A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, wearing a brown blouse and earrings, is sitting on a black stool in front of a textured beige wall. She is smiling softly with her arms crossed, and a large bouquet of yellow and white flowers is on the floor next to her.

“ONE of the deepest longings of the human soul is to be seen” - john o’donohue

Welcome — I'm Iris (she/her), a licensed therapist providing trauma-focused, relational therapy in East Nashville and online across Tennessee. I specialize in helping adults navigate grief & loss, heal from the effects of relational trauma, and restore emotional balance and internal harmony.

My clinical experience is rooted in an integrative, holistic model of care. I offer embodied, depth-oriented therapy drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapies, and cognitive and mindfulness-based approaches. I believe we all have a well within us (made up of mind, body and soul) that can facilitate our healing. I am here to help you return to a state of ease, reclaim trust in yourself, and live a life more aligned with your values.

Somewhere along the way, I became very drawn to the duality of life and the way a moment, a season, or a chapter can hold so much beauty and so much sorrow at once. This attunement to the bittersweet is something I bring into the therapy room. I am comfortable sitting in the liminal spaces of life: in loss, in transition, in the territory between hurt and healing. It is where the most important work happens!

I will show up for the parts of you that carry the most shame and fear, meeting them with curiosity and compassion. In this space, we have the opportunity to re-author your story and restore a sense of agency and self-worth.

Outside of being a therapist, I find awe and grounding in the little things and the people I love. I am a deep feeler, a flower enthusiast, and a rescue dog mama. I'm moved by music, get goosebumps often, and I am always up for trying a new restaurant!

I'd love to walk this tender path with you.

A young woman with brown hair styled in loose waves, wearing a brown blouse, blue jeans, and gray boots, sits on a black chair in front of a plain gray, slightly cracked wall. She has a neutral expression and is sitting with her legs crossed and arms resting on her lap. There is a large potted plant with white flowers and greenery on the floor beside her.
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How I work

01

I believe the struggles that bring people to therapy rarely exist in isolation and have roots, history, and a depth worth exploring.

Therapy with me is relational at its core. I believe that attachment and relationships deeply shape how we move through the world, protect ourselves, and express emotion. Valuing authenticity, trust, and collaboration, I invite the present moment into our sessions to guide connection and help reconstruct old patterns.

02

The work I do is oriented around "parts." These are the different aspects of ourselves that emerged as we learned to adapt and cope with what felt too hard or too much. Some of our parts protect us fiercely. Others hold the pain that was pushed aside or exiled over time. In daily life, these parts are often mislabeled as "symptoms" or "problems." However, I believe they are valuable pieces of you that were simply forced into extreme roles.

Therapy is the process of getting curious about these parts. Together, we will seek to understand what they have been carrying and what they have been protecting. Slowly and gently, we help them rest so we can attend to the wounds underneath. As your inner chaos begins to settle, a truer sense of who you are will emerge. The ultimate intention of this work is to help you come home to yourself so you can move through life feeling clearer, more embodied, and more fully alive.

03

Therapy is collaborative and individualized, meaning it is tailored to your specific strengths and goals, and flexes over time to adjust to your development.

I aim to understand the deep intersections of your identity and background, recognizing the unique ways that systemic oppression and trauma impact both soul and body. I am Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned, celebrate all abilities, and proudly affirm LGBTQIA+ individuals. Everyone is welcome exactly as they are.

My therapeutic style is nurturing, honest, and empowering. I bring my genuine self into the room, because human connection is one of the greatest mediums for healing. In this space, you will be met with acceptance, warmth, and dynamic care.

My Background

  • Licensed Professional Counselor — Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP), State of Tennessee, #5234

    Master of Education in Human Development Counseling, Vanderbilt University

    Bachelor of Arts in Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Evergreen Certifications

    Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP), Evergreen Certifications

    Internal Family Systems (IFS) — Advanced continuing education with Senior Lead Trainer Dr. Frank Anderson; Level 1 Institute training pending

    Complex Trauma and Dissociation — Lead Trainer: Kathy Steele, MN, CS

    SomEx™ Modules I & II, Experiential Healing Center, Memphis, TN

    Integrative Hypnotherapy — Lead Trainer: Lindsay Vaughn, PsyD

Seal with green and black border, labeled 'Certified Professional Evergreen Certifications,' 'EG,' and 'CCTP,' for Clinical Trauma Professional.
A circular badge with green, white, and black colors displaying certification phrases for grief counseling professionals.

I named this practice Achillea, after the yarrow plant, a flower long used for both protection and healing. It reminds me that strength and tenderness were never opposites. My hope is that this space helps you hold both: the resilience that has carried you this far, and the softness you may not have had room for until now.

ready to begin?

LET’S TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOGETHER.

Schedule a Free Consultation