Keiara Marsh-Cartwright, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 
AAMFT Supervisor in Training

$150 per 50 minute session
Saturday sessions available at $200 per 50 minute session

Discover Your Healing Superpower: I help Perfectionistic Women and Teens move from Burnout and Overwhelm to Self-Empowerment and Inner Peace.

Welcome to a safe haven where healing and growth intertwine!

As a marriage and family therapist, my passion lies in guiding individuals, couples, and families through life's intricate challenges. It is my joy to provide counseling for Couples, “Perfectionist” women and teens, and Postpartum Moms. In my work with both couples and individuals, I provide a compassionate space for my clients to navigate the complexities of their relationships, challenges with friendships or work, and self-imposed pressures (like perfectionism and self-doubt) that stand in the way of experiencing the life that they long for. Together, we will create more fulfilling, authentic relationships, and empowerment in your life!

I am deeply committed to supporting emerging adults as they navigate the transition into adulthood, as well as offering guidance to women seeking to rediscover themselves and their purpose in life. In my practice, I embrace diversity and inclusivity, providing a LGBTQ+ affirming and safe environment for individuals and couples alike. Whether you're embarking on the journey of love as a dating or engaged couple, navigating the ups and downs of marriage, or seeking to resolve conflicts within your family dynamic, I am here to support you! From anxiety and depression to life transitions and marital discord, I am dedicated to walking alongside you as you embark on the path toward healing and self-discovery. Together, let's embark on a journey of transformation and empowerment!

• Couples Counseling (especially for LGBTQ+ couples)
• Brainspotting Practitioner
• Counseling for Women

A Brief Introduction:

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee (TN #1554). As an LMFT, I see teens, individuals, couples, and families! I offer therapeutic help for individuals 12 and older who are motivated for change and ready to do the work. My office is a safe space where I can help each client bring their true self into the room. I aim to build connections and meaningful relationships with every individual that enters.

My Counseling Services in Gallatin, TN

Most of my clients struggle with thoughts such as, 

• Am I enough?
• Am I doing enough? 
• I think I can try harder; I should be trying harder, and then maybe I’ll feel better
• Maybe it’s my fault I’m depressed/anxious/upset. Maybe I’m not trying hard enough.
• What will people think if I am not good enough at x, y, or z?
• What if people don’t like me? (I have a deep suspicion that they don’t)
• What are these weird physical symptoms that doctors can’t explain? (Like insomnia, headaches, nausea, IBS, etc.)

If these thoughts resonate with you, and if you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed and burned out, you are in the right place! It is difficult for high-achievers to recognize how stressed and exhausted they actually are, let alone acknowledge that they could use some help. You may be wondering if and how counseling could really make a difference for you, but if you are finally fed up with feeling miserable, you are ready to do something about it!

I started my career working with adolescents in middle and high schools and saw first-hand how pervasive overwhelm and perfectionism are among teens. Adolescence is a pivotal time filled with transitions and self-discovery, a time to learn more about who they are, their values, talents, and dreams. Perfectionism derails teens from connecting with their true and best selves. In my work with teenagers, I first meet them where they are in their journey, then I use narrative therapy techniques, to help them explore and reshape the stories they tell themselves about their lives. By externalizing problems and reframing negative narratives, my teenage clients gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and develop greater resilience. Through this process, they are empowered to rewrite their stories in ways that align with their strengths, values, and aspirations.

In my work with teens and women struggling with perfectionism or postpartum depression, I integrate a strengths-based approach to therapy, which focuses on identifying and amplifying the strengths and resources my clients already possess. By learning to emphasize solutions and strengths rather than dwelling on problems, my clients cultivate a sense of agency and optimism about their ability to effect positive change in their lives. Together, we work collaboratively to set achievable goals and develop practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving desired outcomes.

Through this integrative approach, I provide depressed, anxious, and perfectionistic clients with the support and tools they need to navigate their challenges with confidence and resilience. By fostering a safe and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment, I also empower clients to discover their unique paths to growth, self-discovery, and fulfillment. My clients are able to grow in confidence, relying on their inner wisdom and goodness, rather than being held captive by fears and insecurities.

Areas of Expertise:

• Women's issues 
  • Perfectionism (Related to work, parenting, body image)
  • People Pleasing (AKA “The Disease to Please”)
  • Postpartum Depression, Anxiety or Rage
  • Marriage / Relationships
  • Parenting 
  • Life Transitions

• Teens 
  • Perfectionism (and Overwhelm)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Difficult relationships

• Couples
  
  • Premarital Counseling
  • Dating, Engaged, or Married
  • Infidelity
  • Trust
  • Communication

• Diverse Individuals
• LGTBQ+

Perfectionism:

If you are someone who has never-ending to-do lists, feels perpetually overwhelmed, or berates yourself because you haven’t “done enough”, you are not alone! Perfectionism is pervasive, especially among women and teenagers. Maybe you feel exhausted all the time because you are always on the go, trying to check everything off your list. Or perhaps social media and other pressures with their supposed “ideal” examples of how to dress, what to eat, how to parent or live, are constantly running in the background of your head, reminding you that you will never live up to the “standard”. Your self-worth feels tied to your productivity, and the achievement of “perfection” becomes your compulsion. Part of you knows that you can never actually do everything your perfectionism is telling you, and this part of you wishes you could just be at peace with yourself, but you don’t know how to turn off the incessant “need to achieve”. 

I feel your pain, I really do! I am a recovering Type A Perfectionist. I’ve been there, and I’ve done the work to heal. As the only daughter and only child, I was the “secretary” of the family, I was the caregiver for others, and I learned that my needs come last. I needed to put other people before myself. Everybody depended on me. I felt that I needed people to know that I was constantly “productive” with work, school, etc, and I was terrified of letting people know how exhausted and burned out I truly was. The work I’ve done over the years has helped me learn that calendars and task lists do not prove my worth. I have learned to release the worry about looking good to others, and instead have developed an intrinsic sense of self-worth. I learned to tune in to myself and my own needs - (How am I feeling this morning? What does my body need today to feel good? What do I need mentally or relationally to feel at peace?) And I respond to my inner signals, rather than an external “what will people think”, or an imagined “should” list. 

I love helping clients on a similar transformation journey, going from stress, anxiety, and perfectionism, to self-compassion and peace.

Postpartum Anxiety, Depression and Rage:

• Becoming a mother is one of the greatest gifts in life, and my baby is so precious, so why do I feel so horrible? I
• haven’t been feeling myself ever since the baby was born, but it’s probably just “baby blues”
• I can’t stop worrying about something terrible happening to the baby. 
• My husband says it’s irrational but I can’t help it. I worry so much that I can’t sleep.
• I never was a yeller or a violent person, so why do I feel like screaming at the dog or my husband, or feel like throwing dishes across the room?

If you are a mother (new or not so new) and are experiencing pervasive thoughts like the ones above, you might struggle with Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, or Rage. These postpartum emotional states are often dismissed by mothers or their loved ones as “not a big deal” or something to “just get over”. But if these emotional states are disrupting your waking or sleeping hours, your relationships, and your work, for longer than 6 weeks, you may benefit from working with a professional (that’s me!). 

Another one of my passions is helping women heal from the emotional turmoil of being new mothers. Motherhood, while a wonderful gift, is also incredibly hard! Nothing prepares you for motherhood other than doing it. Women who struggled with perfectionism before becoming mothers are particularly susceptible to struggling emotionally after the baby is born. They are used to their schedules going a certain way, used to being able to control things, used to being prepared, and, as a new mother, you’re totally out of control. 

Some moms think that they only have postpartum depression or anxiety if they feel like they are going to hurt themselves or others, but it doesn’t have to be that extreme. What most people call “Just the baby blues” is commonly a Postpartum emotional disorder: “baby blues” comes and goes; postpartum is pervasive.

One aspect of the Postpartum period that is often invalidated for first-time mothers is that there is often a period of mourning the life she had before. Even when a mother can be grateful for becoming a mother, she can also feel sad that her life will never be the same. That is normal, and okay.

Postpartum anxiety might look like Knowing that you need a break but being afraid to take a break. Postpartum anxiety is a common and often debilitating issue affecting many mothers. It causes women to worry all the time about their children, or what people think of them, or any number of other things. In my office, addressing anxiety is crucial as it can significantly impact your daily functioning and overall well-being. Through evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, new moms can learn to recognize and manage anxious thoughts and emotions effectively. By creating a supportive therapeutic environment, my goal is to empower women to develop the skills they need to navigate anxiety and reclaim control over their lives. Together, we work towards reducing symptoms, increasing resilience, and fostering a greater sense of peace and fulfillment.

Postpartum rage looks like “The puppy didn’t do anything wrong but I’m yelling at the puppy all day long”. It also looks like anger, resentment towards people close to you or animals, and even feeling the need to hit something. Postpartum rage is an energy that needs to move through your body. 

As a therapist, I integrate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) into my approach to help clients manage and treat Postpartum Rage effectively. SFBT is a strengths-based model that focuses on identifying and amplifying clients' existing resources and abilities to create positive change in their lives.

Postpartum depression looks like sitting and staring. Not feeling anything. Feeling like nothing matters. Crying constantly. Not wanting to leave the house.

In working with clients experiencing Postpartum Anxiety, Depression, or Rage, I begin by collaboratively exploring their goals and aspirations for therapy. Rather than dwelling on past traumas or negative experiences, SFBT encourages clients to envision a future where they are free from the constraints of depression and able to live fulfilling lives.

Through a series of guided questions and conversations, I help clients identify specific instances when they have felt even a small sense of relief from their symptoms or moments when they have exhibited resilience and strength. By shining a light on these moments of success, clients begin to recognize their own agency and capacity for change.

Next, I assist clients in envisioning concrete, achievable goals that align with their values and aspirations. Together, we break down these goals into manageable steps and develop practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

Throughout the therapeutic process, I continuously reinforce clients' progress and successes, no matter how small. By highlighting their strengths and accomplishments, clients gain confidence in their ability to overcome Postpartum emotional symptoms and create meaningful change in their lives. I empower clients to shift their focus from problems to solutions, from deficits to strengths. This positive reframing helps clients cultivate a sense of hope, agency, and resilience, which are essential ingredients in the journey toward recovery from depressive and anxious mood states.

Couples Therapy

I help motivated couples who are committed to their relationship but are feeling “stuck” in some way and have done everything they can think of to improve the relationship, to no avail. Couples Therapy is a specialized form of therapy designed to help couples improve their relationship dynamics, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their bond. In couples therapy, I work with partners to address a variety of issues, including communication problems, trust issues, infidelity, intimacy issues, and conflicts over finances or parenting.

Key elements of couples therapy include communication skills training, conflict resolution techniques, and exploring underlying relationship patterns and dynamics. I use evidence-based approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method of Couples Therapy. 

Through couples therapy, partners learn to communicate more effectively, understand each other's perspectives, and develop healthier ways of resolving conflicts. The goal is to foster a deeper connection, mutual respect, and emotional intimacy within the relationship.

Overall, couples therapy provides a supportive and non-judgmental environment where partners can explore their relationship challenges, strengthen their bond, and work towards building a more fulfilling and satisfying partnership.

My Background:

• Education
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 
    • Bachelors of Psychology with a minor in  Child & Family Studies 
  • University of Kentucky
    • Masters of Science in Family Studies with an emphasis on Couple & Family therapy
• External Education: EFT LGBTQ+
• Publication: Thesis on Analyzing Attitudes Towards Stayover Relationships Among Emerging Adults
• School Counselor, Middle School setting in Kentucky 
• School Counselor, High School setting in Tennessee 
• In-home Agency Work (Therapist) 
• Former owner of a Private Practice before joining TN Mental Wellness
• Member of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor In Training

A little fun

As a Nashville native and Hume-Fogg Academic alum, I bring a deep understanding of our vibrant community to my work as a therapist. Outside of the office, I cherish spending time with my wonderful son and my high school sweetheart, who is now my loving husband. When I'm not helping clients navigate life's challenges, you can often find me indulging my passion for food by exploring new restaurants around town—I'm a self-proclaimed foodie who simply despises cooking! 😂 Whether I'm connecting with loved ones or discovering culinary delights, I find joy in the simple pleasures of life and cherish the moments spent creating memories with those I hold dear.

"Therapy: where your quirks are celebrated, your struggles are understood, and your journey is honored—all with a side of laughter."