No, I’m not a “Biblical Counselor” or a “Christian counselor”. I’m also not going to tell you to “just pray more” or sneak Jesus into sessions.

I’m comfortable incorporating spirituality into therapy when it’s something you want, and I’m also comfortable sitting with your questions and struggles. I have no hidden agenda to evangelize or proselytize anyone.

Personally, I’m a liberal Christian. I grew up in a conservative Evangelical context, had a spiritual breakdown in my mid-20’s, and am now back in the church, but in a way that leaves more room for wonder, mystery and questions.

I’m happy incorporating spirituality and religion into therapy when it’s something you want. (No sneaky Jesus!) I’m also familiar with purity culture and a number of denominations and theologies, which can sometimes be helpful for you to not have to explain all the context of your experiences in the church.

I lived in Slemani, Iraq (in Kurdistan) from 2004-2008, while I was in high school. I’m very grateful for so much of this experience.

Sadly, I don’t speak much Sorani Kurdish anymore.

I contract with the EAP Spring Health.

For other plans, I’m a private-pay, out-of-network provider. While I don't accept insurance directly, your insurance may have out-of-network benefits, which means that they will support some of the cost of our services.

I meet with folks both ways - online (through a secure video platform) and in person (Nashville, TN).

This depends on your goals. Folks with very specific and uncomplicated goals (such as a single-incident trauma or mild anxiety) may be able to get what they need in 4-8 sessions. More complex/multilayered goals (including healing long-term childhood trauma and navigating ongoing stressors) will likely take longer.

I usually suggest people begin with weekly sessions for the first month.

Maybe. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. Some questions to consider include:

Why do you want to bring your dog to therapy?

Does your dog provide emotional support? Is your dog a service animal, emotional support animal, or an emotionally-attuned pet who notices when you’re upset and helps comfort you?

Is your dog distracting to you or very high energy?

Is your dog fully house-trained, with little to no risk of having an accident indoors? (If not, meeting outdoors with your dog *may* be an option.)

How is your dog with strangers, or other animals?

Pets can be wonderful co-regulators who help soothe and comfort us in amazing ways. Pets can also be distracting, troublesome or dangerous, depending on the context and specific animal.

I’ve been attacked by a dog once and repeatedly harassed by many well-meaning dogs (they sense I’m not a dog person and try to convert me), so it’s important for me that any dogs who come to therapy are able to remain safe and respectful of me, you, and our physical space.

So that’s all a long way to say, let’s talk about it.

Yes!

Here are the links to verify my license. Note that “Jeffries” is my last name and “Tillson” is my legal middle name.

TN (#1750) https://internet.health.tn.gov/Licensure/

IL (Marriage and Family Therapist 166.001777) https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/lookup/licenselookup.aspx

Florida https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/mqasearchservices/healthcareproviders

SC (2601) https://llr.sc.gov/TeleHealth/Counselor.html