerability; rather, I consider it a privilege to be invited, in your time.
I operate from a trauma-informed lens, honoring my clients’ space to check in with themselves at each point in the process.
I aim to help you grow in your self-awareness and connect to your inner world with self-compassion and curiosity.
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My background is in education with a Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Science Education. Following in the footsteps of both my parents, I believed education to be my calling, but quickly discovered a deeper desire to attend to the needs of students beyond their academics.
After many years in a damaging and hurtful church environment, through the support and kindness of my own therapist, I was able to move forward, knowing I wanted to pursue a career in counseling. I earned my Master’s of Mental Health Counseling at Belmont University, and began working towards Marriage and Family Therapy licensure.
Location of Self (Identity)
As a white, cis-het woman, I know I am granted many privileges and aim to use these privileges to listen to and advocate for marginalized populations.
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Training & Therapeutic Lenses
Brainspotting (Phase 1)
Internal Family Systems (IFS Parts Work) Informed
Credentials
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Belmont University
Bachelor of Science in Science Education from Auburn University
I practice under the supervision of Kelcie Silva, TN LMFT #1279
Penny Reif
Pre-Licensed Counselor
(she/her)
LGBTQIA+
Autism, AuDHD, HSPs, and sensory overwhelm
Nerd Culture
Trauma & C-PTSD
Burnout & depression
Adults & teens
Accepting new clients
Immediate Availability
$100-$175
Sliding scale full
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My life was changed by someone who took the time to listen to me without judgment. Since then, I have always wanted to be that listener to others, and to be the support and empathy that we all need sometimes.
During my free time, I like to play Dungeons & Dragons, video games, and to spend time with my cat and friends.
I was born and raised in Florida, where I got my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Florida. I love plants, being outside, and all things nerdy. I feel things deeply and am highly aware of sensory input.
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I identify as a white cishet woman, I am able-bodied, and I have grown up in the Southern evangelical Christian culture. These parts of my identity have granted me many privileges in our society that I have benefited from.
I aim to not only be aware of my privileges, but to also advocate for those who face injustices and are hurt by our current societal structure.
I additionally identify as being on the Asexual (Ace) spectrum, and my pronouns are she/her.
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Training & Expertise
Brainspotting (Phase 1)
IFS-Informed (Parts Work)
Narrative Therapy
Person-centered therapy
Mindfulness
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology from University of Florida
I practice under the supervision of Joy Samuels, TN LPC-MHSP #2364
Sally Marciel, LMFT
Founder
(she/her)
While I’m not currently taking new clients, I closely mentor our therapist team as they serve our clients in:
Late-diagnosed ADHD/autism/neurodivergence, and sensory overwhelm
Spiritual trauma, disillusionment, deconstruction
Trauma, brain fog, and burnout
Chronic health stuff and how it so often overlaps with all of the above
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Training
Internal Family Systems (IFS Level 3)
Brainspotting & EMDR (Phase 2/Level 1)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (Advanced Externship, Core Skills, EFT & Addictions)
Advanced Integrative Therapy
Religious Trauma & Spiritual Abuse
Licensed Marital & Family Therapist in:
Tennessee (TN LMFT #1145)
North Carolina (NC LMFT #2312)
Master of Marriage & Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University
Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Belmont University
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University
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Locations of Self
I identify as a white cishet woman, raised in Southern evangelical Christian culture, and am in an interracial marriage - all of which have brought me privileges of the dominant culture.
I also identify as neurodivergent (adhd) and mostly able-bodied as I heal from hidden illness. My pronouns are she/her.
The systems and structures of our culture have hurt me, and I have hurt others while I benefitted from the privileges I hold in these structures.
I hope my attuned care for the vulnerability in my hurt places helps me only to have more compassion and space for the layers of intersectional vulnerable places in my team, our clients, and our world.
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My background is in the arts, with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Music from Belmont University, and many years teaching voice and piano.
I bridged my time between music and therapy working several years in the tech world in web/app development project coordination and management.
Need Help Choosing Your Best-Fit Therapist?
Use this calendar to chat with our front desk without the phone tag, or send us an email / text.
Our Unique Office
A Therapy Environment That Gives You a Leg up on Your Process
For those who prefer to see us in person at our Brentwood office instead of online, we aim to provide a gentle sensory experience that supports your executive function and stress systems. Our bodies and minds feel safer, and thus are more open to learning, growing, and freedom when they sense we’re in a balanced nervous system state where we can feel at ease but still responsive to our environments if we needed to act (neither hypervigilant nor frozen).
The first two things people tend to say when they visit our space are:
Whoa, how do you take care of all those plants?
Wow, every little detail in this space is so purposeful. (More on that below.)

The Little Details Make Our Therapy Space Special
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We understand that some folks need more sensory input, and some need less. Since most public spaces are super overstimulating, we try to foster the gentlest sensory experience we can (and we have other sensory tools for our clients who need more sensory input).
Here’s what we’re constantly trying to improve in our space to help make your visit with us as supportive as possible:
Lighting - we avoid use of overhead fluorescent lights wherever possible, opting for diffused, softer lighting instead of overhead lights as much as we can. All the lights in our waiting area are on dimmers that you are welcome to adjust anytime. Most of the lamps in our therapy rooms are on dimmers, and you can always ask your clinician to turn anything off, or to close the blinds. (Sometimes even natural light is way too bright.)
Visual noise - we try to keep clutter and “loud” prints to a minimum, filling our space with plants and earthy materials we find more soothing. You won’t see tall bookcases full of books (as much as we love books, the varying sizes and colors along with the flurry of fonts can be more sensory information than is helpful while you’re processing important things with us)
Sounds - our big rugs and multitude of plants help absorb noise; we have noise-cancelling headphones available to borrow; and we have signage reminding folks to keep conversations low and to avoid digital noises in the office
Smells - we use unscented or non-synthetic cleaners and don’t allow any clinicians in our space to use scented candles or to use nebulized/ultrasonic essential oils; we use charcoal/HEPA/UV-C filters to help the air feel fresh (if scents are a positive thing for you, we have some gentle ways of adding scent in your session without going into the vents affecting other sessions)
Tactile/movement - we have weighted blankets, pads, and pillows, and all sorts of fidgets for you to use. We invite you to wear whatever is comfortable, sit on the floor, curl up in your seat, and just be in your body however feels comfortable to you
Spatial - our waiting room has several different seating options. There are multiple areas, letting you choose what you’d like to face and what to have your back against - it is as nervous-system-friendly as we can make a public space. If seats are closer than we prefer, we throw a tall plant between them. We aim for a non-threatening (and maybe even enjoyable!) waiting experience - by staggering seats to make sure it doesn’t feel like anyone is staring at you, and creating physical and visual barriers to sit behind. We even have two waiting room doors that allow us to control traffic so people aren’t walking right across you as they come and go
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Executive function is our higher-level functioning that helps us strategize, prioritize, focus, manage our emotions, problem-solve, make decisions, and remember what we’re doing or saying right now.
In short, to us being executive-function-friendly means that we try to help you conserve your mental and emotional energy when you’re with us. You’re carrying enough mental and emotional load trying to keep all the plates spinning everywhere else in your life.
A quick way for us tank your executive function would be to stress you out, make it difficult to get in touch with us, difficult to find us, and leave you guessing as to what will happen when you get here.
But we think therapy feels better and goes better when you can find some rest in the process. Plus we’ve learned brains are most open to the change and growth you’ve been longing for when they feel safe and met where they are.
That’s why we aim to make your time with us feel like a sigh of relief from start to finish, not just with a soothing sensory environment, but in how we aim to make you feel welcome, seen, and heard. And in how we openly address how draining systemic oppression is. And in how we set up our scheduling and physical space to be easy to navigate.
It seems to us that receiving therapy and support, of all things, should help teach your nervous system what it’s like not to have to fight against everything all the time, just to take care of routine needs.
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While we can’t provide therapy in a cabin or field in a quiet wood away from all hustle and bustle (yet), we’ve chosen our space because it cuts down on stressors we’ve experienced in other commercial buildings:
Parking - we’ve got more than enough parking spaces and you won’t have to circle around competing for your spot or praying to the parking fairy
Entrances - our building has several entrances, so it’s easy to enter on the same side of the building that you parked on
Trees - our building and parking lot feel like a bit of a respite from the concrete and asphalt of other parts of Brentwood and strip malls when you pull in (and also as you sit in session feeling a bit like you’re up in a tree house)
Easy to find - if you use the front entrance, it’s ultra easy:
come in the front door (under the pull-through/drop-off portico), and the elevators are immediately in front of you
as the elevator doors open on the second floor, our glass doors are visible before you even step out
(it may look a little dim inside because we keep the lights low for a chill vibe, but you can’t mistake our planty jungle)
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Yes and no.
How we can help depends on what you’re needing to get out of doing this testing to confirm your diagnosis.
Are you needing to know for yourself, to help you with your life, career, relationships?
Are you not really looking for support to deal with your diagnosis, and are just wanting to provide official assessment documentation to work or school to request accommodations?
We shine brightest at working with you to help informally confirm/discern a suspected autism or ADHD diagnosis.
This option is desirable to lots of folks because
you have the flexibility of not putting a diagnosis on your medical record, and
you can also start working on sensory supports, accommodations, and trauma work if needed right from day one, while you’re working through your diagnosis, and without having to wait for long, often expensive testing before you get to the support part.
Though we can work with you to confirm or disconfirm your suspicions of the diagnosis, we aren’t always able to provide the official assessment or formal letter that would be needed to request work accommodations or similar.
Different systems and institutions have different requirements for that, but we’re happy to take a look at any requirements ahead of time if that’s what she’d need.
But here’s the thing: whether the diagnosis ends up officially being there or not . . . how you’re feeling matters.
We truly love getting to do all of this support work with no matter where the diagnosis lands because usually it’s struggles or feeling “different” that made you start wondering abou the diagnosis.
Let’s say you didn’t meet the current criteria, for example - does that mean how you feel right now doesn’t deserve sensory supports or trauma processing, or support for navigating your relationships - just because you don’t meet the medical system’s criteria for a certain diagnosis?
It could even be that criteria for the diagnosis continue to evolve over the next few years, just as our current understanding has exponentially expanded over the last several years.
No matter your diagnosis, we do a lot of work to help you get supports in place and adjust to this new way of seeing life/self.
It’s different for everyone, but often looks like helping support sensory sensitivities, figuring out some accommodations for life/relationships - and so often there’s some grief, internalized shame, and trauma to work with, too.
If that’s not what you’re looking for and you’d just like meds or the old-school testing for now, we have some Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners that we partner with who can get you squared away for that part of the process.
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We do not have a prescriber on staff but have trusted Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners we partner with for medication management.
They usually have quick availability and we trust them with our own families - and they are truly neurodivergent-affirming, most of them having extensive lived experience themselves.
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We are out of network with all insurance companies. It may be worth checking in with your insurance plan’s administrator, just in case - some plans may reimburse for out of network sessions or let your sessions count toward your deductible.
We can give you a receipt with the medical codes they’ll need (called a superbill) if you have confirmed that they will reimburse you.
(If you have an HSA or FSA, we can run those cards like a regular credit card and provide any receipts the HSA/FSA might request.)
You’ll want to check in with your insurance company to see what you need in order to get counseling covered or reimbursed, whether in-network or out-of-network.
Here are some questions to ask about your plan's coverage:
Do they reimburse for counseling? For out of network counseling?
Do they reimburse for the type of counseling you’re doing? (some plans may reimburse for individual therapy but not for groups or for couple/family therapy)
Do they require a diagnosis in order to cover your sessions?
How many sessions will they reimburse you for? Do they limit the amount of sessions they’ll cover based on your diagnosis
Do they require special permission for sessions over a certain length (for instance, 60-75 minutes vs. 45 minutes)
How much do they reimburse per session? Is it a flat amount, or a percentage of what you paid?
Will they allow unreimbursed sessions to count toward your deductible?
It’s important to find out these details before starting therapy so that both you and we have an idea of the expectations.
Sometimes insurance plans cover enough sessions to give you coping skills to change outward behaviors, but not enough sessions to dig into the deep, healing heart-work we believe can sometimes better help sustain those changes and feel more like yourself.
There are absolutely exceptions to that, though, so again: it’s always worth checking in with them.