Reconnect, Balance, Heal...

Our Mission

At Nashville Emotional Wellness (NEW) Counseling, we have a passion for inspiring growth, nurturing healing and encouraging change that allows people to stand in their truth and be their best self. Ours is a mission of service. One in which we strive to live what we give. We take no path that we usher another onto lightly, knowing that we have or potentially will be walking on the same road at some point.

Our Purpose

Our purpose at NEW is to provide every single client, couple, family and group with a welcoming, comfortable, safe and caring place to heal. Our motto at NEW is real people, helping real people with real problems. It is our aspiration and intention to embody this daily. It is with unbridled hope and deep gratitude that we welcome you here to the NEW family.

Our Values

NEW aids in creating emotional safety, acceptance, forgiveness and gratitude that strengthens well-being and helps to release hurt that might prevent healing. Our belief is that this that we do is beyond work...it is living and it is the intentional act of living that we do each time we sit with a client. It is through the vessels of knowledge, clinical wisdom and experience that we move. It is with the tools of love, compassion, reflection, authenticity and humility that we center our client care.

Our Connections

Nashville Emotional Wellness also believes that in order to achieve wholeness its necessary to address various other aspects of wellness. For this reason we continue to find ways to nurture relationships with our current community partners and any future community partners.

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Jamila J Walker, MSSW, lcsw
Founder & CEO/Director of clinical Practice Administration/therapist
(pronouns - she, her, hers)

I was born to walk this path. I wholeheartedly believe that we were all born with the capacity to heal ourselves but that at times we could use a helping hand. I embrace an approach to counseling that considers adverse childhood experiences as well as the impact that everything in a person’s environment historically may have on their overall well-being. My intention is to provide a supportive space that nurtures a sense of emotional safety and allows clients to explore pain, release blockages and heal wounds.

I received my Bachelors degrees from Tennessee State University in Psychology and Africana Studies and my Master’s of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I specialize and am passionate about work with adolescents, women, couples and families and I have diverse background and experience working with elderly victims of crime, pregnant and parenting teens, and at-risk youth nationally and abroad.

I love this work and find joy, peace and purpose as both the owner of Nashville Emotional Wellness Counseling and as a therapist for the practice. In addition to working as a therapist, I teach as a professor at the University of Tennessee, School of Social Work, When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, dancing, traveling and writing.

Amanda Brown, MSSW, LCSW
Clinical Practice Director/Intern Field instructor/THERAPIST

“For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed being a listening ear for loved ones or even strangers”. Whether the situation was seemingly large or small, I found great joy in assisting others with navigating life’s stressors and finding some sense of resolution. 

This lifelong passion led me to obtain a Master's degree in Social Work from The University of Alabama to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to better serve others and for over a decade I have done just that.

I have as a result many years of experience working with adults experiencing trauma, crisis, self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, and unhealthy relationships. I am most passionate about maternal mental health and working with women adjusting to motherhood or experiencing fertility issues such as troubles with conception, pregnancy after loss, or childlessness by choice or circumstance. 

Everyone has a story to tell. Allow me to listen to yours even when you feel no one wants to hear it.  Together we can navigate your story in order to guide you to your best YOU! 

Crystal Chiasson
Director of operations

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” -Theodore Isaac Rubin

I started with Nashville Emotional Wellness (NEW) Counseling in August 2022 and I am thankful for my role within the practice. It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to support the NEW Team and clients and make an immediate impact overall by serving people.

In my role as an Administrative Project Assistant, I am a first point of contact within the practice. As such, I work to assure that client needs are met through setting appointments, making clients feel welcome, generating good feelings and helping to inspire healing and growth from the first point of contact when a client comes in and at various points throughout the time the client is with NEW.

Melissa Gordon, mssw, LMSW, LSSW, RYT
Grants, COntracts & DEI Initiatives Manager/Therapist

“I believe we are all born to create legacies”. The world needs a perspective, idea, insight, talent, and gift that only you can give or bring. Different adversities attempt to diminish our belief that this is true. I am a therapist whose focus centers on client self-empowerment and determination. My passion is working with individuals and groups to help them ritualize peace by creating coping mechanisms to face challenges and achieve goals. My practice aims to promote healing by facilitating the creation of new road maps to personal wellness.

I received my Bachelors of Science in Social Work from Tennessee State University and my Masters of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am a macro grounded social worker with clinical expertise. My path has been shaped by advocating for public policy change and empowering individuals to navigate systems with success. I have a diverse background and experience working with juvenile sex offenders, domestic violence survivors, incarcerated students domestically and abroad, and at-promise youth in various settings.

Through the use of creative arts, yoga, and mindfulness I help clients work through past trauma, challenges with self esteem, self doubt, anxiety and depression. When I am not in the office, I enjoy traveling, exploring nature, and live music

Cacey lewis, bs
Administrative Project Manager/DEI & Outreach Assistant

"Always do your best." - The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz 

If my yoga practice and my work as a yoga teacher has taught me anything, it's that our best looks different every single day and that's ok. Creating a space for people to let their guard down and show up to all situations as their most authentic selves is what I do best. That's why I'm thrilled to be part of the DEI & Administrative teams at NEW Counseling. 

I come from a diverse professional background in customer service, project management, wellness, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where I received a Bachelors in Marketing and I am also a 200hr Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT). 

My goal is to embody warmth, professionalism, and empathy in all interactions and I am passionate about fostering inclusive environments that contribute to creating a welcoming space for individuals from all walks of life. 

I'm honored to welcome clients to NEW Counseling in a way that makes them feel seen, valued, and supported. 

Hailey Oliver, BS
Clinical & Administrative Project Assistant/Client Liaison

“Those who are the happiest are those who do the most for others.” Being able to help others in any capacity is something that truly warms my heart to the highest degree. Ever since I was young, I have always strived to put myself in a place where I could assist in fulfilling the needs of others and creating an inviting and safe relationship with those around me.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and am currently working towards my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with professional experience in applied behavioral analysis and case management.

In my role as an administrative project assistant, I work to assist clients in feeling welcome into the practice and coordinate with them efficiently to meet their needs. My number one goal is to make all clients at NEW Counseling feel welcome and taken care of from the moment they interact with me. I’m thankful to be here to help.

Victoria McGowan, MS
Business Administrative Project Assistant

In my two-decade journey in healthcare, each step has been more than a career move; it's been a personal commitment to improving lives through accessible and quality healthcare. Starting in 1999 with my undergraduate degree in Health Care Administration, I immersed myself in the world of Medicare billing rules, driven by a passion for making a difference.

After earning a Master's in Health Services Administration in 2005, I embraced roles that went beyond titles—they were avenues to create real impact. As a Medicare fraud investigator, collaborating with the Office of Inspector General, I felt a deep sense of duty to combat fraud and abuse.

Transitioning into a billing manager role, I not only fine-tuned my skills but also gained a profound understanding of the financial intricacies shaping healthcare operations. Later, in health economics, I focused on maximizing savings and crafting cost-effective strategies, aligning my skills with my heartfelt commitment to accessible healthcare.

Through these experiences, I've blended strategic insight and financial acumen with a genuine passion, always guided by the belief that everyone deserves quality healthcare.

Counseling Team

Kirbie Anderson, Mssw, LCSW
THERAPIST/Certified Life Coach

I feel that everyone no matter, age, race, or sexual orientation deserves quality services.  My job is to empower you to process, heal, and move forward with living your best life.  As a social worker, I have a holistic approach to engaging my clients and an understanding of how psycho-social stressors affects the process of healing. As a trained therapist in evidenced based practices, I have the ability to provide an array of  treatment models that are most effective in promoting change and reaching your desired outcome.

I received my Masters degree in Social Work from University of Tennessee of Knoxville. I have an extensive background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy . I specialize in individual and couples psychotherapy, as well as Intimate Partner Violence, Self-Esteem and Trauma. I counsel couples, young adults and college students.

If you are looking for an empathetic therapist who can assist you in overcoming new or recurring obstacles in the areas of personal and family relationships, work or career achievement, or emotional distress accompanied by anxiety or depression, please contact me.

Martez Nelson, MEd, LPC/MHSP
THERAPIST
(Pronouns - He/Him/His)

“I don’t think that anyone should have to navigate a healing journey on their own”. I grew up in an environment where therapy wasn’t discussed or sought out, and this created challenges in my adult life. Later, realizing that my adverse childhood experiences and unhealed trauma were negatively impacting me socially and emotionally, I sought professional help and put myself on a journey to heal. After college, I quickly realized that I wanted to create the same space for healing that I was provided, and that’s what led me to become a therapist.

I received my Masters of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University and have many years of experience working in the mental health field in many settings including, community mental health, corrections, crisis, and education. I have a passion for helping individuals regain hope and find meaning in life and use an integrative approach to therapy that considers the clients’ individual needs to do so. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and passionate about serving this population, as well as other marginalized groups including, black and brown men and at-risk youth. 

Healing can be a scary process to navigate, but my goal is to work from a strengths based perspective to provide you with a safe, empathetic, inclusive and welcoming space to conquer your life challenges and goals and help you find new ways to cope, and problem solve. 

monica Coverson, EDD, LmSW, lsSW
Therapist

“I was born a social worker and it truly is and has always been my passion”. I have endured my own personal adversity and have received professional support to move toward the outcomes that I desired and as a therapist I hope to give the same gift to others. I firmly believe that many people are struggling with mental health challenges that impact their daily lives and relationships and often don't know where to begin. What I know is that improving one’s mental and emotional health is a critical step in improving one’s quality of life and experiencing lasting change.

I have a masters of social work from Western Kentucky University, a doctorate in education from Lipscomb University, and I offer treatment that is collaborative, goal oriented, client centered and that utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches that help encourage change. I bring 23 years of experience that includes providing individual and group counseling, work with survivors of trauma, at-risk youth and support of individuals struggling with grief/loss, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation/self-harm.

One of my very favorite quotes by Brene Brown is, "Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they are never weakness." As life will sometimes present challenges that may be difficult to navigate, it's not necessary to navigate those challenges alone. I would love to support you in discovering the courage to navigate your truth.

Briera Nix, Ma, LPC/MHSP (temp)
Therapist

The seeds of passion for working with children and adolescents were planted and developed while I was growing up. It wasn’t until my mother became a foster parent that my desire was honed into purpose. When I witnessed firsthand a mental breakdown inside of our home, I saw the impact of unaddressed mental health challenges and I knew from that moment forward that I wanted to impact the lives of children and adolescent’s on a deeper level. Here I am.

I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological Science at Austin Peay State University and my Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My certifications include QPR (suicide prevention) and training as a telehealth provider. My practice modality is individual and family therapy and I am pursuing a specialization in both behavioral issues and trauma. In addition to working with children and adolescents, I love working with college aged adults struggling with personal crisis’ that impact their self esteem, self confidence and sense of self worth.

My goal is to help children and adolescents know that it is okay to not be okay and that it is okay to seek help. It is my belief that in order for a healthier future to occur we must start with supporting the mental health of children and adolescents.

Cameisha Mallory, MsSW
Therapist

I love working with clients that are dealing with issues and challenges, and assist them in gaining the tools they need to increase their ability to live a sustainable life. Growing up in an area filled with poverty and within a single parent household, I developed a personal understanding of what it's like to go without due to lack of basic needs. As a Black woman, I have also seen a lot of racial injustice as well as the impact of unaddressed mental health challenges due to limited resources and access to care. As a result of my lived experience, I refuse to remain silent and I have a deep seated desire to support those who are normally looked over and forgotten about.

I have my Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and I enjoy working with both individuals and families. I have a background and experience providing support to the youngest as well as the oldest among us and love being able to connect with those in need throughout their lifespan. I am passionate about trauma focused care, depression and anxiety and am nurturing a specialization in child and adolescent trauma.

I truly believe in helping clients and I welcome the opportunity to empower clients with interventions, practices, and a sense of hope that will help guide them on their path to becoming independent and experiencing greater fulfillment overall.

Jameyuh Walker, mSSW, LMSW
Therapist
(Pronouns - She/her)

I embody kindness, care and empathy and helping others comes natural to me. As a woman nurtured heavily by my family and community, I learned early on the importance of support, guidance and self care. “I believe barriers can be broken with awareness, accountability, education, and resources.” I believe that with proper connection and effort toward change, growth and wholeness is possible for anyone. I understand letting a stranger into your most intimate issues can be unsettling, but it is my hope that by extending myself fully from a genuine belief in collaboration, that you will feel you have the support you need to walk through your greatest challenges.

As a Licensed Master Social Worker, my educational background and work experience have enhanced my ability to treat various challenges throughout the life span. I have experience providing care along the spectrum of mental health diagnoses, including trauma, anxiety and depression. I use various evidence-based techniques in a confidential and safe environment and the therapeutic relationship is the foundation for the work that we do. I am motivated and committed to successful outcomes for my clients by bringing dedication, passion and advocating for mental health as a lifestyle!

Addressing mental health issues can be sensitive and triggering; however, we can work collaboratively to break barriers and continue create ways of managing life challenges.  

Samantha Barstack, Med, LPC/MHSP (Temp)
Therapist
(Pronouns - She/her/hers)

I believe that when we can recognize and talk about our feelings they become more manageable. I’ve had varied life experiences which have allowed me to create connections with diverse individuals across the world. I have found that through my dedication to understanding nuance, appreciation for individuality, commitment to critical thinking, and compassion, I can provide a pathway for growth and healing.

In my practice as a clinician, my goal is to create a firm connection that provides a foundation for healing, self-reflection, change, and empowerment for the individuals that I work with. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and earned a Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University. I have worked in a variety of fields including adolescent and young adult behavioral health, substance treatment and research, and community mental health policy management. These positions have provided me with a unique perception of the systems that impact the human experience. 

I use a strengths-based integrated approach to support clients through processing, life transitions, and healing. My aim as a counselor is to create an authentic space so that I may walk alongside my client on their journey to mental wellness.

Walker Duncan, MSSW, lmsw
Therapist

“Each time you meet an old emotional pattern with presence, your awakening to truth can deepen.” (Tara Brach) 

As a therapist, I endeavor to provide a safe, compassionate space for clients to navigate their process. My approach is eclectic, strengths-based and client focused. I tend to draw from a wide array of sources, always with the aim of finding what will work best for each individual.

Whether that means working with clients to develop new strategies to meet their own evolving challenges; supporting them as they give old wounds the time needed to heal; or encouraging them as they learn to let go of old, unhelpful narratives, etc. I am here to help and to listen.

After spending the first 10+ years of my career in Journalism and then Marketing, I returned to pursue my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Tennessee which I received in 2020. I am now a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

Life happens and life can be challenging. Very often, these evolving issues can oblige us to take a fresh look at where we are. That exploration can be daunting. My hope is to be the support you need to help you begin to heal and thrive.

Char Transou, MS LPC/MHsP (temp)
Therapist

Mental health care has been a passion since my high school journey. I have had personal experience with trauma stemming from childhood into adulthood. Through my healing process and related work experience, my passion for mental health and supporting other individuals who are hurting or recovering from past experiences expanded and It is my belief that every human being, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or spiritual affiliation, has the right to a full life without restrictions resulting from trauma.

I graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and I am now pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University. I have specializations in Forensic Counseling and Trauma-Focused Counseling and experience working with children and adolescents who have been exposed to various forms of trauma, including physical, sexual, and emotional which aided in igniting my drive to work with survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

I strive to provide a safe space for clients to grow and heal from past trauma and live a life that aligns with their true self. It is my desire to guide and empower clients on their healing path and encourage them to develop tools that promote healthy thinking skills, emotional regulation, and self-reflection.

Baylie Spring, MSSW
Therapist
(Pronouns - She/her/hers)

I want to meet my clients where they are and for them to see me as human. I believe high-quality care is a right and should be accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status, race, and gender identity. I believe empowered people, empower people. As a therapist, I aspire for my clients to leave my office feeling empowered and able to utilize the skills and tools learned in therapy to grow, heal, and begin to build their own life, as they see fit. 

I am a Nashville native but obtained my Bachelor of Art in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Nashville Campus and I am also a graduate research assistant. I have experience working with children during my undergraduate internship in a behavioral health clinic using ABA therapy. In addition to that, I have experience working with adolescents experiencing trauma and utilizing trauma-informed therapy. I have a burning passion for leaving the world better than I found it. 

Maya Angelou once said, “ I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” My hope is that my impact is unforgettable.

Jonathan Ailsworth, MSSW, LMSW
Therapist

"Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden." ―Cormac McCarthy. I believe we all have a little fire burning within us and with the right support that little fire can become a roaring flame. It is my intention to help you navigate the path of fueling your flame and achieving your goals and your dreams.

I utilize a holistic approach that combines elements of CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. I bring years of experience working with a variety of clients including school-aged children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker and I earned my Master's in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, with an emphasis on clinical services. I enjoy helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, anger management, and life transitions that includes job changes, breakups, PTSD, grief, recent graduation, & health changes.

I love seeing the transformation in clients when they learn coping skills and strategies that help them feel better. It is my hope that our work together will allow you to identify unhealthy behavior patterns, be more transparent, and cope with life's stressors better. I will walk alongside you as we work toward you being able to navigate this path on your own. Together we can navigate and create a healing path that strengthens your capacity to unpack the gamut of your lived experiences.

Katrica Hayslett, MSSW, LMSW, LSSW
Therapist

“I am passionate about working with individuals to help create and foster a safe space to navigate life’s challenges”. My firm belief is that we all have a burning desire, something that not only sets us ablaze with intensity but propels us toward becoming and embracing the person we were always meant to be. This work, this space, supporting others on their personal journey towards wellness and freedom is just that for me. 

Early life experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a desire to support those in need. This innate inclination towards understanding others ultimately led me to pursue a masters degree in Social Work (MSSW)  from the University of Tennessee- Knoxville.

I serve both adolescents and adults and I utilize a personalized & empathetic approach that is tailored to individual needs and integrates strengths based approach and combines CBT, ACT and Motivational Interviewing therapies alongside mindfulness to provide the most comprehensive and effective treatment and care. 

I strongly believe that we are all stronger and more capable than we know. As we uncover layers of experiences and emotions, our personal insight, inner resilience and growth can be used to forge new pathways  of healing and wholeness. My aim is to be a helping hand in that process. 

Jack simon, LMSW, MSSW
Therapist

My therapeutic philosophy is grounded on the idea that human beings do best when they can live their truth. As a therapist, it's my job to hold the mirror up so my clients can not only realize their individual truth, but the strengths they possess to fully embrace it. There are a multitude of reasons why an individual may pursue therapy. Utilizing a lens of personal integrity, I empower my clients to lean into their own gold, regardless of what brought them to me in the first place.  

My style is one of compassionate directness, with a heaping dose of humor. I will hold space for you in whatever way you see fit, but I will challenge you. I hold you accountable to yourself, on your terms. I do not believe it is my job to give you an answer, but rather to aid in the process of discovery and self-love. It’s not always pretty, but that's okay. Together, we will work not towards a hypothetical destination of perfection, but rather a journey of integrity.  

I received my Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee. I have experience working with the criminal justice system, community mental health, intensive outpatient programs, and inpatient psychiatry. My clinical specialties include men's issues, coming of age, personal identity, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations.

Life is wild. It's an honor to be able to help individuals, couples, and families identify and lean into their unique ways to thrive amongst the chaos.

Hannah Bomholt, BS
Intern

“I have a passion for mental health, and making it more accessible, and I deeply enjoy the relationship building and empowerment that comes in therapy”.  I am equally passionate about helping people craft the lives they want to lead and I seek to encourage, empower, and work alongside my clients to help them access the tools and resources that will help them achieve their goals. My approach is collaborative and encouraging, with an emphasis on the strengths of my client. 

I am currently working towards my Masters in Social Work, with an expected graduation of May of 2024. I have worked with a variety of diverse people, including connecting immigrants and refugees to necessary resources here in Nashville. I have an affinity for working within the Latinx community and I have always enjoyed Hispanic culture, especially after living in South America, and love learning more about specific cultures, backgrounds, and stories in the Latinx community in Nashville. 

I use a strengths-based approach to support clients through challenges so that they can create the life they want to lead. I know it can be hard to know where to start or how to change, so I ensure my clients feel supported and encouraged while we work together.