Lydia Peelle
BA, MFA; she/hers
clinical social work graduate student
I love helping my clients unlock their creative and intuitive wisdom. I believe our bodies and our earth are linked— and if we are to live well in a post-colonial world, we need to shift to a listening approach: listening to marginalized voices, listening to one another, listening to the non-human species around us, and listening to the earth in whatever place we find ourselves standing on it.
I also believe that…
Everyone can benefit from a therapeutic practice. Whether working with recent life changes, confronting past traumas, or simply going about “life as usual,” regular work with a trusted therapist is essential to living a fully integrated life and being your most authentic self.
Healing is not a linear journey, and we do not walk it alone. As a therapist I am with you to navigate that journey and support you in making sense of what you discover along the way, and let go of what needs to be left behind.
We can unlock the wisdom of our intuitive self and take control of our own stories. Your words have power. Through expressive writing practice as well as traditional talk therapy, together we will develop the skills and tools to find deep self-empathy and compassion for your self and your own lived experience.
We are all deeply connected to our environment. Once we are in right relationship with ourselves, we can then find right relationship with the people, non-human animals, places, and systems that surround us and live a balanced and joyful life.
My purpose at The Gaia Center is provide a space for exploration and healing, both individually and systemtically. That requires learning to listen better to ourselves, our bodies, and each other. I’m here to listen and help you write your own story.
I work with teens and adults navigating all life changes, anxiety, depression, and trauma, and I’m especially passionate about working with clients around issues of sex and sexuality, parenting, complex trauma, and addiction and recovery.
As a creative writing mentor for over a decade, I enjoy incorporating the healing power of expressive writing into my work with clients whenever appropriate.
Credentials:
Lydia is currently a graduate student pursuing her Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She is interning at The Gaia Center to gain clinical experience during her masters program, and has support and supervision with UT as well as clinical supervision with Valerie Martin, LCSW and Colleen Werner, LPC-MHSP.
Lydia also holds a MFA in Fiction, and is an award-winning author of 2 fiction books. She has worked as a writing professor at Vanderbilt and several other universities.
Human First…
When I am not working, you can find me spending time with my family, walking, hiking, birdwatching, or swimming in the ocean every chance I get. As a mother, I understand the importance (and sometimes seemingly impossible!) balance of work and family time.
Do you want to schedule an initial session or phone consultation with Lydia?
Lydia works with adults (individuals and couples) and adolescents 13+.
Fill out the form on our contact page, or reach out to us at hello@gaiacenter.co or 615.270.8117 (call or text). We’ll respond within 24 business hours.
Hours & Rates…
🌱 Typically sees clients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays before 3pm
🌱 Individual 50-minute session is $60 ($75 for couples)
🌱 Individual 75-minute session is $90 ($100 for couples)
🌱 As a graduate intern therapist at The Gaia Center, Lydia offers Pay What You Can therapy with clients who could not otherwise financially access our services. For more info and to apply, visit this form.