I am a Marriage and Family Therapy intern currently completing my graduate training at National University, where I am pursuing my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders. I have over a decade of experience in mental health and social services, working with individuals, families, and systems impacted by trauma, crisis, and complex life transitions. I am committed to providing ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive care.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in a client-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based framework. I believe that healing happens within the context of relationships and that each person brings resilience, insight, and capacity for growth into the therapy space. I work collaboratively with clients to understand how relational patterns, life experiences, and systemic influences shape current challenges, while supporting meaningful and sustainable change.

My background includes over a decade of extensive work with trauma survivors, children and families, individuals impacted by trauma, and clients navigating grief, anxiety, depression, and life stressors such as parenting, romantic relationships, and employment. This experience allows me to approach therapy with both clinical insight and real-world understanding of complex systems, crisis response, and long-term healing.

I draw from a range of therapeutic models, including family systems, cognitive-behavioral approaches, narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, and attachment-based perspectives. Which means, I take into account the family system you come from, the family you have formed, and the environment that influences you. In sessions, we may explore communication patterns, emotional responses, belief systems, and relational dynamics to help clients gain clarity, build emotional regulation, and strengthen connection with self and others. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to be seen, heard, and supported.

I welcome clients from all backgrounds, and I am especially mindful of the impact of culture, family roles, and systemic stressors on mental health. I would be honored to walk alongside you in your journey, offering support and collaboration as you navigate your unique path. I fully recognize the courage it takes to initiate therapy, and I respect the vulnerability and strength you bring to this process. I aim to provide a safe, respectful, and empathetic environment as we work together toward growth and healing.

I’m a native Texan at heart, but Tennessee has been home since I moved to Sumner County 13 years ago. I’m a loving mother to three adult children and a proud grandmother of five, all of whom bring so much joy to my life. I’m married to a wonderful husband, and together we cherish time spent with family. In my spare time, I enjoy getting lost in a good book and cooking meals that bring everyone together around the table.

Graduate Therapist Intern | Mental Health Counseling Student, Belmont University

Supervised by Keiara Marsh-Cartwright, LMFT

In-person in Gallatin, TN

Hi, I’m Lanie! I’m a graduate student in Mental Health Counseling at Belmont University, with an emphasis in marriage, couples, and family counseling. I provide counseling services under the supervision of Keiara Marsh-Cartwright, LMFT, at Tennessee Mental Wellness in Gallatin, TN. My focus is relational work, which means I care deeply about how you connect with the people in your life and what those connections say about your story.

Who I Work With

I work with individuals, couples, and families who are navigating relationship challenges, life transitions, family conflict, or personal growth. My clients are often people who sense that their patterns in relationships aren’t quite working anymore, but aren’t sure why or how to change them. If you’re ready to better understand how you connect with others and move toward healthier, more secure relationships, I’d love to work with you.

I am committed to being an inclusive and affirming therapist. Clients of all identities, backgrounds, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, relationship structures, and belief systems are welcomed, respected, and safe here. Therapy should honor the full complexity of who you are, and I bring humility, curiosity, and genuine respect for your lived experience into every session.

What I Focus On

Relational Patterns & Family Dynamics

Our closest relationships both shape us and stretch us. They are often where we experience our greatest joy, but also our deepest wounds. I help clients understand the relational patterns they carry, many of which were formed long before they were aware of them, and support them in building new ways of relating that actually feel good.

Couples & Pre-Marital Counseling

Whether you’re trying to reconnect, navigate conflict, or build a strong foundation before marriage, I offer a safe and collaborative space for couples to work through what’s getting in the way and strengthen what’s already there.

Life Transitions & Personal Growth

Change is hard, even when it’s good. If you’re in a season of transition and trying to figure out who you are and what you want, therapy can be a grounding place to process, reflect, and move forward with more clarity.

How I Work

Bowen Family Systems Theory

This approach looks at how the family you grew up in shapes how you think, feel, and relate as an adult. We explore intergenerational patterns and family-of-origin dynamics to understand why you show up the way you do in your current relationships.

Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory helps us understand how your earliest experiences of closeness and safety have shaped your expectations of others. Understanding your attachment style can be a powerful key to making sense of patterns that have felt confusing or stuck.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy invites you to examine the stories you’ve internalized about yourself and your relationships. Together, we explore what those stories are, where they came from, and how you can begin to author a new one that aligns with who you want to become.

Structural Family Therapy

This approach looks at the structure and organization of family relationships, including roles, boundaries, and communication patterns, to help families function in healthier, more connected ways.

My Style

I am client-centered, which means I will always meet you exactly where you are, without judgment, and at a pace that feels safe. Therapy works best when it feels like a true partnership, and that’s what I’m here to build with you. I bring warmth, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to walking alongside you in this process.

Background & Training

I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I am currently completing my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Belmont University, with an emphasis in marriage, couples, and family counseling. My passion for mental health and relational healing took root when I was a teenager and has only grown stronger as my education has deepened.

I provide therapy under the clinical supervision of Keiara Marsh-Cartwright, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

A Little About Me

Although I’m a Bama girl through and through, I have found Nashville to be my home away from home, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the Gallatin area since joining Tennessee Mental Wellness. I love the beautiful landscapes, the lively music scene, and the way this city mixes city life with the Southern hospitality I grew up with. Music has always meant a lot to me, and you can usually find Taylor Swift at the top of my Spotify Wrapped every year. Outside of sessions, I enjoy going on walks in my neighborhood, baking, getting lost in a great book, and spending intentional time with the people I love. My orange tabby, Archie, is almost always nearby. A fun fact: as a kid I was fascinated by sharks, dinosaurs, and ancient civilizations, so curiosity has always kind of been my thing.

Why I Became a Therapist

I’ve always known I wanted a career where I could help people. I started college thinking nursing might be that path, but after one semester I wasn’t so sure. (I’ll be honest, I hate getting my blood drawn anyway.) Then I took a psychology class with an excellent professor and everything clicked. That class solidified it for me, and I haven’t looked back since.

What I Believe About Therapy

A few things I hold onto in this work:

• Your healing journey doesn’t have to look a certain way or fit a mold.
• Therapy works best when the client and therapist work as a true collaborative partnership.
• Your past does not define you. You get to choose who you are.

Ready to get started?

Getting started is simple. You can call the Tennessee Mental Wellness, Gallatin office at 615-510-4551, email us at admin@tnmentalwellness.com, or schedule online at your convenience. We’d love to help you find the right fit.

Available in-person in Gallatin, TN