Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Nashville

Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. How do you find the right therapist? What happens in the first session? Do you need to know exactly what's wrong before you begin?

At Nashville Counseling Associates, we believe therapy should feel human, collaborative, and approachable. Whether you're looking for individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, adolescent therapy, or a more intensive therapeutic experience, we're here to help you find the right place to begin.

Getting Started

WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON MY FIRST VISIT?

Starting therapy for the first time can feel intimidating, vulnerable, or even a little overwhelming. Those feelings are completely normal, and we want you to know that our goal is to make the process feel as welcoming and comfortable as possible.

When you arrive for your appointment, you can make yourself at home in our waiting room and check in using the iPad located on the wall. Your therapist will then come greet you at your scheduled appointment time.

During your first session, your therapist will spend time getting to know you, learning more about what brought you to counseling, and understanding what support you’re hoping for in this season of life. There is no pressure to share everything perfectly or have it all figured out. The first session is simply a starting point for building connection, understanding your goals, and creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and heard.

DO YOU BILL INSURANCE?

At this time, Nashville Counseling Associates is considered out-of-network with all insurance providers, and we do not directly file insurance claims. However, many insurance plans offer reimbursement for out-of-network counseling services.

We are happy to provide a superbill (an itemized receipt for therapy services) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

You can contact your insurance provider and ask the following questions to better understand your benefits:

Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What percentage of each therapy session is reimbursed?
Is there a deductible I need to meet first?
How do I submit claims or superbills for reimbursement?

WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?

Session fees vary depending on the clinician's experience, credentials, and specialty areas, with rates for NCA therapists generally ranging from $130 to $185 per session. Our graduate-level interns offer sessions at $85 per session, with sliding-scale rates available based on financial need.

Sliding-scale appointments are available as needed and are subject to clinician availability. For current rates and availability, please contact Nashville Counseling Associates directly.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AND WHERE DO I PARK?

Our office is conveniently located in Midtown Nashville at the corner of 19th Avenue North and Church Street, just a few blocks from West End Avenue in the Vanderbilt and St. Thomas Midtown area.

Free parking is available in the garage behind the building, accessible from 19th Avenue, as well as in designated visitor parking spaces.

After entering the building, take the elevator to the 4th floor and make your way to Suite 403.

How do I schedule a therapy appointment with Nashville Counseling Associates?

You can get started by completing the contact form on our website or calling Nashville Counseling Associates at (615) 281-9139. We'll learn a little about what you're looking for and your preferences, then help connect you with a therapist who may be a good fit.

How do I choose the right therapist at Nashville Counseling Associates?

Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. Our team has different specialties, personalities, clinical approaches, and areas of experience. When you reach out, we'll consider what you're hoping to work on, your preferred therapist, age and population, availability, and other preferences to help connect you with someone who fits your needs.

You can also explore our therapist profiles to learn more about each clinician's specialties, populations, and therapeutic approaches.

Do I need to know exactly what I want to work on before starting therapy?

Not at all. Many people begin therapy knowing only that something doesn't feel right. You may feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck, or simply unlike yourself without knowing exactly why. Your therapist can help you make sense of what's happening and identify where you'd like to begin.

What happens during the first therapy session?

Your first session is primarily an opportunity to get to know one another. Your therapist will learn more about what brought you to therapy, what you're experiencing, and what kind of support you're hoping for.

You don't need to have everything figured out or tell your entire story perfectly. The first session is simply a starting point for building connection, understanding your goals, and creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and heard.

How does Nashville Counseling Associates match me with a therapist?

We'll consider the reason you're seeking therapy, your age or relationship needs, therapist specialties, your preferences, and availability. Our goal is to connect you with someone whose experience and therapeutic style fit what you're looking for.

Can I change therapists if my first therapist isn't the right fit?

Yes. Finding the right therapeutic relationship matters. If you don't feel that your therapist is the right fit, we encourage you to talk with us so we can help explore another option within the practice.

Therapy Services

What types of therapy does Nashville Counseling Associates offer?

Nashville Counseling Associates is a group therapy practice in Midtown Nashville offering individual therapy, couples counseling, adolescent therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and experiential group intensives. Therapy is available in person, with online therapy available in Tennessee.

Our therapists work with adults, adolescents, couples, and families across a wide range of emotional, relational, and life concerns.

Where can I find individual therapy in Nashville?

Nashville Counseling Associates offers individual therapy in Midtown Nashville for adults and adolescents. Individual therapy can provide space to work through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, self-worth, perfectionism, OCD, addiction and recovery, life transitions, identity questions, and other personal challenges.

Our therapists tailor treatment to each person's goals, history, personality, and needs.

Does Nashville Counseling Associates offer individual therapy in Midtown Nashville?

Yes. NCA offers individual therapy from its office at 1900 Church Street, Suite 403, in Midtown Nashville. Individual therapy is available for adults and adolescents, with specific populations and age ranges varying by therapist.

What can individual therapy help with?

People come to NCA for many different reasons. Our therapists work with concerns including anxiety, stress, burnout, depression, trauma and unresolved past experiences, relationship struggles, betrayal and infidelity, OCD and intrusive thoughts, addiction and substance use, grief and loss, life transitions, self-worth, perfectionism, identity concerns, family conflict, and spiritual concerns.

The best place to begin is with what you're experiencing rather than trying to determine the perfect diagnosis or treatment before reaching out.

Do you offer therapy for anxiety and depression in Nashville?

Yes. Several NCA therapists work with anxiety, depression, overthinking, burnout, low self-esteem, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, and related concerns. Treatment is tailored to each individual and may incorporate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Gottman Method techniques, and other evidence-based, relational, trauma-informed, or experiential approaches.

Do you offer trauma therapy in Nashville?

Yes. Several NCA therapists work with trauma and PTSD, including unresolved experiences that continue to affect relationships, emotions, self-worth, or day-to-day life. Depending on the therapist and your needs, trauma work may incorporate approaches such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, trauma-focused CBT, IFS, and other relational or experiential approaches.

Do you offer OCD therapy in Nashville?

Yes. OCD and intrusive thoughts are among the concerns addressed by therapists at Nashville Counseling Associates. If you're experiencing unwanted thoughts, compulsive behaviors, reassurance-seeking, or anxiety around intrusive thoughts, we can help connect you with a therapist whose training and experience are appropriate for your needs.

Do you offer therapy for grief and loss?

Yes. Grief can follow the death of someone you love, but it can also accompany divorce, relationship changes, major life transitions, loss of identity, or other significant changes. NCA therapists provide a supportive space to process grief, make meaning of what has changed, and move forward without feeling pressured to simply "get over it."

Do you offer therapy for relationship problems?

Yes. Relationship concerns are a significant part of the work at NCA. Individual therapy can help with relationship patterns, boundaries, attachment, communication, codependency, self-worth, and recurring relational difficulties. We also offer couples counseling for partners who want to work on their relationship together.

Do you offer therapy for life transitions?

Yes. Major transitions can bring uncertainty, anxiety, grief, or questions about identity and direction. Our therapists work with people navigating changes in relationships, careers, family structures, parenthood, divorce, identity, and other seasons of life.

Do you offer therapy for perfectionism and burnout?

Yes. Several NCA therapists work with perfectionism, self-criticism, high achievement, burnout, anxiety, and the feeling of being successful on the outside while struggling internally. Therapy can help you understand the patterns beneath those experiences and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself, your work, and the people around you.

Couples Counseling

How do I schedule couples counseling in Nashville?

You can contact Nashville Counseling Associates through our online contact form or by calling (615) 281-9139. We'll learn more about what you're looking for and help connect you with a couples therapist whose experience and approach fit your needs.

What can couples counseling help with?

Couples counseling can help partners who feel stuck in recurring conflict, disconnected or misunderstood, or uncertain about how to move forward. NCA works with couples navigating communication difficulties, emotional distance, trust issues, betrayal and infidelity, intimacy concerns, parenting and co-parenting challenges, life transitions, and other relationship struggles.

Can couples counseling help with relationship problems?

Yes. Couples therapy can provide a structured space to slow down conflict, understand the patterns beneath arguments, communicate needs more clearly, rebuild trust, and create greater emotional connection.

Our therapists often use relational and attachment-based approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method principles.

How effective is couples therapy?

Research supports couples therapy as an effective treatment for many relationship concerns, although outcomes depend on the couple's circumstances, goals, engagement, and therapeutic fit. At NCA, couples counseling focuses not only on resolving individual disagreements but on understanding the relational patterns that keep couples stuck.

Do you offer premarital counseling?

Yes. NCA provides couples counseling that can be proactive and supportive for partners who want to strengthen their relationship before problems deepen, including couples preparing for marriage.

Do you offer counseling after infidelity or betrayal?

Yes. Betrayal and infidelity can deeply affect trust, emotional safety, and connection. Couples counseling can provide a structured environment to understand what happened, process the resulting emotions, establish boundaries, and determine how to move forward.

What if my partner doesn't want to come to couples counseling?

It can be difficult when one partner is ready for therapy and the other isn't. Individual therapy can still provide a place to understand your own needs, patterns, boundaries, and options. You don't necessarily have to wait for your partner to be ready before seeking support.

Family & Adolescent Therapy

What can I expect from family therapy in Nashville?

Family therapy focuses on the relationships and patterns within the family rather than simply identifying one "problem person." Sessions may explore communication, conflict, parenting stress, family transitions, behavioral concerns, grief, anxiety, divorce, blended-family dynamics, and other challenges affecting the family system.

The goal is to help family members feel heard and understood while developing healthier ways of communicating and connecting.

How do I schedule family therapy in Nashville?

You can contact Nashville Counseling Associates through the contact form or by calling (615) 281-9139. We'll learn more about your family's needs and help connect you with an appropriate therapist.

What is family therapy for?

Family therapy may be helpful when families are experiencing ongoing conflict, communication difficulties, parenting challenges, divorce or separation, blended-family stress, behavioral concerns, grief, anxiety, or major family transitions.

Do you offer therapy for adolescents and teenagers in Nashville?

Yes. NCA provides individual therapy for adolescents and teens. Our therapists work with young people navigating anxiety, depression, social challenges, identity development, perfectionism, academic pressure, family conflict, emotional regulation, trauma, grief, substance misuse, and other concerns.

Therapists work collaboratively with teens while involving parents or caregivers when appropriate.

How does therapy for teenagers work?

Adolescent therapy gives teens a supportive, nonjudgmental space to talk openly, understand their emotions, develop healthier coping skills, and navigate relationships and growing pressures. Building trust and emotional safety is an important part of the process.

Online Therapy

Does Nashville Counseling Associates offer online therapy?

Yes. Nashville Counseling Associates offers online therapy in addition to in-person therapy at our Midtown Nashville office.

Online therapy may be available for individual and other services depending on the therapist, client, and circumstances. Reach out to learn what options are currently available.

Can I do individual therapy online in Tennessee?

Yes. NCA offers online individual therapy for clients located in Tennessee, subject to therapist availability and applicable licensing requirements.

Can I do couples counseling online?

Online couples counseling is available to any couple that resides in the state of Tennessee through Nashville Counseling Associates

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Online therapy can be an effective option for many people and offers additional flexibility and accessibility. Whether online or in person is the better fit depends on your preferences, circumstances, therapeutic needs, and the type of work you're seeking.

Group Therapy & Intensives

What is group therapy?

Group therapy at NCA are ongoing process groups. It's a space that brings together people who are working through similar challenges in a structured therapeutic environment. Groups can provide opportunities for connection, shared understanding, feedback, and practicing new ways of relating to yourself and others.

Group therapy is also wonderful to receive weekly care from a therapist at a lower rate than individual sessions.

What are group therapy intensives?

Group intensives are immersive therapeutic experiences designed to help participants move beyond surface-level insight and engage more deeply in personal growth and healing. NCA's intensives combine experiential work, guided processing, and relational support over several consecutive days.

They may be particularly helpful for people who feel emotionally stuck, are navigating unresolved pain or recurring relational patterns, or want a deeper therapeutic experience than traditional weekly therapy can provide.

What can a group intensive help with?

NCA group intensives may support people working through unresolved trauma or emotional pain, recurring relational or emotional patterns, attachment wounds, difficulty with vulnerability or emotional expression, and a desire for deeper self-awareness and healthier coping strategies.

Intensives can also complement ongoing individual therapy.

What is the difference between weekly therapy and an intensive?

Traditional weekly therapy typically involves meeting with a therapist on a recurring basis, allowing you to work through concerns gradually over time. An intensive provides a more concentrated period of therapeutic work, often involving several consecutive days of focused sessions.

Neither format is inherently better. The right approach depends on your goals, needs, circumstances, and readiness for the level of therapeutic depth and time commitment involved.

How do I join a group therapy intensive at Nashville Counseling Associates?

NCA's group intensives are offered periodically. You can complete the interest form on our Intensives page to let us know you're interested. Current offerings, availability, and acceptance are determined by the specific intensive.

How much does a Nashville Counseling Associates group intensive cost?

The current group intensive listed by NCA has a total cost of $2,000. A $500 deposit is due upon acceptance, with the remaining balance due before the intensive begins. Pricing may vary for future offerings, so contact NCA for current information.

Therapy Approaches

What therapy approaches do Nashville Counseling Associates therapists use?

NCA therapists draw from a range of evidence-based, relational, trauma-informed, and experiential approaches. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Gottman Method techniques.

Not every therapist uses every approach. Your therapist will tailor treatment to your goals and needs.

Do you offer EMDR therapy in Nashville?

Yes. EMDR is one of the therapeutic approaches used by clinicians at Nashville Counseling Associates. EMDR may be used as part of trauma-focused work and can help clients process distressing experiences and the ways those experiences continue to affect them.

Do you offer Brainspotting in Nashville?

Yes. Brainspotting is one of the experiential approaches used by NCA therapists. It may be incorporated into trauma-informed therapy and work involving emotional experiences that feel difficult to access through traditional talk therapy alone.

Do you offer CBT in Nashville?

Yes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the evidence-based approaches used by NCA therapists. CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and can be helpful for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and patterns of self-criticism.

Do you offer IFS therapy in Nashville?

Yes. Some NCA therapists incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS) into their work. IFS can help clients develop greater curiosity and compassion toward different parts of themselves while exploring the experiences and protective patterns underlying emotional struggles.

Do you offer Emotionally Focused Therapy?

Yes. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an attachment-based, experiential approach used with both individuals and couples at NCA. EFT focuses on emotional patterns, attachment needs, and the ways people seek connection, safety, and responsiveness in relationships.

Cost, Insurance & Location

How much does therapy at Nashville Counseling Associates cost?

Sliding-scale appointments are available as needed and are subject to clinician availability. For current rates and availability, please contact Nashville Counseling Associates directly.

Does Nashville Counseling Associates accept insurance?

NCA is considered out-of-network with insurance providers and does not directly file insurance claims. However, some insurance plans provide reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services.

NCA can provide a superbill, which is an itemized receipt you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

Before beginning therapy, you can contact your insurance provider and ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits, reimbursement percentage, deductible, and claim-submission process.

Does NCA offer reduced-fee therapy?

Yes. Nashville Counseling Associates offers a limited number of reduced-fee appointments based on financial need and availability. Contact the practice to ask about current options.

Where is Nashville Counseling Associates located?

Our office is conveniently located near West End Avenue, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, and many of Nashville's major healthcare, education, government, and corporate employers. We're also easily accessible from Music Row, Downtown Nashville, The Gulch, Hillsboro Village, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Convenient to Nashville's Major Employers

Our Midtown Nashville office is conveniently located for professionals, students, healthcare workers, and families who live or work throughout the Midtown, West End, Music Row, and Downtown areas. Nashville Counseling Associates is near major employers and institutions including:

Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Ascension Saint Thomas
HCA Healthcare
Amazon
Asurion
State of Tennessee
Metro Nashville Government
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Bridgestone Americas
Oracle
AllianceBernstein
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Ingram Content Group
Community Health Systems
UnitedHealthcare
National Healthcare Corporation (NHC)
LifePoint Health
Dollar General
Tractor Supply Company
Nissan North America
Western Express

NCA's Midtown location makes it convenient to schedule therapy before work, during a lunch break, or after work for many Nashville-area professionals. Major Nashville employers include healthcare systems, universities, government agencies, technology companies, financial services firms, and other corporate organizations.

Is parking available at Nashville Counseling Associates?

Yes. Free parking is available in the garage behind the building, accessible from 19th Avenue, as well as in designated visitor parking spaces. The parking lot is incredibly easy to find and navigate. Once inside the building, take the elevator to the fourth floor and go to Suite 403.

Finding the Right Kind of Support

How do I find a therapist for emotional healing in Nashville?

Start by thinking less about finding the "perfect" therapist and more about finding someone whose experience, approach, and personality fit what you're going through.

At NCA, our therapists work with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, self-worth, perfectionism, addiction and recovery, OCD, family conflict, and other emotional challenges.

When you reach out, we'll help connect you with a therapist whose specialties and approach align with your needs.

Can therapy help me develop greater self-awareness?

Yes. Developing greater self-awareness is a common part of therapy. Therapy can help you understand your emotions, patterns, relationships, beliefs, needs, and protective strategies with greater clarity and compassion.

At NCA, we believe meaningful change often begins with understanding what's happening beneath the surface.

What does "emotional healing" mean in therapy?

Emotional healing isn't about eliminating difficult emotions or never struggling again. It can mean developing a deeper understanding of yourself, processing experiences that continue to affect you, building healthier patterns, strengthening relationships, and feeling more capable of navigating life's challenges.

What makes Nashville Counseling Associates different from traditional counseling?

NCA believes therapy should feel human—not clinical or intimidating. Our therapists take a collaborative approach, combining professional training with genuine curiosity about each person's story.

We don't believe there is one right way to do therapy. Different people need different approaches, which is why our clinicians draw from a range of evidence-based, relational, trauma-informed, and experiential modalities.

Where can I find therapy for life challenges in Nashville?

Nashville Counseling Associates provides therapy in Midtown Nashville for individuals, couples, families, and adolescents. Our therapists support clients through a wide range of life challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, grief, identity questions, burnout, perfectionism, family conflict, addiction and substance use, and major life transitions.

You don't need to have the right words for what you're experiencing before reaching out. We can help you figure out where to begin.