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 you leave behind the loneliness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia and all the things that are creating the final straw for you, and 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 been working with children, teens, and adults who have anxiety, worry, burnout, and PTSD. I also work extensively with clients who are neurodivergent, including those with ADHD, ADD, Level 1 Autism, and OCD. I am here to give you tools to recover from stress, restore your balance, understand your nervous system’s needs and grow your resilience and capacity. I also help you become free from limiting beliefs or looping thoughts that hold you back from the life you want to live. I use play therapy, expressive arts, somatic practices, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, cognitive therapy, ERP and ICBT, and mindfulness and self-compassion practices.
I wanted to create a center that offers a space for children, teens, and adults to fully accept themselves and their life as it is with compassion and to enjoy a life that is vibrant and in connection with compassionate and nurturing others. I bring this vision into the therapy room with all my clients as well as into the mindfulness classes and retreats and nature connection events I offer. This comes from my experience as a child who grew up with constant anxiety, OCD and ADHD and wanted desparately to worry less, be less self critical, and feel a greater sense of ease and belonging.
If you are ready to make space for yourself and learn to live with more freedom and joy through the support of therapy, contact me using our Contact Us button below.
Q&A with Dr. Balentine:
What insurance do You accept?
I take Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, and United Health Care
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?
You can reach me by email at amy.balentine@mc4ml.com or text at 901-209-0634. Our main office phone number is 901-537-2900.