Meet Our Team

We may be biased, but we think our team is pretty dang awesome.

grow within, heal together

grow within, heal together

Staff Therapists

Valerie Martin Therapist in Nashville looking at a computer smiling during a virtual therapy session
Valerie Martin therapist in Nashville sitting on an orange couch smiling

  • MSW, LCSW, RYT; she/her
    founder / clinical director & therapist

    Valerie’s focus is on working with folks who are seeking a deeper relationship with self, community, and the earth. She is passionate about the power of hypnotherapy, existential psychology, and yoga for mind + body + spirit healing and growth. Valerie also offers couples / relationship therapy using The Gottman Method, and is a Certified Sex Therapist with AASECT. She is a Ravenclaw, Enneagram 7, advocate for human and animal liberation, and literal tree hugger. Valerie is 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.

Kaitlyn King Therapist in Nashville
Woman with glasses sitting on a yellow chair, wearing a dark cardigan and plaid pants, smiling, with a colorful abstract background.

  • LMFT, ATR; she/they
    therapist + art therapist

    Kaitlyn 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).

    Click here to learn more about Kaitlyn K’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with them.

Sam DiMartino Therapist in Nashville rolling dice on a table
Sam DiMartino therapist in Nashville smiling with a mug sitting in a green chair with a colorful background

  • MSW, LMSW; he/him
    therapist

    Sam 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.

    Click here to learn more about Sam’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with him.

Clara Ndiraya playing an acoustic guitar indoors.
Clara Ndiraya leaning on a wooden counter in a room with a colorful abstract painting, green potted plant, and digital clock.

  • LMSW, ; she/her
    therapist

    Clara 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.

    Click here to learn more about Clara’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.

Emerson Ryder Therapist in Nashville smiling with a colorful background
EMDR Therapist in Nashville working with a client in front of a colorful background

  • MS; she/her
    therapist

    Emerson 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.

    Click here to learn more about Emerson’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.
SanTasha Wright Therapist in Nashville

  • MSW, LMSW; she/her
    therapist

    SanTasha 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.

    Click here to learn more about SanTasha’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.

  • AMFT; they/them
    therapist

    Em is a queer and gender non-conforming therapist passionate about providing affirming couples therapy for LGBTQIA+ folks and those in ethically non-monogamous (ENM) relationships.

    They also work with individuals and specialize in working with eating disorders, sexual challenges, and neurodivergence.

    Em approaches therapy from a trauma informed lens and incorporates elements of narrative, solution focused, and attachment based therapies into their work.

    Em holds sessions in both English and Spanish.

    In their free time Em enjoys dancing, starting (not necessarily finishing) home improvement projects, creating and consuming art, and spending time with their dogs (Jane and Mowgli) and cats (Fern and Pants).

    Credentials: Em completed their Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb University. They hold the Associate Marriage and Family Therapist credential (TN #2852) and are working toward full LMFT licensure under the supervision of Madison Holladay, LMFT.

    Click here to learn more about Em’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with them.

Alissa Bell therapist in Nashville smiling with a colorful background
Alissa Bell therapist in Nashville smiling while working on a puzzle

  • MS; she/her
    therapist

    Alissa works with adults, parents and couples (including non-traditional relationships) navigating trauma, identity exploration, attachment wounds, relational conflict, and major life transitions. Her approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and deeply relational, drawing from Gottman Method , ACT, and attachment theory. She loves supporting individuals exploring ethical non-monogamy, kink, and other non-traditional relationship structures in a sex-positive, affirming environment.

    Alissa loves reading, drinking coffee on the porch, playing mahj with her kids, or spending time with her dog — who also happens to be a trained therapy dog you may occasionally see around the office.

    Credentials: Alissa earned her Bachelors in English Literature and Philosophy from Colgate University and completed her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. She is working towards full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.

    Click here to learn more about Alissa’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with them.

Cassie Meredith taking a sip from a mug while sitting in a green chair
Cassie Meredith Therapist in Nashville smiling with a stack of therapy books

  • MS, A/LPC-MHSP, MT-BC; she/her
    therapist

    Cassie loves working with folks who recognize that something isn’t quite right and who want to connect to the multifaceted roots of that pain. She uses a holistic approach that combines cognitive techniques, somatic (body-based) experiencing, relational approaches, and creative expression to work with individual adults, teens, and family units who find themselves in need of a nonjudgemental space for reflection, exploration, and growth. She is particularly passionate about holding space for “therapy pros,” those who seem to know it all but still don’t feel it in their bones.

    In her free time, Cassie loves hiking, bird watching, quilting, playing board games/TTRPGs, and cuddling with her chinchilla Jim.

    Credentials: Cassie is currently an Associate LPC-MHSP and is working toward full licensure under the supervision of Alyssa Hinesley.

    Click here to learn more about Cassie’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with them.

Masters-Level Intern Therapists

Jenny Conatser sitting in an office chair, smiling and reading a black and yellow book, with a forest-themed mural in the background.
Jenny Conatser smiling, wearing a yellow sleeveless blouse, standing next to a green abstract mural and a light blue wall.

  • BA; M.Ed., she/her
    marriage and family therapy graduate student

    Jenny is currently completing her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree at Trevecca Nazarene University.

    She works with people of all ages – individually, in relationships of all kinds, in groups, and as families – as they engage with the stories of their lives.

    She is especially passionate about existential work and meaning-making, life transitions, grief, sex and intimacy issues, and parenting challenges.

    In her free time, Jenny enjoys lounging by the pool with a book and a Yoo-hoo (the most underrated chocolate drink ☺).

    Click here to learn more about Jenny’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.

Mary Fuchs sitting on a green sofa, smiling and writing on a notepad with a pen, in a well-lit room with bookshelves and houseplants.
Mary Fuchs sitting on a green chair in a room with a colorful mountain landscape painting in the background.

  • BA, she/her
    clinical mental health counseling graduate student

    Mary is currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She currently holds her Bachelors in Family Studies from Ball State University and has spent the past 6 years working with youth and young adults in various settings including sexual health education, juvenile justice intervention and prevention, and crisis counseling.

    Mary works with teens, young adults, and adults to find who they are and to cultivate a positive relationship with themselves despite the experiences, messaging, and/or traumas they have lived through.

    Mary has particular interest in working with women’s issues, perfectionism, and body image concerns, in addition to continuing her work with adolescents and young people.

    In an often isolating and critical world, Mary believes in being a safe space for clients to feel their emotions and talk about their experiences, needs, fears, and lives in a safe space free of judgement or shame.

    In her free time, Mary enjoys going for walks around Nashville, binge watching Bravo shows, perfecting the art of the press-on nail, and spending time with friends, her husband, and snuggling with her cat, Felix.

    Click here to learn more about Mary’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.

Kaela Buggy drawing and coloring with colored pencils from a large set laid out in front of her, smiling and focused on her artwork, in a room with a green wall and a wooden table with a potted plant.
Kaela Buggy wearing a red embroidered sleeveless top, sitting on a green armchair, smiling at the camera with a colorful mountain and forest mural in the background.

  • BA; she/her
    clinical mental health counseling graduate student

    Kaela is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy at Belmont University.

    She brings a background in theology, sociology, and psychology into her clinical work. Kaela is passionate about working with individuals and relationships navigating identity development, spiritual trauma, and relational dynamics.

    In her free time, she enjoys reading with her book club, practicing yoga, and spending time with her dog, Corduroy ("Roy" for short).

    Click here to learn more about Kaela’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.

Rebecca Harris smiling with a book called Self-Compassion
Rebecca Harris Therapist in Nashville smiling with a colorful background

  • BFA, MA, Certified End-of-Life Doula, she/her
    marriage and family therapy graduate student

    Rebecca is currently completing her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree at Trevecca Nazarene University.

    She works with adults, families, and caregivers, including those navigating serious illness, grief, or major life transitions.

    Her approach blends mindfulness, narrative therapy, and CBT, helping clients explore their stories, process emotions, and discover resilience.

    She is also a staff singer in her church choir, enjoys spending time with her husband, dogs and their college-aged kids.

    Click here to learn more about Rebecca’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities, and how to schedule an appointment with her.

Deja'nelle Adams therapist in Nashville smiling with a colorful background

Client Care Coordinator

  • BS; she/her
    administrative assistant

    Rebecca 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.