Helping kids and teens navigate life transitions, setbacks, and relationship challenges.
Children and teenagers experience and communicate emotional distress differently. They may struggle socially, have difficulty learning, act aggressively towards others, develop rituals, use alcohol or drugs, cling to caregivers, self-harm, or have negative beliefs and feelings about themselves. These behaviors and feelings can interfere with their sense of well-being and capacity for emotional, social, and intellectual development. Therapy can be effective when problems do not resolve with time and support from parents, teachers, or friends.
We provide your child or teen with the tools, coping skills, and therapeutic outlet to create healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Through play and talk therapy, we help our young clients understand the causes of their distress and to learn coping skills to deal with their thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances in healthier ways in the future.
Our Child and Adolescent Specialists
Winn Simmons, LMFT
I specialize in working with children and teenagers who struggle with anxiety, depression, school issues, past trauma, home environment, peer/family relationships and life changes. I focus on normalizing the regular ups and downs of life to help children and teens find peace and direction. I offer a collaborative approach through play therapy and working closely with the important adults in a child’s life. I strive to provide a safe place where teens and children can feel heard and be themselves.
In these challenging times, children and teens may need additional support to gain new ways to cope during these challenging times. Recent changes to the way children and teens learn and socialize may contribute to increased feelings of frustration, loneliness or worry. As a parent, you may also be feeling overwhelmed, especially when there is still so much unknown. I can help guide you and your child through these uncertain times to find peace and a better ways to cope.
Chad Douglas Johnson, TLMFT
Childhood can be a challenging and uncertain time. Then comes adolescence, when teens are straddling the line between youth and adulthood, discovering who they are, and all the emotions that go along with it. These developmental stages are not for the faint of heart!
I hold a special place for my work with children and adolescents. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I have a specialization in play therapy, where I use both child-centered and directive approaches with my clients. Prior to Nashville Therapy Group, I worked with kids and teens, ages 4-18, both individually and in groups, at Daystar Counseling. Youth are creative, funny, thoughtful, resourceful, and valuable persons worthy of my time and attention.
I take an approach that is collaborative and values both youth and parents in the therapeutic process. As parents, you also need support as you search for the best ways to support the children you love. I like to say “we don’t know what we don’t know.” This is true for parenting. Every day is a new adventure. I look forward to discussing how I can help you on your journey.
Wynne Whitley, M.A.
My hope is sit with children, primarily ages 4 through 12, and provide a safe space for them to name and feel emotions, develop coping skills, draw, create, play games, and explore who they are. My area of special clinical focus is in Play Therapy, and I use play and books to help children learn, grow, and heal.
Kristin Lagan, M.S.
I have a strong passion for working with teenagers and young adults. This age range is unique and should be treated as such! I want to enhance their exceptional ability for excitement of life, spontaneous appreciation, cutting loose and having questions. I am skilled in creating a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment for adolescents to explore their thoughts and emotions, and to develop healthier coping strategies. I have a deep understanding of the developmental, social and emotional issues faced by this age group and use this knowledge to tailor my approach to each individual client. I strive to empower adolescents to build self-confidence, overcome obstacles, and reach their full potential.
Hannah Dunsmore, M.A.
I have extensive experience working with children of all ages in both institutional and private practice settings. As a therapist, I provide a compassionate space for children and teens to feel seen and heard. I have a passion for helping kids equip themselves with the skills they need to successfully navigate childhood and adolescence. I specialize in working with teenagers who struggle with depression and anxiety as well as high-achieving students who struggle with perfectionism and academic pressures. I work closely with my client’s whole family system as they explore themselves and their world in ways that brings peace and healing.
Our Areas of Expertise
Divorce
Death in the Family
Moving Schools / Homes
Sexual / Gender Identity
Breakups
Rejection
Depression Treatment
Anxiety Treatment