About Christina

Offering individual counseling services in East Nashville, TN, & virtual therapy to all Tennessee residents.

 
Headshot of Christina Lafferty-Neal, an anxiety therapist in Nashville, TN
 

You’re here for a reason.

The constant stream of curated images make it easy to become a numbed-out observer. The pressure of measuring your life against Insta-perfection can overwhelm even the strongest desire to change your life.

You’re tired of waiting for things to be different.

 

ABOUT CHRISTINA

Featured
My Approach

I work with motivated people who are ready to step out of the roles they’ve been playing and begin living their own story.

In therapy with me you'll learn the language of your nervous system, and become your own best medicine and healer. Today is the day to stop playing small, move past self-doubt, and be more present with your body's best messengers: your emotions.

As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, I specialize in anxiety and somatic & attachment focused trauma work. I offer a warm and curious approach to support you and guide you back to yourself, and give a safe & energizing space to connect and heal. I do this with a high amount of compassion and very low BS.

My Values

  • You are the expert on you

  • Our bodies tell the truth

  • Everything Belongs

  • All Black Lives Matter

  • I celebrate humans of all identities and abilities. I believe and affirm the lived experiences of all sexual orientations, genders, sexualities, and preferences.

  • I acknowledge that we live in systems of oppression and advocate for the liberation of all people. I am committed to anti-discrimination, anti-oppression, anti-stigma, anti-racism & anti-ableism.

  • The therapeutic relationship is established through safety, trust, hope and non-judgment

My Story

I was raised as a pastor’s kid who moved a lot. This means I’m an expert in playing roles based on other people’s expectations. It also means I’ve been deeply tuned into other people’s joys and pains for as long as I can remember. My own life has changed drastically through many different losses and transitions, and I learned to navigate the chaos from a place of both strength and gentleness (and, honestly, a good sense of humor).

Then my 20’s happened. I was learning to grieve, figuring out how to be an adult on my own, how to be true to who I am and what I love, and face my fear of being seen. Therapy helped me heal old wounds and realize that a happy and healthy life is not only possible, it’s something I deserved to have. (Spoiler alert: You can have good boundaries AND be a good person in this happy healthy life).

It’s my mission to help my clients feel empowered to do the same hard and rewarding work.

Each session with me is an invitation to bring your whole self to the party.

 

 The Official Stuff

Licensure & Degree

  • Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Tennessee, License #4052

  • Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, Nashville

Trainings

  • Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR, Personal Transformation Institute

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Deeper Into the Enneagram, The Narrative Enneagram

Modalities

  • Somatic and Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (SAFE EMDR)

  • Polyvagal Theory

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Attachment Theory

  • Mindfulness

  • The Enneagram


OK, but who are you, really?

Here’s the real deal:

  • Ways I do self-care: laughing, taking photos, lifting heavy things, being outside, going out for my favorite cheese fries, being with family and friends, and finding my way to a body of water whenever possible.

  • Number of Beyoncé concerts attended: 2

  • Favorite Movies & TV Shows: Top Chef, Parenthood (cries every episode), Shawshank Redemption, Father of the Bride, Pure Luck, The Sandlot, The Secret Life of Bees