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 my aspiration and intention to embody this everyday of my life. It is with unbridled hope and deep gratitude that I 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, LCSW, MSSW
Founder & CEO/Clinical practice director/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.

Kristen Small, MSW
Director of Clinical Practice administration/Intern Field instructor/THERAPIST

“I believe in people. I believe that we are all here on purpose, with purpose. I believe that we all are capable of living full, healed, wholehearted lives. And it is this belief that drives my passion and advocacy for mental health and wellness.” With an understanding that it is impossible to conquer what we won’t confront, and an understanding of the truth that “the work starts within,” I consider it both a privilege and sacred honor to assist individuals in reaching their greatest potential by empowering them with the necessary tools to peaceful, fulfilling lives.

I earned my Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. With a diverse background and experience in domestic violence and suicide prevention, I work closely with clients to overcome stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges and past trauma. I am skilled in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families offering individual, couples, and group therapy.

Utilizing a holistic therapeutic approach it is my passion to extend support to clients by offering them a safe space to be seen and heard, while incorporating opportunities for growth and healing through evidence based practices.

Mikayla Helton, BS
Director of Administrative operations

“Everyone deserves quality service, especially when it comes to our mental health”. As humans, we desire to help others whenever we can, and we cannot pour into others if our cup is empty; this makes the need for mental health care essential in our daily lives. This is the space I lead from.

Having a background in the English language and literature from both Arizona State University and Middle Tennessee State University, over eight years of customer service experience ranging from retail to school administration, and almost three years of teaching, has strengthened my skillset and compassion. It is my hope that this is apparent in the way I serve the members of my community, the team at NEW and all clients who come through our doors.

I am very passionate about helping others achieve their goals and desires. As a first and primary point of contact here at Nashville Emotional Wellness Counseling, my goal is to help connect you with a clinician that will meet you where you are, honor your truth and serve you best. My intention is that this, combined with my high level expertise in developing both systems and processes, will ultimately allow your onboarding and care experience with NEW to be both seamless and efficient.

Tua Bultje, LMSW, MSSW, Ma
Clinical Practice Administrator/Intern Task SUpervisor/Therapist
(Pronouns - She/her/hers)

The journey to healing often asks that we walk through our own darkness, that we unpack and reassemble all the heaviness we’ve been carrying so it becomes easier to manage, that we dig up what breaks us down so we that we can cultivate what helps us mend and grow. This work can feel intimidating and daunting. But you don’t have to do it alone. My job as a therapist is to walk beside you as you navigate that path to healing, to spark new thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that will illuminate the past and bring new insights, to offer courage, empathy, and connection as you move forward. 

I have a MSW from the University of Southern California and I have developed therapeutic skills in direct practice with individuals, children, and families. I bring a variety of tools and techniques including mindfulness, expressive arts, group work, CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing, to help clients contend with trauma, bolster their strengths and resilience, and live more fulfilling and wholehearted lives.

I come from a long line of people who have worked to make positive change in their communities, including my great grandmother and my grandfather who demonstrated throughout their lives that the path to freedom is not one you can walk alone. Having made the journey through trauma and adversity myself, I know firsthand the positive impacts of the therapeutic process. I look forward to walking with you and offering compassion, connection, and courage as we navigate the path towards healing. 

Crystal Chiasson
Administrative Project manager

“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.

Joseph CLark
Administrative Project Assistant/Billing & Accounts Specialist

“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” - Chodron. 

There is a universal understanding that in order to move forward, grow, and heal we must first take hold of what we’ve encountered. You see similar phrases echoed all around the world and in many different contexts. All of our feelings, behaviors, and ideologies have a root cause behind them. I’m excited to work for a company that helps individuals tackle their past head on so that they too can blossom into the best version of themselves that they can be. 

I started with NEW in May of 2023. It’s an honor and a privilege to work for a company whose mission and core values align with my own. My diverse upbringing, educational background, and experiences including being a father have given me many life skills that I can’t wait to bring to this company, its clients, and the community around me.

Your journey starts here with NEW, and we’re excited to have you!

Psychiatric Medication Management

Kesha Rushing, MSN, APRN, FNP
Nurse Practitioner/Medication Management Provider

Working with clients towards their goals of seeking better overall health has always been of upmost importance, throughout my nursing career. There is something about the ability to have an immediate and a lasting impact on people, with patient care, that both humbles and inspires me. As a Nurse Practitioner here at NEW Counseling, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve clients in need and to be an integral part of the evolutionary process of healing.

I earned my Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Nursing from Tennessee State University. My specialty is in Family Practice, which allows me to treat clients of all ages, backgrounds, and conditions. Being a nurse practitioner fulfills both a passion and desire to connect deeply and intimately with individuals 1:1, as they journey through life towards optimal health outcomes.

My desire is to be present in each encounter and to build mutually trusting and respectful relationships in which healing can occur. I am able to do this through a combination of education, collaboration and meeting each client where they are.

Outside of my work, I stay busy loving on my family and friends, traveling, and just being still when I can.

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.

Melissa Gordon, LMSW, LSSW, RYT
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

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. 

Maryam Abdallah, LMSW, MSsW
Therapist
(Pronouns - She/her/hers)

My passion rests in helping, encouraging and empowering individuals. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, “When we know better, we do better.” I believe that each of us has something good to share with the world, we just need a little help bringing it to the light. Equally strong is my belief in the power of communicating and in speaking things into existence. I hope to help individuals transform their narratives by sharing essential tools and resources to help them grow and manifest goodness in every part of their lives.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and my Master of Social Work from Tennessee State University. I have experience working with a diverse range of groups to include children and families, adoptive/foster parents, at-risk-youth, sexually and physically abuse children, young adult offenders, social service professionals and the LGBTQ community. I utilize a variety of approaches and assess each individual in a holistic manner to determine the best individualized plan for them.

Through the use of narrative, restructuring and mindfulness techniques, I hope to help everyone that crosses my path recreate their story so that they are prepared to live life better. Outside of my work as a Therapist, I’m a wife and a mother of a toddler. I enjoy spending time with my extremely large family, listening to the waves on the beach, reading a book for pleasure and taking time to do absolutely nothing but listen to myself breathe.

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.

Valaria Davis, LMSW
Therapist

My mission is to create a safe and inviting space for my clients where they can feel open to exploring their inner and outer worlds. I believe that everyone can rewrite their story through rewiring old narratives that no longer serve them and by doing so become the best version of themselves.

It is my desire to guide and empower clients on their healing path and encourage them to develop tools that promote healthy relationships with themselves and others, emotional regulation, and self-regulation.

I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee Master’s of Social Work program and I have spent the last almost two decades providing support to a number of client communities. As a clinical professional Social Worker, I love supporting clients while they embark on the journey of self discovery. My ideal clients are adolescents, preteens, teens and young adults, and groups looking for solution-focused and strength based approach to resolving their issues. My ideal client is open to holistic treatment modalities such as mindfulness and journaling .

I am a true believer that all individuals and families have strengths, power and the capacity to heal. I enjoy empowering them to reignite their fire that may seem dim in order to do so.

Walker Duncan, LMSW, MSSW
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 CMHC
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, MSW
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, LMSW, MSSW
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.