Rebecca G. Townsend
Licensed Professional Counselor-MHSP, Supervisor
Nationally Certified Counselor
Sr Licensed Psychological Examiner-HSP
Owner/Founder - Fees $175-$320
I know how hard it can be to figure out what to do when nothing seems to make sense and everything feels like it’s falling apart.
Like so many others, growing up, I drifted through life in a family riddled with brokenness and flaws. There was co-dependency, covert/process addictions, poor communication, insecure attachment and yet, there were also good times and positive experiences that helped build a solid footing for my life.
The challenges of being raised in a contradictory environment led me to create genius survival skills that served me very well, allowing me to become successful in many ways.
However, some of those same skills became dysfunctional and hurtful - to myself and people close to me.
This journey continues for me because, as a therapist, I can guide you only as far as I’ve been myself or am willing to go. My ‘re-fueling’ spots along life’s adventures have included individual therapy, couples therapy, 12-step programs, silent retreats, guided retreats, and professional development.
I believe a good therapist has a good therapist.
You wouldn’t see a dentist who didn’t have their teeth cleaned or practice preventive care!
My commitment to my personal therapy cleans my emotional plaque so I can be fully present for you and hold space for your healing.
I’ve been told that therapy with me is dynamic, exploratory, deep, and even fun!
With expertise crafted over decades of doing this work, I bring energy, warmth, and insight to every session. In a typical session, we might learn communication skills, clarify what you’re experiencing in your life right now so that we know what’s actually going on, or dig deeper to understand the root of your challenges.
We’ll talk, we’ll laugh, and we may even use some props that will help solidify your shifts!
At my core, I trust that you have everything you need to overcome your challenges and connect with the people you love. The trials you’ve gone through are what have given you the resilience and wisdom you can draw on now. As Glinda the Good Witch says,
“You’ve always had the power, you just had to learn it yourself.”
Experience
Rebecca began her career as a mental health provider in 1995 working in juvenile residential facilities.
She has been licensed as a mental health provider in the state of Tennessee since 1998. After licensure she set up psychological assessment programs in those facilities and was the primary psychological examiner.
She is a Senior Licensed Psychological Examiner, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor who specializes in helping people build better relationships. She also provides coaching and consultation services to professionals.
In 2000, Rebecca opened a part-time private practice and made a career change to school psychology.
She worked the next 11 years as a school psychologist, assisting families and educators by serving students with special needs and educating and advocating for children and families through her knowledge of federal special education laws and guidelines.
It was during Rebecca’s time in the public school system of a military town, that she began helping military families navigate the needs of their families during deployment and reintegration phases.
In 2007, Rebecca founded SAFE: Soldiers and Families Embraced, a non-profit that offers free mental health services to Soldiers, Veterans and their loved ones. As Rebecca opened her private practice full-time in 2011 and began traveling to teach others about working with the military, she left SAFE in 2014.
She is currently in full-time private practice in Clarksville, TN, where she focuses on working with active duty service members, veterans and their loved ones. Rebecca enjoys assisting all couples and step-families strengthen their connections. She also loves teaching other professionals about working with the military population.
Rebecca is known for her warmth and gift of making people feel at ease in stressful situations.
Education, Licensures, Certifications
Rebecca attended Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology with honors in 1993. Rebecca then moved to Clarksville, Tennessee and graduated with honors from Austin Peay State University, completing a Masters degree with a double concentration in Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychology. Rebecca earned her Educational Specialist degree with honors in School Psychology in 2006 from Tennessee State University in Nashville.
- Senior Licensed Psychological Examiner (SrLPE), Health Service Provider TN License #11632, 1998
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Mental Health Service Provider TN License #2792, 2011
- Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), 2012
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Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor
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Developmental and Relationship Trauma Therapist (DARTT)
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Trained in EMDR – Levels I & II
- Trained in Brainspotting
- Trained in Prolonged Exposure Trauma Therapy
- Certified John C. Maxwell Leadership Speaker, Coach, and Trainer
- Trained in Experiential & Psychodrama Therapy
- Founder of SAFE: Soldiers And Families Embraced, a 501c3 Non Profit
- Post-Masters Certificate in Military and Veteran Behavioral Health through the Department of Defense’s Center for Deployment Psychology
