Meet Our Team
We know— we have a bit of a Kaitlyn/Katelyn problem. We just can’t quit ‘em! 🤗
grow within, heal together
grow within, heal together
Leadership & Licensed Therapists
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MSW, LCSW, RYT; she/her
founder / clinical director & therapistValerie has a passion for working with folks who are seeking a deeper relationship with self, community, and the earth. She also offers couples / relationship therapy using The Gottman Method, as well as sex therapy. Valerie is a Ravenclaw, Enneagram 7, advocate for human and animal liberation, and literal tree hugger. She's always up to something, and currently that's co-hosting But For Real podcast, and starting her doctorate in Existential Humanistic Psychology.
Credentials: Valerie completed her MSSW at the University of Texas at Austin, and is licensed as an LCSW (#6452).
Click here to learn more about Valerie’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities.
Fall 2024: Valerie is accepting new clients by referral only.
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MA, LPC-MHSP, RYT; she/her)
therapist, internship supervisor, &marketing managerColleen works with adults and teens (both 1on1 and in relationships) and is especially passionate about working with folks navigating trauma, eating disorders, body image concerns, sexual concerns, and neurodivergence, as well as creatives/folks working in the music and entertainment industries. She takes a holistic, client-centered approach and integrates somatic/experiential approaches (including EMDR & Brainspotting) along with cognitive/behavioral approaches based on each client’s unique needs. Colleen is also a dancer and yoga teacher. She loves playing with her yorkie Zen with her husband, obsessing over corgis and Harry Styles, reading, and writing. In addition to her work as one of our therapists, Colleen supervises our graduate level interns, leads our undergraduate intern program, and is also our marketing manager.
Credentials: Colleen completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University and is licensed as an LPC-MHSP (#5908).
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LMFT, ATR; she/they
therapist + art therapistKaitlyn works with individuals, couples/relationships, and families navigating trauma (EMDR trained), depression, anxiety, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ issues, eating disorders, and more. As your therapist, Kaitlyn will aim to be your biggest champion while compassionately challenging you to grow (and will only include art in your therapy process if you are open to it—it’s certainly not a requirement!) They love painting, Netflix marathons, reality TV, rock climbing, and hiking with their partner and two dogs.
Credentials: Kaitlyn received their Masters in Art Therapy and Masters in Couples and Family Therapy at Antioch University in Seattle. They are licensed as an LMFT (#1975) and are also a Registered Art Therapist (ATR).
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BS; she/her
administrative assistantRebecca completed her BS in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of North Texas. Prior to joining The Gaia Center, she has worked as a Montessori teacher, private nanny, and Client Relations Specialist/Business Development Liaison with a behavioral healthcare company. Rebecca is a proud single mom to Katia (purr) & Dahlia (woof), and is thrilled to be part of a practice that shares her values of lifting up and advocating for marginalized folks.
Pre-Licensed Post-Masters Therapists
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MA, MT-BC; she/her
therapist + music therapistCourtney completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University. She is also a Board-Certified Music Therapist (though it’s completely optional whether her Gaia Center clients choose to integrate music therapy into their counseling work with her.) Courtney works with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use / addiction, and body image challenges. She is also passionate about supporting folks through life transitions and exploration of identity / sense of self. In her free time, she enjoys making music just because, reading cheesy romance books, and exploring new restaurants around Nashville.
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LMSW, ; she/her
therapistClara earned her Master's degree in Social Work from Delaware State University. She works with adults (individuals and couples) navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, and identity challenges. Clara offers compassionate, culturally sensitive care, tailoring her approach to the unique needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In addition to her work with individuals, Clara specializes in helping couples address relationship challenges, providing guidance with both empathy and expertise.
Outside the therapy room, Clara enjoys writing, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending quality time with loved ones, while remaining actively engaged in her community through social and political causes.Credentials: Clara completed her Master's in Social Work at Delaware State University and currently holds the LMSW credential as she works toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
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MS; she/her
therapistEmerson works with adults and teens who are navigating neurodivergence, depression, anxiety, trauma, body image, sexuality, and life transitions. Emerson is passionate about supporting ALL people to feel included and worthy of healing and cultivating life they desire. She loves exploring new food joints with her friends, bargain hunting, and watching sitcoms with her partner.
Credentials: Emerson completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Austin Peay State University. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
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MS; she/her
therapistKalaway works with adults navigating grief and loss, anxiety, depression, complex trauma, and folks who are grappling with existential questions related to life, death, and meaning. Kalaway approaches healing from a mind/body/spirit perspective (including certification in Level 1 Reiki) and aims to help her clients feel empowered in their personal wisdom, tell their unique stories, and live bravely. She spends a lot of her time drying flowers and working with the restorative and healing properties of dried plants, herbs, and flowers.
Credentials: Kalaway completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
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MA, NCC; she/her
therapistKatelyn works with adults and teens both 1on1 and in relationships. She specializes in supporting folks who are navigating trauma, anxiety, panic, depression, ADHD, ASD, LGBTQIA+ challenges, and sexual challenges. Katelyn has a special passion for trauma work, non-monogamous + kink relationship structures, neurodivergence, and identity exploration of all kinds. She is trained in Brainspotting, IFS, TF-CBT, and Safe and Sound. Her goal is to help you recognize and overcome the role external forces play in your life and view of self and embrace every part of yourself. Katelyn is a dancer, a rock climber, and a wannabe chef. She loves plants, her dog (Chevre, like the goat cheese), reading, and afternoon naps.
Credentials: Katelyn completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
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MSW, LMSW; she/her
therapistKaycee works with adults and teens (in individual therapy, couples/relationships, families, and groups) navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. She is especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ folks (as a member of the community herself), complex trauma (including relational, religious, and sexual trauma) and Borderline Personality Disorder. She is EMDR-trained. Kaycee’s mission is to support all her clients in feeling safer in their bodies, developing self-compassion, and becoming more fully present and connected in their lives. She loves sushi, lavender (the plant and the color), advocating for human rights, spending time in nature, and watching reality TV.
Credentials: Kaycee completed her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee and currently holds the LMSW credential as she works toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
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MSW, LMSW; he/him
therapistSam works with adults and teens navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, LGBTQIA+ issues, toxic masculinity, and justice involvement. He aims to provide his clients with a safe, judgement-free place to do restorative, curious work in each session. Sam is most excited to help folks gain a deeper mastery of themselves and gain empowerment through finding ways to use their unique strengths to navigate life's challenges. He loves coffee, comedy, podcasts, gaming, and spending time with his wife and their 2 cats.
Credentials: Sam completed his Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee and currently holds the LMSW credential as he works toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
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MSW, LMSW; she/her
therapistSanTasha works with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, sexual issues, and self-image. She also loves supporting folks who are feeling powerless and burnt out into empowerment, self-care, and healthy boundaries. SanTasha completed her BS and MSW from Tennessee State University. She loves spending time with her hubby and baby boy, and dancing to R&B in her living room.
Credentials: SanTasha completed her MSW at Tennesse State University and currently holds the LMSW credential as she is working toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Masters-Level Intern Therapists
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BA; he/him
clinical mental health counseling graduate studentGrayson is currently completing his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. He works with adults facing trauma, grief and loss, transitions, and addiction(s) of all kinds. He is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ population and their challenges both internally and socially. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two cats (Romeo and Lady Macbeth), discovering new music, and exploring his love of photography.
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BA; she/her
marriage & family therapy graduate studentKaitlyn is currently completing her Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy at Lipscomb University. She works with both individuals (adults & teens) and couples navigating trauma, anxiety and depression. She is also passionate about working with women’s issues, healthy relationship skills, and addressing sexual challenges. Kaitlyn’s desire as a therapist is to support her clients in deepening their understanding of themselves, cultivating a sense of empowerment, and creating meaningful changes internally and externally. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, cooking and spending time with her husband and red border collie, Rusty.
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BA, JD; she/her
clinical mental health counseling graduate studentChrissy is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of the Cumberlands.
She works with both individuals (adults & teens) and couples navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and life transitions.
She is also passionate about supporting folks struggling with feeling small or unseen, creative types seeking to find their voice, anyone flailing or feeling purposeless and lost, as well as vegans experiencing “vystopia."
In her free time, Chrissy enjoys writing, running, listening to podcasts + music, and snuggling with her #1 step-dog, Daisy.
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BA; she/her
clinical mental health counseling graduate studentKatelyn is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and enjoys guiding restorative yoga. Katelyn works with adults and teens navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. She is passionate about empowering others to step more fully into their authentic self-expression. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys going to shows, traveling, nature stuff, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her white german shepherd, Zelda.
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BA, MFA; she/her
clinical social work graduate studentLydia works with teens and adults navigating all life changes, anxiety, depression and trauma. Areas of interest include supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as working with clients with questions of sex and sexuality, parenting, complex trauma, and addiction and recovery. Lydia has worked as a creative writing mentor for over a decade and incorporates the healing power of expressive writing into her therapeutic work whenever appropriate. In her spare time she enjoys dancing, reading, hiking, birdwatching, and being outdoors as much as possible.
Additional Support
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she/her
undergraduate internAva Nesmith is currently a sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Neuroscience and Business. Her goal after college is to become a clinical psychologist. In her free time, she loves to read, teach dance classes at the Vanderbilt Rec Center, and spend time with her friends and family.
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she/her + he/him
furry internsWhile Chèvre (Katelyn M's pup) and Zen (Colleen's pup) are not trained therapy dogs, they are well versed in being adorable and providing unconditional support. Whether Katelyn or Colleen is your therapist or not, you may just see them sniffing around or trying to sneak into your session. 🐶
**It is always up to each client's level of comfort whether or not either pup is in your session. Both Chèvre and Zen are hypoallergenic.