Amy Balentine, Ph.D.
Owner and Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I'm Amy, a psychologist who helps the caregivers who put others’ needs ahead of their own, leading to overwhelm, exhaustion, and too many responsibilities to have a life where there is a moment to breathe and remember what brings them joy. You've been viewed as strong and resourceful, even as you feel alone and incapable of managing life. As your therapist I am here to help take the loneliness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia and all the things that are creating the final straw for you, and help you discover how to create a life that has more balance and room for you to breathe.
Through therapy we will work through the struggle of how to make space for yourself in your life, without the guilt and shame. My hope is that you will regain energy and direct it toward self-care. Imagine what will happen when you dramatically shift how you relate to yourself, with more kindness and compassion.
For over 20 years I have worked with adults who have anxiety, panic and PTSD. I am here to help you regulate their nervous system through nature connection, body movement, and mindfulness meditation. I also help you become free from limiting beliefs that hold you back from the life you want to live. I use expressive arts, body movement, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness and self-compassion practices.
The life of a caregiver doesn't have to be responding to crisis all the time. If you are ready to create your own healing with the support of therapy, contact me through our Contact Us button below.
Q&A with Dr. Balentine:
What is your training in mindfulness?
I am a Qualified MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) teacher and I trained at UCSD Center for Mindfulness, where I have taught a mindful self-compassion program for children I co-developed with fellow teacher Lorraine Hobbs.
Have you created any other mindfulness-based resource?
Lorraine Hobbs and I are the co-authors of the Self-Compassion Workbook for Kids published (available at Amazon among other online retailers).
What are your credentials as a psychologist?
I earned my Docingtorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2002 and completed her internship at the Professional Psychology Internship Consortium at UT in 2001. I also completed her fellowship in developmental disabilities from UT in 2003.
Do you ever leave your office, and if so, where are you to be found and what are you likely to be doing?
The outdoors is my default setting, whether in my garden at home or at our center’s “Mindfulness Meadows” garden. I go for daily walks with my dog and volunteer in outdoor activities through the Master Gardener program as well as the Tennessee Naturalist program. I spend time with friends, usually on hikes which include birding or foraging. I also enjoy playing boardgames with my husband and kids when my young adult children are willing.
Are there any other ways to contact you besides the contact us form?
My email is amy.balentine@mc4ml.com and my phone number is 901-537-2900. I also have a profile at Psychology Today with a contact form.