Archive for:

The holiday season can lift spirits and overload schedules at the same time. Travel, traffic, late nights, and family dynamics stack up quickly. Holiday gatherings may bring joy for some and strain for others. Financial stress, changes in routine, and social media comparison can push small worries into big ones. If this stretch tends to feel overwhelming, keeping therapy consistent makes a real difference. Teletherapy lets you stay connected to care through every airport, guest room, and busy kitchen.

Southeast Psych Nashville offers secure telehealth for clients across Tennessee, with in person options for those in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin. Sessions can continue while you travel, even when your calendar is tight or unpredictable.

Why consistency matters in November and December

Stress is cumulative. When support drops out, symptoms often rise. People describe sleep disruptions, irritability, and a slow slide into anxious loops. Some report increased use of alcohol as a way to take the edge off holiday stress. Others feel grief during the holidays after a loss that still aches. Family conflicts surface in small comments and old patterns. Consistent sessions provide a pressure valve, a structured time to reset, and a place to plan the week ahead.

How teletherapy fits real holiday schedules

You can speak to a therapist from a quiet car, a private corner, or a spare room before breakfast. Many clients schedule around holiday meals, school events, and flights. Teletherapy removes commute time, which frees a chunk of time you can use for rest or errands. Licensed psychologists and clinical social workers deliver the same quality of care online, and coordination with primary care or psychiatry can continue without disruption.

Build a travel friendly therapy plan

Think through the next four to six weeks. Make a quick list of high stress days, such as travel dates or large holiday gatherings. Add your session windows around those anchors. Share the plan with your clinician so you can prepare together.

Set up a simple privacy kit. Headphones, a phone stand, and a small notebook cover most needs. If you are staying with friends or family, let one trusted person know you have a standing call and will be unavailable for that period. If Wi Fi is unreliable, switch to audio only for a session rather than skipping. The aim is steady contact, not perfection.

Strengthen support systems before you leave

Identify two or three people you can text or call if you hit a rough patch. Friends or family who listen without fixing are valuable during a difficult time. Send a short message now. I am heading into a busy month and trying to keep my footing. Can I text you if I need a quick reset. Identifying supportive people before stress spikes makes it easier to reach out when you need to.

Developing coping strategies you can use anywhere

Keep skills portable and brief so you can use them in a guest room or a parking lot.

Breath practice. In for four, hold for four, out for six. Repeat for two minutes before events that raise your heart rate.

Grounding. Name five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, one you taste. Use this when anxiety rises during a conversation.

Micro movement. Ten squats, a short walk around the block, or a few stretches near a sunny window. Physical activity helps regulate stress and resets attention.

Mindful moments. Practicing mindfulness does not require a mat or an app. Notice the first sip of coffee, the feel of the air on your face, or the sound of morning. A minute of attention can shift the tone of an hour.

Boundaries. Prepare two lines for common pressure points. I am skipping alcohol tonight. Please stop asking. I am stepping outside for ten minutes and will be back for dinner. Short, clear language prevents spirals.

Manage holiday triggers with intention

Holiday meals and long afternoons can create friction. Plan ahead for food, alcohol, and rest. Eat a balanced plate early in the day so you are not running on sugar at night. Decide in advance how you will respond to drink offers if you are reducing or abstaining. Set an exit time for events and stick to it.

Social media can amplify stress and comparison. Set a daily limit or take a brief break. Replace scrolling with one small action that supports mental health, such as a walk, a call, or ten minutes with a book.

Money worries add pressure. If gifts are part of your tradition, set a clear budget and choose low cost options early. Honest talks with family can reduce expectations. Financial stress is easier to handle when plans are simple and shared.

Signs you should contact a professional now

Reach out to mental health professionals quickly if you notice persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, panic that does not settle, or thoughts of self harm. Contact emergency services if you are in immediate danger. Otherwise, use teletherapy to get rapid support, adjust your stress management plan, and add care between scheduled sessions when needed.

What progress looks like during the season

Progress does not always feel dramatic. Look for quieter wins. You sleep through the night for the first time in a week. You leave a gathering on time and feel steady in the car home. You handle a hard conversation with less reactivity. You take a break when irritability peaks and return to the room calm. These are markers of a plan working. Stay with the routine and keep your sessions.

Local care that travels with you

Southeast Psych Nashville supports clients across Tennessee with teletherapy through the holidays. We work with adults, teens, and families who want practical tools and steady support. Our team includes psychologists and clinical social workers who can help with stress management, grief during the holidays, and the relational challenges that often show up in this season.

As fall and winter approach, daylight fades and routines change. Many people in Middle Tennessee notice shifts in mood and energy that arrive with the first cool mornings and earlier sunsets. The change can feel subtle at first. For some, the slump grows and begins to affect sleep, focus, and motivation. If shorter days tend to throw you off, prepare now with a simple plan that protects mood and energy levels.

Why shorter days affect how you feel

Sunlight exposure helps regulate mood by setting the body’s clock. Morning light reinforces circadian rhythms, which in turn regulates sleep, appetite, and alertness. When natural light declines, melatonin timing can drift and serotonin levels may dip. The result is fatigue, carb cravings, and a heavier emotional tone. In some people, the pattern progresses to seasonal affective disorder, often shortened to SAD. Hallmark signs include low mood most of the day, loss of interest in activities, oversleeping, and concentration problems that last for weeks.

A light based plan that fits real life

Use morning light on purpose. Get outside within an hour of waking for ten to twenty minutes. Face the sky, not your phone. This small habit gives your brain a strong daytime signal and sets the countdown for healthy sleep at night. If you leave before sunrise or work inside, add a light therapy box that delivers about ten thousand lux. Use it in the first hour of the day for twenty to thirty minutes while you read or plan. People who pair outdoor light with a device indoors see faster gains when seasons shift.

Protect sleep so energy can rebound

Keep a steady wake time seven days a week. Anchor the first half hour with light, movement, and hydration. Set an evening wind down that starts at the same time most nights. Dim lights, reduce screens, and avoid heavy meals late. Good sleep is not luck. It is a routine that you repeat until it feels automatic. Consistent sleep supports mood and makes other habits easier to maintain.

Move your body even when motivation is low

Physical activity is a reliable mood elevator during darker months. Aim for short daily sessions. Ten minutes of brisk walking at lunch, bodyweight strength after work, or a quick circuit during a study break. If you already train, schedule your workouts like appointments. If you struggle to start, recruit a friend and meet outside for a walk. Movement multiplies the benefits of light and helps regulate sleep.

Eat to support brain chemistry

Simple nutrition choices matter. Include protein at breakfast to steady energy in the morning. Add produce to most meals for fiber and micronutrients. Consider omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, sardines, walnuts, or a quality supplement after you speak with your doctor. Steady meals and hydration protect against afternoon crashes that arrive when daylight is limited.

Build small anchors into your week

Shorter days can feel overwhelming when the calendar empties and screens fill the gaps. Put a few anchors on the schedule now. A weekly coffee with a friend, a class you enjoy, or a weekend hike when the leaves turn. Social contact and shared routines support mental health and keep isolation from creeping in. If you have a faith community or volunteer group, commit to one regular role through winter.

Know when to call a professional

Self care helps, but some seasons require more support. Reach out to mental health professionals if symptoms persist for two weeks or more, if daily tasks slip, or if you notice recurrent thoughts of hopelessness. Treatment options include cognitive and behavioral therapy focused on sleep and activity scheduling, light therapy protocols, and coordination with a prescriber when medication is appropriate. Evidence based care can shorten the duration of symptoms and prevent the pattern from repeating in the next season.

A simple checklist to start this week

• Morning outdoor light or a light therapy box
  • Fixed wake time and a wind down routine that actually happens
  • Daily movement that is short and repeatable
  • Protein at breakfast, produce most meals, consider omega-3 fatty acids with medical guidance
  • One social anchor and one enjoyable activity on the calendar
  • Call a clinician if symptoms last or worsen

Prepare now so the season feels intentional rather than reactive. Middle Tennessee winters are brief, yet the combination of early sunsets and indoor time can still impact mental health. Small daily moves add up when you repeat them through the darker months.

Local care that fits your schedule

Southeast Psych Nashville serves adults, teens, and families across Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin. We offer in person therapy and telehealth across Tennessee with daytime and evening appointments. Our clinicians can help you build a light, sleep, movement, and coping plan tailored to your routine, and adjust it as the season shifts.

Take the next step

Serving Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin with seasonal mood care, light therapy guidance, and skills that regulate mood through fall and winter. Call 615-373-9955 to schedule or visit the website to get started.

Midterms arrive fast. The calendar fills, sleep gets choppy, and small delays snowball into late nights. If you are feeling overwhelmed, use this 10 day sprint to stabilize your routine and raise your scores. The plan fits students at Vanderbilt, Belmont, Lipscomb, TSU, and community colleges across Middle Tennessee. Adjust the times to your schedule and commit to each step.

Day 1. Map the field

List every exam, due date, and grading weight. Rank classes by impact on your grade. Choose two primary targets and one secondary. Block study windows on a calendar. Treat them like class. You will manage your time better when the plan is visible.

Day 2. Gather and prune

Collect slides, notes, past quizzes, and study guides. Remove duplicates. Create one folder per class with a single master document for key concepts. Clutter feeds anxiety. Clean materials support focus.

Day 3. Learn by teaching

Explain core ideas out loud as if you were tutoring a friend. Record a two minute voice memo per chapter. You will expose gaps quickly. Fill them with short readings or a quick question set.

Day 4. Office hours and quick fixes

Go to office hours with a short list. One concept you do not understand. One problem you want solved. One recommendation for practice problems. Talk to your professors early in the week. Small gains now prevent panic later.

Day 5. Practice under pressure

Run a timed set that mirrors the test. No notes. Grade it immediately. Log errors and patterns. Adjust your plan to attack the highest yield gaps. Repeat for the second target class.

Day 6. Consolidate

Create one page cheat sheets per unit. Formulas, dates, steps, definitions. Handwriting helps memory. If you study digitally, type and then read aloud. End with ten active recall questions per class.

Day 7. Work the schedule

Study in focused blocks. Forty minutes on, ten off. Rotate subjects to prevent fatigue. Keep your phone out of reach. Snack on real food, hydrate, and walk for five minutes every two hours. You manage your time best when your body has fuel and a rhythm.

Day 8. Group check

Meet a study partner for one hour. Each person brings three questions and two problems to teach. Keep it tight. If a large group drifts, leave early and return to solo work. Study groups help when they test you, not when they ramble.

Day 9. Sleep as strategy

Aim for a full night. Review only high yield items after dinner. No new content. Pack your bag and set alarms before you wind down. A rested brain retrieves faster and makes fewer mistakes.

Day 10. Game day routine

Arrive early. Breathe slowly for one minute. Skim your cheat sheet if you have one. Start with items you can finish quickly to build momentum. Mark tough questions and return. Keep your pace steady.

If you fall behind

Reset with a half day triage session. Choose one class to push over the line. Email the professor if you need clarification. Ask what will move the needle most. Small steps count in midterm survival.

When stress stays high

If anxiety blocks memory or you freeze during tests, talk to a counselor. Skills for performance and study are trainable. You can learn them faster with the right structure and feedback.

Local support

Southeast Psych Nashville helps college students in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin build efficient study systems and test day routines. Telehealth is available across Tennessee for students with tight schedules.

Take the next step

Serving Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin with academic coaching, anxiety treatment, and performance support. Call 615-373-9955 to schedule or visit the website to get started.

If you or someone with you is in immediate danger, call 911. In the United States, you can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day. Use a safe phone and location.

Suicidal thinking touches many families. Parents, partners, and close friends often see subtle shifts before a crisis breaks open. Learning the warning signs of suicide gives you a chance to act early and steer a loved one toward safety. Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin families can prepare now with a clear plan that blends compassion, practical steps, and fast access to help.

Warning signs that need attention

Warning signs vary, yet some patterns are common. Watch for a cluster rather than a single moment.

• Talking about wanting to die, feeling like a burden, or having no reason to live
  • Extreme mood swings or a sudden lift in mood after a long low period
  • Withdrawal from family members, friends, school, or work
  • Increasing use of alcohol or drugs, especially to cope with distress
  • Giving away valued possessions or saying goodbye in unusual ways
  • Agitation, rage, or reckless behavior that is out of character
  • Changes in sleep, appetite, or personal care
  • Searching for methods or making specific plans
  • Past suicide attempts or rehearsals that were kept secret

Take words and actions at face value. Treat statements about death as real risk, even if they sound casual or offhand.

Risk factors that raise concern

Risk rises when warning signs combine with known stressors. Recent painful event or loss. Relationship endings, legal trouble, job loss, or humiliation can push a vulnerable person toward crisis. Certain health conditions, including major depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or chronic pain, raise baseline risk. Family history of suicide attempts also matters. Access to lethal means increases danger in the home. Heavy or escalating substance use lowers inhibition and increases impulsive acts. These factors do not predict behavior on their own. They do tell you to pay closer attention and move faster.

How to start the conversation

Many relatives avoid direct language because they fear making things worse. Ask plainly and with care. I have noticed you seem overwhelmed, and I am worried about your safety. Have you had thoughts about suicide. If the answer is yes, ask if there is a plan, a method, or a timeline. Stay calm. Listen more than you speak. Do not debate or minimize. Reflect what you hear. Thank the person for trusting you. Then move to the next step together.

What to do in a crisis

If there is a plan, access to lethal means, or intent to act, treat it as an emergency. Call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Stay with the person if you can do so safely. Remove medications, alcohol, weapons, and sharp objects from the immediate area. Ask a second family member or neighbor to help. If you need to drive to an emergency department, buckle in, keep the conversation steady, and avoid arguments. Your job is to keep the person breathing and supervised until trained help takes over.

If risk is present but not immediate, call or text 988 together. Counselors can help you de escalate, create a short-term safety plan, and advise on next steps. The call is free and confidential.

Steps that prevent suicide at home

Create a written safety plan when the household is calm. Include warning signs, internal coping strategies, and people to contact in order. List family members and friends who can stay with the person during peak risk hours. Store medications in a locked box and dispense only what is needed. Remove firearms from the home or secure them with multiple layers, including off-site storage when possible. Limit alcohol in the home. These steps reduce opportunity while treatment begins.

How treatment helps

Suicidal thinking is a signal that something needs care. Evidence based therapies teach skills that reduce risk over time. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people spot negative thoughts that drive urgency and replace them with balanced statements they can use under pressure. Dialectical behavior therapy teaches distress tolerance skills that lower the chance of acting on a suicidal urge. Medication can stabilize mood when depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis is part of the picture. Treatment often includes regular check ins, crisis planning, and coordination with primary care. Progress shows up as longer stretches of calm, faster recovery after stress, and a return to daily routines.

How family members can support recovery

Structure the day. Predictable sleep, meals, and brief movement lower risk. Keep appointments visible on a shared calendar and offer rides when needed. Limit alcohol or drugs in the home. Watch for isolation in the evening and on weekends, when risk often rises. Encourage simple tasks that restore a sense of competence. Small chores, a short walk, or a call to a friend count.

Talk openly and often. Ask how the person is doing, not just what they are doing. Use short, clear questions and match your tone to the seriousness of the moment. Offer to sit nearby without talking if that helps. Share hope without pressure. You do not need to fix everything today. You only need to stay connected and keep the next step in view.

When kids and teens are involved

Young people can show risk in different ways. School refusal, sudden drops in grades, or intense fights with peers can signal rising danger. Monitor social media and online searches if you are concerned. Remove access to medications and sharp objects from bedrooms and bathrooms. Loop in school counselors when appropriate so supervision extends beyond the home. For teens, ask directly about suicidal thoughts and about friends who might be at risk. Many adolescents carry secrets that feel too heavy. Your calm questions can open the door.

Nashville area resources and follow up

Families in Middle Tennessee can work with local clinicians who understand crisis care and the steps that prevent suicide long term. Outpatient therapy can begin after a hospital visit or alongside a safety plan at home. Some clients need intensive programs during the first weeks after a close call. Others do well with weekly therapy and strong family support. Recovery is possible with treatment, time, and steady connection.

Local care that meets you where you are

Southeast Psych Nashville serves adults, teens, and families in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin. Our clinicians provide suicide risk assessment, safety planning, coordination with medical providers, and ongoing therapy that strengthens coping skills and restores daily life. We offer in person and telehealth options across Tennessee. If you are unsure where to begin, a single phone call can start the process.

Take the next step

Serving Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin with suicide risk assessment, crisis planning, and evidence based therapy that supports mental health and family safety. For emergencies call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For appointments call 615-373-9955.

Every family wants a school year that feels safe and steady. That requires a plan that starts at home and continues on campus. Bullying harassment harms learning, confidence, and relationships. The fastest path to change is a partnership between parents and caregivers, trusted adults at school, and students who know how to speak up for themselves and for peers.

Southeast Psych Nashville works with families across Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin to strengthen that partnership. Use this guide to spot warning signs, support your child, and work with your school district to stop bullying and improve school climate.

What counts as bullying

Bullying involves a pattern of harm, a power imbalance, and intent to control or humiliate. It can be physical, verbal, social, or online. That means rumors, exclusion, slurs, threats, and invasive photos belong in the same conversation as shoving in the hallway. Many students will not use the word bullying. They say things like, they never let me sit with them, or my phone blows up at night. Treat the behavior, not the label.

Warning signs to watch

Some children tell you directly. Many do not. Watch for these signals.

• Unexplained injuries or missing items
  • Avoidance of specific classes, hallways, or buses
  • Sudden drops in grades or refusal to attend activities
  • Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood
  • Headaches, stomachaches, or nurse visits that cluster around school days
  • Deleted messages, new accounts, or secrecy with devices

If several warning signs show up together, start a calm check in and gather details before you act.

Start at home with skills and language

Open a standing conversation about peer dynamics. Keep it brief and regular. Ask, who are your trusted adults at school, and how would you reach them during the day. Practice a two sentence script for reporting bullying, I felt unsafe when you posted that, I am asking you to delete it, and I will report it if it happens again. Teach boundary language that is clear and short. No name calling. Stop. I am walking away.

Coach your child to save evidence. Screenshots, dates, times, and names matter for reporting bullying to the right staff member. For online behavior, set device rules that protect sleep and reduce late night spirals. Curfew the phone, charge outside the bedroom, and keep notifications quiet during homework.

Partner with your school district

Strong bullying prevention depends on clear communication with the school. Ask for the written policy that defines bullying harassment, outlines investigation steps, and lists reporting paths for students and parents and caregivers. Many districts provide an online form. Use it and keep a copy for your records. Include who was involved, what happened, where it occurred, and any evidence. Ask for the timeline for the response and who will follow up.

Once the immediate risk is addressed, ask about prevention programs and supervision in hotspots such as cafeterias, hallways, locker rooms, and buses. Healthy school climate grows when adults are visible and consistent. Volunteer when you can, and attend parent forums that review data on incidents and outcomes.

Help your child respond in the moment

Most children need scripts and practice, not speeches. Role play three scenarios. A snide comment in class. A group chat that turns cruel. A shove in the hallway. Pair each with a short response, a safe exit, and a plan to tell a trusted adult. Teach your child to back up a classmate without escalating. Stand next to the target, change the subject, and invite them to leave with you. Bystander action is a core part of bullying prevention, and many children will act if they have a simple plan.

If your child is accused of bullying

Respond with calm accountability. Get the facts. Meet with staff. Make expectations concrete at home. Apologize and repair harm when appropriate, and monitor follow through. Many students who bully are struggling with skills, stress, or status. Therapy can target impulse control, empathy building, and better ways to gain social ground. Pair home limits with school consequences and support, not with inconsistency.

When to seek professional help

Bullying can trigger anxiety, depression, school refusal, or panic. If symptoms persist, involve a therapist who understands school systems. Treatment may focus on coping strategies, assertive communication, and parent coaching. Group work can also help children practice real conversations and rebuild confidence in a safe setting.

Nashville area resources and next steps

You do not have to navigate this alone. A small team, aligned on a plan, can change the tone of a semester. Start at home, bring school into the loop, and keep communication steady. The goal is simple. Protect the child, stop bullying, and improve the environment for everyone.

Take the next step

Serving Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin with child, teen, and family counseling, school collaboration, and parent coaching. Call 615-373-9955 to schedule or visit the website to get started.

Teachers across Middle Tennessee see the same pattern every fall. Bright students lose track of assignments, forget materials, and stall out once the bell rings. Many of these students live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The common thread is executive function challenges that block progress on school work. When families and schools teach children simple, repeatable skills, grades improve and stress falls for everyone at home.

Southeast Psych Nashville works with students in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin who struggle with executive functioning skills. We focus on practical tools that help a student plan organize, start and finish tasks, and manage time during a busy school day. The goal is steady gains that a student can carry from class to class and year to year.

What executive functions do in school

Executive functions are the brain skills that help a student decide what to do, when to do it, and how to keep going when the work gets hard. Key parts include working memory, time management, organization, task initiation, and self-monitoring. Students with ADHD often have uneven growth in these areas. That uneven growth shows up as missing homework, half-finished projects, and difficulty completing a task once the first burst of effort fades. Skill training changes the trajectory because it replaces guesswork with clear routines.

Classroom pain points you can fix now

Start here if a student begins to struggle with executive demands.

1. Materials and backpack chaos
   Create a simple system that travels from class to class. One color per subject. One folder per subject with “To Do” on the left and “Done” on the right. Add a two-minute closeout at the end of each period. Papers move before the student leaves the room. This protects working memory and cuts down on late papers.
2. Missing or late work
   Post assignments in one predictable place and teach children to check it the same way every day. Pair the list with a short checklist: What is due, what resources are needed, how long will it take, when will I do it. Students with ADHD benefit from seeing the plan outside their head.
3. Long tasks that never finish
   Break large projects into parts and set micro-deadlines. Ten minutes to outline, fifteen minutes to draft, five minutes to upload. Use visible timers so time management stops being a guess. Small wins build momentum and make completing a task more likely.
4. Transitions that derail focus
   Use short routines to enter and exit work. Sit. Open the planner. Write the next action. Start the timer. End with a quick self-check: Did I do what I planned. Predictable steps reduce decision fatigue and help a student re-engage after interruptions.

Teach the core executive functioning skills

A student makes the fastest progress when instruction targets the right skills instead of just telling them to try harder.

Plan and prioritize
Teach a three-line daily plan. Must do, should do, could do. Limit the must list to one to three actions. Tie each action to the time and place it will happen. Students learn to plan organize their day and avoid overloaded to-do lists.

Time awareness
Many students with ADHD drift because minutes feel abstract. Use timers, visual countdowns, and time estimates before each task. Ask the student to predict the time, run the clock, then compare. This trains the internal clock and improves pacing.

Working memory supports
Externalize steps so the mind does not have to juggle them. Checklists, cue cards, and posted routines keep details out of short-term memory. Less juggling means more energy for the actual thinking in math, writing, and reading.

Organizational skills
Keep tools close and visible. Clear bins, labeled folders, and a launch pad for items that travel to and from school prevent small snags from becoming daily derails. Five minutes each afternoon to reset the system pays off the next morning.

Self-monitoring
Teach a short reflection at the end of the school day. What worked, what blocked me, what will I change tomorrow. One note per line is enough. The habit builds ownership without long lectures.

How families and schools can work together

Parents and teachers do best when the plan is simple and shared. Use the same planner template at home and at school. Agree on the folder colors and labels. Keep the daily plan to three action lines so the student does not drown in instructions. Meet briefly every two to three weeks to review what is working. If the student needs formal supports, consider a 504 plan or an IEP so accommodations match the student’s profile. A neuropsychological evaluation can clarify strengths and gaps if the path forward is unclear.

When to bring in a specialist

If a student continues to stall after basic supports are in place, or if the stress at home keeps rising, targeted intervention helps. Clinicians who understand ADHD and executive functions can coach specific routines, practice them in session, and coordinate with teachers. Many students need only a short block of sessions to lock in new habits and regain confidence. Others benefit from periodic tune-ups during heavy seasons like midterms or finals.

What progress looks like

Expect small wins at first. One finished assignment that used to sit incomplete. One week with no missing papers. One planner that stays accurate for five days. Progress often arrives as fewer evening battles and faster morning routines. Grades follow once the habits stabilize. The skills the student builds now will carry into middle school, high school, and college because the brain system behind them is the same.

Support in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin

Southeast Psych Nashville works with students who struggle with executive demands in real classrooms, with real schedules, and real pressure. We build plans that fit the way a student thinks, then we teach the plan until it sticks. In-person and telehealth options are available across Tennessee so help is easier to use during busy weeks.

Take the next step

Southeast Psych Nashville
5409 Maryland Way, Suite 202, Brentwood, TN 37027
Tel: 615-373-9955 | Fax: 615-373-2001

Serving Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin with executive function coaching, ADHD therapy, and school collaboration. Call 615-373-9955 to schedule or visit the website to get started.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Use a safe device and clear your browser history if you share technology with a partner.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, often shortened to DVAM. The goal is simple. Raise awareness, support survivors of domestic violence, and strengthen local efforts to end domestic violence in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin. Intimate partner violence is more than physical violence. It can include controlling behavior, threats, isolation from friends and family, and strict control of money or transportation. Many people do not see the pattern at first. Careful attention to warning signs and quick access to support services can reduce risk and open a safer path forward.

How to recognize abuse

Abuse can look different across homes and relationships. Watch for these patterns.

• Controlling behavior around money, phones, passwords, transportation, or social media
• Monitoring movements, constant check-ins, or demands for proof of location
• Isolation from friends, work, school, or faith communities
• Put-downs, name calling, humiliation, or repeated threats
• Physical violence such as hitting, choking, restraining, or throwing objects
• Sexual pressure or coercion, including refusal to use protection
• Property damage, threats toward pets, or stalking

If several signs show up together, trust your instincts. Abuse left unchecked tends to escalate.

Safety planning at home and in the community

A simple plan can improve safety before you make big decisions. Share your story with one or two trusted adults who can respond quickly. Create a code word that signals you need help. Keep copies of IDs, financial records, and medications where you can reach them fast. Teach children how to call 911 and how to reach a safe neighbor without revealing your plan. Park your car facing out and keep a spare key with a friend if possible.

Use technology wisely. Change passwords from a safe device. Turn off location sharing on social apps. Consider a separate email or prepaid phone for contact with law enforcement, attorneys, or counselors. Document incidents with dates, photos, and screenshots, and store them somewhere your partner cannot access.

Working with law enforcement and your school or employer

Law enforcement can provide immediate protection, connect you to victim advocates, and explain local processes for protective orders. If you work outside the home, consider a quiet conversation with human resources about shifting schedules, escort to parking, or caller screening. For families, ask the school to list only approved adults for pick-up and to flag changes in dismissal plans. Clear communication creates a safer routine and reduces exposure to a domestic abuser.

Supporting survivors in your circle

Parents and caregivers, friends, neighbors, and coworkers play a critical role. Lead with calm, direct language. I am concerned about your safety. You do not deserve this. I will help you find support. Avoid blaming questions. Offer practical help such as transportation, childcare, a safe place to store documents, or a ride to court. Do not confront the abuser yourself. Focus on the survivor’s choices and pace. Respect confidentiality unless there is immediate risk to children or a life-threatening emergency.

Counseling options in Middle Tennessee

Therapy gives survivors a private place to sort facts from fear, build a safety plan, and begin healing. Individual counseling can address trauma symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, sleep problems, and shame. Cognitive and trauma-focused approaches help stabilize mood, reduce panic, and restore a sense of control. Group work can reduce isolation and connect people to local resources. Couples counseling is not appropriate when there is ongoing abuse or coercion. Safety comes first. Once risk is addressed, some couples seek structured work in other settings, but that decision should be made with strong clinical guidance and clear safeguards.

Southeast Psych Nashville coordinates with community partners to strengthen safety. We help clients connect to support services such as shelters, legal aid, advocacy programs, and medical care. We also work with attorneys and victim advocates when documentation or court testimony is part of the process.

What recovery can look like

Progress often begins with small wins. Better sleep. Fewer panic spikes. A clear schedule for legal steps. A plan for finances that does not depend on the abuser. Confidence grows as safety improves. Emotional wellbeing follows when daily life becomes predictable again. Many survivors of domestic violence also rebuild social ties that were cut off during the relationship. That network makes long-term stability more likely.

How Nashville families can raise awareness

Use October to learn, share, and prepare. Attend a DVAM event. Post hotline information at work or in a community space. Invite a local advocate to speak with your faith group or parent organization. Teach teens how healthy relationships handle conflict and privacy. Small actions add up when a community repeats them across homes, schools, and workplaces.

Care close to home

Southeast Psych Nashville serves adults, teens, and families across Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin. We offer in person therapy and telehealth across Tennessee. Our clinicians provide confidential counseling, safety planning, and coordination with community resources. You do not have to carry this alone. A private conversation can be the first step toward safety and recovery.

Take the next step

Trauma-informed counseling, safety planning, and coordination with local support services. Call 615-373-9955 to schedule or visit the website to get started.

Psychologists have long faced a structural barrier: the inability to continue seeing clients across state lines. PsyPact, now active in 41 states plus Washington, D.C. as of this writing, provides a lawful pathway for licensed psychologists to maintain telepsychology services when clients cross borders, and to engage in limited in-person practice under a regulated framework. (PsyPact, n.d.; APA, 2018) Without it, clients and therapists alike remain constrained by geography rather than clinical need.

Imagine a business executive who maintains a weekly therapy appointment to manage stress and decision fatigue. If she travels to a non-PsyPact state on a long trip, she cannot legally continue with her regular therapist. Her progress stalls, her coping buffer weakens, and she loses a key part of her support at exactly the time she needs it most.

Consider an athlete who regularly competes in different states. His mental conditioning, anxiety management, and performance mindset are part of an integrated plan developed over months. Disrupting that plan for a game or tournament out of state severs the thread. He either pauses therapy or starts with a new, short-term provider who lacks the history and nuance of his unique situation.

A touring musician or actor faces similar disruption. An actor cast for three months in a non-PsyPact state may find his mental health care suspended, just as stress, role demands, deadlines, and public scrutiny intensify. The result is a forced therapeutic hiatus during the most vulnerable stretch of production or finding a short-term alternative, which is an unnecessary disruption in his therapy. Bouncing back and forth between therapists is not a best practice of care.

A college student is another typical example. A student moves for school across state lines after beginning therapy while living at home. If the school’s state does not participate in PsyPact, the student must either terminate treatment prematurely or attempt to switch therapists at a time of heightened emotional need precisely when stress is spiking

The cost of discontinuity is not trivial. Therapeutic progress depends on consistent contact, trust, and responsiveness to emergent changes in life context. In a large study of psychotherapy transitions during the COVID-19 shift, patients exhibited fewer disruptions—fewer gaps of over 45 days between appointments—when telehealth was available (Ahmedani et al., 2023). The ability to preserve contact across distance matters for stability. Continuity of care is strongly associated with better outcomes, fewer relapses, and stronger alliances (Galvin et al., 2022).

A recent analysis at federally funded health centers showed that patients using telehealth had higher odds of continuity in counseling services compared to nonusers (Picillo et al., 2025). That is, telehealth is not just a convenience, it is a mechanism for resiliency in care delivery. When it comes to mental health, crises, increases in symptoms, and relapse are often worsened by transitions, so the capacity to maintain the same therapeutic relationship across state lines is a public good.

With 82% of states adopting PsyPact, the holdout states that have not yet joined are not being passive, but effectively creating barriers their citizens’ mental health. This constrains access and continuity, particularly for populations who travel, relocate temporarily, attend out-of-state schools, have extended vacations, or engage in multi-jurisdictional careers. In many areas, local provider supply is insufficient. Interstate access helps fill gaps and equalize opportunity (KPI Institute for Health Policy, 2025).

Concerns about licensure integrity, oversight, or accountability are often raised, but PsyPact has been carefully structured to speak to those issues. It requires that psychologists hold a valid license in a PsyPact jurisdiction, secure an E.Passport and an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), comply with continuing technology-relevant education, and adhere to the rules and scope of practice of the client’s state (PsyPact, n.d.; ASPPB, n.d.) and have awareness and compliance with the rules of the state where the client is located. This preserves oversight and accountability while enabling mobility.

The American Psychological Association is actively educating the public and key organizations about PsyPact and its legitimacy (APA, 2024). States such as New York and Massachusetts now have active legislation under consideration. For them and all remaining states, the path is clear: adopt the compact, reduce regulatory friction, and ensure your citizens are not cut off from essential services by map lines.

Let’s use a driver’s license as an example. We take it for granted that your state license is valid in all 50 states, making it possible for you to travel freely across the country. Now imagine being in a state like Montana and wanting to travel to Oregon, but Idaho doesn’t recognize your license. Look at a map of the country: now you have to drive through Wyoming, into Utah, then Nevada, then finally to Oregon. It makes little sense. Now imagine trying to navigate good continuity of care for existing clients or offering access to people who are underserved with such an unreasonable constraint, particularly in this highly mobile, technologically-connected culture.

The time for all states to join PsyPact is now. Clients deserve continuity of care. Therapists deserve a working structure that reflects the reality of modern mobility. States deserve to enhance public mental health capacity without compromising standards. Let no state delay the adoption of PsyPact any longer.

The good news is that Southeast Psych Nashville has several providers who are PsyPact approved who can serve clients across 41 states. If you are in other states and you are highly mobile or in transition, you may want to check out the PsyPact providers near you. The link below can help you with this.

Search for a PsyPact Provider here: https://directory.psypact.gov/

References

Ahmedani, B. K., et al. (2023). New research finds greater continuity of psychotherapy after shift to telehealth. Psychiatric Services. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/continuity-of-psychotherapy-with-telehealth (American Psychiatric Association)

American Psychological Association. (2018). Telepsychology and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/members/content/interjurisdictional-compact-telepsychology (American Psychological Association)

APA. (2024, January). What’s ahead for clinical practice? APA Monitor. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/01/trends-telehealth-new-normal-technology (American Psychological Association)

ASPPB. (n.d.). E.Passport / practicing telepsychology under PSYPACT. Retrieved from https://asppb.net/credentials-related-records/epassport/ (asppb.net)

Galvin, E., et al. (2022). Patient and provider perspectives of the implementation of telemental health. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 28(1). (ScienceDirect)

Picillo, B., Yu-Lefler, H., Bui, C., Wendt, M., Sripipatana, A. (2025). Telehealth-facilitated mental health care access and continuity for patients served at federally funded health centers. Telemedicine and e-Health, 31(7), 838–847. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2025.0011 (PubMed)

PsyPact. (n.d.). Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) – practice Overview, legislative resources, FAQs. Retrieved from https://psypact.gov/ (psypact.gov)

KPI Institute for Health Policy. (2025). Expanding access to mental health care through interstate compacts. KPI Institute. Retrieved from https://www.kpihp.org/blog/expanding-access-to-mental-health-care-through-interstate-compacts/ (kpihp.org)

As summer winds down and school starts up again, many parents expect some nerves. But for some teens, the return to school brings more than just butterflies—it triggers deep school anxiety that can impact their mood, behavior, and functioning. If your child is struggling with the idea of heading back into a school environment, you’re not alone—and there are effective ways to help.

At Southeast Psych Nashville, we work with families throughout the Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin areas to address school-related anxiety using evidence-based tools like cognitive behavioral therapy. Whether your teen is feeling anxious about social interactions, academic pressure, or simply leaving the house again after summer break, we’re here to support both of you in building sustainable coping strategies.

Let’s walk through what back-to-school anxiety really looks like—and what you can do to support your child through it.

What Does Back-to-School Anxiety Look Like?

Back-to-school anxiety doesn’t always scream “panic attack.” In fact, it’s often more subtle and mistaken for laziness, moodiness, or defiance. Some common signs that your child is struggling with school anxiety include:

• Avoiding conversations about the school year
• Frequent stomachaches or headaches, especially before the school day begins
• Irritability, withdrawal, or changes in appetite
• Trouble sleeping or recurring nightmares
• Emotional outbursts when talking about return to school plans
• Resistance to leaving the house in the morning

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth digging deeper—especially if these symptoms persist beyond the first couple weeks of school.

Why Is Anxiety Increasing in Teens?

There’s no single answer, but we’re seeing clear patterns in our Nashville-area clients. After years of disrupted schedules, social uncertainty, and performance pressure, teens are facing an emotional storm when reentering the classroom. For some, social interactions after a summer of solitude can feel overwhelming. For others, academic expectations or fear of failure take center stage.

Teens are also incredibly aware of their environment, even if they don’t talk about it. If a family member is stressed or there’s tension at home, that can amplify their anxiety. And let’s not forget that adolescence is already a time of big emotional shifts and identity exploration—so school stress hits harder than it might seem from the outside.

How to Support Your Child Through Back-to-School Anxiety

So what can you actually do about it? Here are realistic, research-backed strategies you can implement starting now:

1. Open Communication Comes First

Let your teen know it’s okay to talk about being anxious. Not in a forced, “tell me what’s wrong” kind of way—but through gentle check-ins that create a safe space. Ask open-ended questions like:

• “What part of the school day are you most nervous about?”
• “When you imagine going back, what’s the hardest part?”
• “What’s one thing that might make it easier?”

When teens feel like they’re being heard instead of fixed, they’re more likely to open up.

2. Don’t Rush the Routine

Reestablishing a school schedule overnight can make things worse. Instead, try easing back into it a week or two before school starts:

• Adjust sleep and wake times gradually
• Do dry runs of the morning routine (packing lunches, choosing clothes)
• Spend afternoons spending time on school-related tasks like organizing supplies or visiting the campus

Structure creates predictability, which is key to calming an anxious brain.

3. Help Them Practice Coping Strategies

Anxiety doesn’t disappear overnight—but with tools, your teen can learn to manage it effectively. Some helpful coping strategies include:

• Deep breathing or grounding exercises before entering the school environment
• Journaling after the school day to process emotions
• Physical activity after school to release stress (walks, dance, sports)
• Using positive self-talk: “I’ve handled tough days before—I can do this.”

If your teen isn’t into traditional breathing or journaling, that’s okay—find what works for them. Even listening to music in the car before drop-off can become a calming ritual.

4. Validate Without Enabling

You don’t want to say “It’s fine, you’ll be fine”—that shuts things down. But you also don’t want to rescue them from every uncomfortable moment, which can reinforce avoidance. Instead, aim for statements like:

• “I get that this is hard. I’m here with you—and we’re going to figure it out together.”
• “Feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you care. And we can handle that.”

This helps your teen feel seen while still building confidence and resilience.

5. Consider Working with a Mental Health Professional

Sometimes anxiety needs more than just parental support—and that’s okay. A mental health professional trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach your teen how to manage anxious thoughts, shift unhelpful patterns, and regain confidence in the school environment.

CBT is one of the most evidence-based treatments for teen anxiety, and it’s something our Nashville clinicians use daily with clients navigating school-related stress. Therapy can also give your teen a space outside the family to be honest about what they’re experiencing.

Nashville Families: You’re Not Alone

Whether you’re in Brentwood, Franklin, or East Nashville, our team at Southeast Psych Nashville is here to help your teen thrive—not just survive—the school year.

We offer individual therapy for teens, online therapy across Tennessee, academic coaching for executive functioning struggles, and seasonal groups that help teens connect and grow together.

If your child is struggling with school anxiety, don’t wait for things to spiral. Support your child now with tools and strategies that work.

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s make this school year feel less overwhelming and more empowering—for your teen and your whole family.

As fall rolls in—along with busy school routines, changing weather, and renewed pressure at work—many people are struggling to stay emotionally grounded. If you’ve been seeking mental health support, but haven’t found the time, the energy, or even the right person, there’s one option that can change the game: teletherapy.

Teletherapy (aka online therapy or telehealth services) has exploded in popularity over the past few years—and for good reason. It increases accessibility, removes logistical stress, and allows clients to get effective mental health treatment without the commute, the waiting room, or the awkward parking situation.

Here in Nashville and across Tennessee, our team at Southeast Psych Nashville offers secure, confidential therapy sessions online, making it easier than ever to get the support you need—on your schedule, from your space, with the same trusted mental health professionals you’d see face to face.

Let’s break down why teletherapy works, who it helps, and how it’s changing the landscape of mental health services—for the better.

What Is Teletherapy, Exactly?

Teletherapy is a form of mental health treatment delivered through video sessions with a licensed mental health counselor or psychologist. Think Zoom, but HIPAA-compliant and completely confidential. Sessions follow the same structure as traditional in-person therapy, including goal setting, discussion of challenges, and learning new tools.

It’s important to note: telehealth services aren’t a watered-down version of therapy. They’re real, evidence-based sessions, backed by research and adapted to meet the needs of today’s clients. Whether you’re working through depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting stress, or relationship issues, online therapy offers legitimate care from trained professionals.

Why Teletherapy Works So Well—Especially in Fall

Fall is a season of transition. Kids are back in school, holidays are looming, schedules are packed—and for many, mental health takes a backseat until things “calm down.” But let’s be honest: things rarely calm down on their own. That’s where teletherapy steps in.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of teletherapy—especially for clients in and around Nashville this time of year:

1. Increases Accessibility for Busy Lives

When you’re juggling school drop-offs, remote work, meal prep, and life in general, carving out time to drive to therapy can feel like another to-do you’ll never get to. Online therapy removes that barrier.

You can meet with your mental health counselor on your lunch break, after bedtime routines, or even during a quiet moment parked in your car—yes, that counts too. All you need is a secure internet connection and a private space.

2. Expands Access Beyond City Limits

If you live in East Nashville, Cool Springs, or out in rural Tennessee, finding the right mental health professionals nearby isn’t always easy. Geographical barriers can mean long waitlists or no specialists at all—especially for niche needs like postpartum therapy, trauma recovery, or ADHD evaluations.

With telehealth services, you can connect with Southeast Psych Nashville clinicians from anywhere in the state, without needing to relocate, commute, or settle for a provider who isn’t a good fit. This expand[s] access to mental health care in powerful ways, especially for underserved communities.

3. Reduces Stigma and Increases Comfort

Let’s face it—walking into a therapy office can still feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. For some people, sitting in their own kitchen or bedroom makes it easier to open up and be honest. It creates a sense of control that helps build trust, faster.

For teens, introverts, and people managing social anxiety, teletherapy can also feel less threatening than traditional in-person therapy. The result? More consistent sessions, deeper reflection, and better progress.

4. Supports Continuity of Care

Whether you’re traveling for work, home with a sick kid, or dealing with a car that won’t start—teletherapy means you don’t have to skip a week. Continuity matters when it comes to managing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, and virtual sessions help keep that momentum going.

At Southeast Psych Nashville, we work with individuals, families, teens, and couples all over the state. Many of our clients start with in-person care and then shift to virtual when schedules or seasons change. That flexibility keeps therapy going—even when life gets messy.

Is Teletherapy Right for You?

If you’re wondering whether online therapy can really meet your needs, consider the following questions:

• Do you struggle to find time for in-person therapy?
• Are you located outside Nashville or far from your ideal provider?
• Do you feel more comfortable opening up from your own space?
• Do logistical challenges (transportation, childcare, etc.) hold you back from seeking mental health support?

If you said yes to any of these, telehealth services might be exactly what you need right now.

Common Concerns About Teletherapy—And the Truth

“But isn’t it awkward or impersonal?”
Not at all. Our therapists are trained to build connection through the screen and tailor their approach to make you feel seen and supported. You’ll still get a human, relational experience—just with more convenience.

“Is it secure?”
Absolutely. We use encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video platforms to ensure your privacy. Nothing gets recorded, stored, or shared.

“Will insurance cover it?”
Many plans now cover virtual mental health services just like in-person care. And if you’re paying out of pocket, we’ll help you file for reimbursement if you’re using out-of-network benefits.

Serving Clients Across Tennessee—From Our Nashville Roots

Whether you’re in Brentwood, Franklin, Bellevue, Forest Hills, or tucked away in a small town an hour outside of Nashville—teletherapy allows you to work with our team at Southeast Psych Nashville without needing to make the drive. Our clinicians offer specialized support for everything from parenting and performance stress to trauma, grief, and long-term mental health conditions.

We’re not just therapists—we’re mental health professionals who understand life in Tennessee, with all its beauty, busyness, and barriers. And we’re committed to bringing compassionate, skilled support to your screen.

Ready to Start Teletherapy?

Whether you’re trying therapy for the first time or coming back after a break, online therapy can be the bridge you need.