MEET OUR TEAM
Valerie Martin (MSW, LCSW, RYT; she/her)
founder / clinical director & therapist
Valerie has a passion for working with folks who are seeking a deeper relationship with self, community, and the earth. She also offers couples / relationship therapy using The Gottman Method, as well as sex therapy. Valerie is a Ravenclaw, Enneagram 7, advocate for human and animal liberation, and literal tree hugger. She is always working on something fun, and right now it’s coaching, podcasting, and creating stuff under the moniker, Bad Bitch Therapist. 😜
Credentials: Valerie completed her MSSW at the University of Texas at Austin, and has been licensed as an LCSW (#6452) since January 2017.
Click here to learn more about Valerie’s therapeutic approach, specialties, and modalities.
Winter 2024: Valerie is accepting new clients by referral only.
Colleen Werner (MA, LPC-MHSP, RYT; she/her)
therapist & marketing manager
Colleen works with adults and teens (both 1on1 and in relationships) and is especially passionate about working with folks navigating trauma, eating disorders, body image concerns, sexual concerns, and neurodivergence, as well as creatives/folks working in the music and entertainment industries. She takes a holistic, client-centered approach and integrates somatic/experiential approaches (including EMDR & Brainspotting) along with cognitive/behavioral approaches based on each client’s unique needs. Colleen is also a dancer and yoga teacher. She loves playing with her two yorkies (Tidbit and Zen) with her fiancee, obsessing over corgis and Harry Styles, reading, and writing. In addition to her work as one of our therapists, Colleen is also our marketing manager.
Credentials: Colleen completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She has been fully licensed as an LPC-MHSP (#5908) since April 2024.
Emerson Ryder (MS; she/her)
therapist
Emerson works with adults and teens who are navigating neurodivergence, depression, anxiety, trauma, body image, sexuality, and life transitions. Emerson is passionate about supporting ALL people to feel included and worthy of healing and cultivating life they desire. She loves exploring new food joints with her friends, bargain hunting, and watching sitcoms with her partner.
Credentials: Emerson completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Austin Peay State University. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Kaitlyn King (LMFT, ATR; she/they)
therapist + art therapist
Kaitlyn works with individuals, couples/relationships, and families navigating trauma (EMDR trained), depression, anxiety, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ issues, eating disorders, and more. As your therapist, Kaitlyn will aim to be your biggest champion while compassionately challenging you to grow (and will only include art in your therapy process if you are open to it—it’s certainly not a requirement!) They love painting, Netflix marathons, reality TV, rock climbing, and hiking with their partner and two dogs.
Credentials: Kaitlyn received their Masters in Art Therapy and Masters in Couples and Family Therapy at Antioch University in Seattle. They have been licensed as an LMFT (#1975) since March 2024 and are also a Registered Art Therapist (ATR).
Kalaway Voss (MS; she/her)
therapist
Kalaway works with adults navigating grief and loss, anxiety, depression, complex trauma, and folks who are grappling with existential questions related to life, death, and meaning. Kalaway approaches healing from a mind/body/spirit perspective (including certification in Level 1 Reiki) and aims to help her clients feel empowered in their personal wisdom, tell their unique stories, and live bravely. She spends a lot of her time drying flowers and working with the restorative and healing properties of dried plants, herbs, and flowers.
Credentials: Kalaway completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Katelyn Mase (MA, NCC; she/her)
therapist
Katelyn works with adults and teens both 1on1 and in relationships. She specializes in supporting folks who are navigating trauma, anxiety, panic, depression, ADHD, ASD, LGBTQIA+ challenges, and sexual challenges. Katelyn has a special passion for trauma work, non-monogamous + kink relationship structures, neurodivergence, and identity exploration of all kinds. She is trained in Brainspotting, IFS, TF-CBT, and Safe and Sound. Her goal is to help you recognize and overcome the role external forces play in your life and view of self and embrace every part of yourself. Katelyn is a dancer, a rock climber, and a wannabe chef. She loves plants, her dog (Chevre, like the goat cheese), reading, and afternoon naps.
Credentials: Katelyn completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Kaycee Whiteside (MSW, LMSW; she/her)
therapist
Kaycee works with adults and teens (in individual therapy, couples/relationships, families, and groups) navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, OCD, and ASD. She is especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ folks, complex trauma (including relational, religious, and sexual trauma) and Borderline Personality Disorder. She is EMDR-trained. Kaycee’s mission is to support all her clients in feeling safer in their bodies, developing self-compassion, and becoming more fully present and connected in their lives. She loves sushi, lavender (the plant and the color), advocating for human rights, spending time in nature, and watching documentaries.
Credentials: Kaycee completed her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee and currently holds the LMSW credential as she works toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Mary Morrow (MA; she/her)
therapist
Mary works with adults, teens, and couples navigating trauma, grief, relationship challenges, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and identity/self-worth issues. She takes a holistic, client-centered approach, integrating mindfulness, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Brainspotting, Gottman Method, and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Mary is passionate about helping her clients gain the tools they need to feel empowered. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing, yoga, and watching thriller movies with her cat, Luka.
Credentials: Mary completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Sam DiMartino (MSW, LMSW; he/him)
therapist
Sam works with adults and teens navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, LGBTQIA+ issues, toxic masculinity, and justice involvement. He aims to provide his clients with a safe, judgement-free place to do restorative, curious work in each session. Sam is most excited to help folks gain a deeper mastery of themselves and gain empowerment through finding ways to use their unique strengths to navigate life's challenges. He loves coffee, comedy, podcasts, gaming, and spending time with his wife and their 2 cats.
Credentials: Sam completed his Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee and currently holds the LMSW credential as he works toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
SanTasha Wright-Comer (MSW, LMSW; she/her)
therapist
SanTasha works with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, sexual issues, and self-image. She also loves supporting folks who are feeling powerless and burnt out into empowerment, self-care, and healthy boundaries. SanTasha completed her BS and MSW from Tennessee State University. She loves spending time with her hubby and baby boy, and dancing to R&B in her living room.
Credentials: SanTasha completed her MSW at Tennesse State University and currently holds the LMSW credential as she is working toward full LCSW licensure under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.
Courtney Pitzer (BA, MT-BC; she/her)
clinical mental health counseling graduate student
Courtney is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University. She is also a Board-Certified Music Therapist (though it’s completely optional whether her Gaia Center clients choose to integrate music therapy into their counseling work with her.) Courtney works with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use / addiction, and body image challenges. She is also passionate about supporting folks through life transitions and exploration of identity / sense of self. In her free time, she enjoys making music just because, reading cheesy romance books, and exploring new restaurants around Nashville.
Grayson Peavy (BA; he/him)
clinical mental health counseling graduate student
Grayson is currently completing his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. He works with adults facing trauma, grief and loss, transitions, and addiction(s) of all kinds. He is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ population and their challenges both internally and socially. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two cats (Romeo and Lady Macbeth), discovering new music, and exploring his love of photography.
Tiffany Chitpanya (BS; she/her)
clinical mental health counseling graduate student
Tiffany is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health counseling at University of the Cumberlands. She works with teens and adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, and depression. Tiffany is passionate about encouraging and empowering people who are eager to embrace their true selves. In her free time, she enjoys reading thriller novels, puzzling, being with family & friends, and lifting heavy things.
Victoria Budesa (BS; she/they)
administrative assistant
After being on our team as a graduate intern in 2022-23, we are so fortunate that Victoria has stayed on as our Administrative Assistant. She is working towards a dual masters in both Couple + Family Therapy and Dance Movement Therapy from Antioch University New England. Victoria enjoys spending time with their partner and their two dogs (Ellie Mae and Hamilton), embracing a love of traveling the globe, exploring new restaurants in the Nashville area, and spending time in nature.
Madison Oliver (she/her)
undergraduate intern
Madison is a senior psychology major and social justice minor at Belmont University. Her goal after graduation is pursue a Masters in Social Work to ultimately become a therapist with an LCSW. In her free time, she loves to go to concerts, watch romantic comedies, crochet, and read books.