Our Team

Kiersten Twitchell, LCSW, SEP

she/her

Live Full Therapy Founder + Director

Certified EMDR Therapist

EMDRIA Approved Consultant

Kiersten is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience as a trauma therapist.  After receiving her Master’s in Social Work from NYU, she lived in New York City for 10 years working in schools and outpatient clinics, having fallen in love with the energy of the city.  After moving to Nashville in 2016, Kiersten worked at the Sexual Assault Center as a therapist and supervisor, and most recently their Clinical Director, prior to opening Live Full Therapy in 2019.  In addition to providing individual therapy, Kiersten is also passionate about providing supervision and consultation to fellow therapists.

Kiersten believes that connection is a vital piece of the healing process.  She shows up to this work as a human being first, and therapist second.  You can count on Kiersten to be compassionate yet honest with you, and also bring a sense of humor to sessions.  She creates a space where clients can connect with themselves in new ways, and safely explore whatever is most needed.  She is certified in EMDR, and is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. She is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.   In addition to working with all types of trauma, as well as anxiety and relationship issues, a few of her specialty areas include working with folks in the LGBTQIA+ community as well as creatives (artists, singer/songwriters, etc). She also loves working with fellow therapists and those in other helping professions.

Kiersten is licensed in both Tennessee and New York.  She provides in-person and telehealth services to Tennessee residents, and telehealth only to clients in New York.  

Kiersten is a proud dog mom of two amazing pups, Jackson and Kennedy.  A crucial part of her morning routine is a long walk with them, while listening to an audiobook or podcast, prior to heading to the office.  Kiersten loves traveling and adventuring, trying new Nashville restaurants with her husband and favorite people, exploring the city’s parks and greenways, and practicing yoga. 

Amanda Whitehurst, LCSW, SEP

she/her

Therapist

Amanda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is passionate about coming alongside individuals on their healing journey with a personable, evidence-based approach.

Amanda realized she’d stumbled into the career of her dreams while getting her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University, where she worked with Holocaust survivors who taught her a lot about trauma resilience. Following this, Amanda moved to Denver, CO, where she split her time between hiking and working in pediatric hospice before transplanting once again to Nashville in 2018. Since calling Nashville home, Amanda has worked in both inpatient and residential mental health treatment facilities. Amanda joined Live Full Therapy in 2021 and has cherished the opportunity to come alongside folks for longer stretches of time.

Amanda believes that the therapeutic relationship is the most crucial element of the healing process. Because of this, Amanda is real and down to earth - she’s a human being who is committed to joining her clients on the path towards their goals. In her sessions, Amanda fosters an atmosphere of safety, compassion, trust, and empowerment that she couples with scientifically-based interventions. Amanda is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and EMDR Levels 1 + 2 trained, and is currently working towards EMDR Certification. She also incorporates parts work, inner child work, and other interventions dependent on each client’s needs and preferences. Amanda is passionate about ensuring her work is anti-oppressive and she is comfortable working through issues related to social location and identity.

When not in session, you can find Amanda attempting to bake unnecessarily fancy cakes. She also loves writing, reading, and laughing at the silly things her dog and cat do. Amanda enjoys exploring National Parks and is always planning her next trip to somewhere beautiful.

Russell Baxter, LPC

he/him

Therapist

Russell specializes in trauma, compulsive sexuality, depression, and life transitions. He is passionate about helping others rediscover their sense of wellbeing during life’s inevitable challenges. He cultivates this through an environment of acceptance and connection as the root of therapy.

Russell received a M.A. in Counseling in Boston, MA. He had the opportunity to work at The Justice Resource Institute, where he developed a passion for working individually with adolescents and adults in the field of trauma. Following this, Russell relocated back home to Nashville where he practiced in both outpatient and residential facilities that specialize in trauma treatment. Russell joined Live Full in 2021 and appreciates working with the amazing folks in Nashville.

Russell likes to bring a sense of humor and laid-back demeanor to therapy. He approaches therapy with the attitude that every person, despite their background, is worth helping. Russell appreciates life’s complexities and is able to hold space for nuance in the challenges we face.  He creates an environment of safety, understanding, and curiosity that he uses with evidence based practices. He is trained in SAFE EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, TF-CBT, and naturally works from an attachment lens. Further, Russell is currently a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Candidate through the International Institute For Trauma and Addiction Professionals. 

Russell can also be found exploring new hiking trails with his two Australian shepherds and cheering on all things Nashville sports. He loves trying new restaurants, biking, and connecting with new people. 

Russell has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)

Kara Guindin, LCSW

she/her

EMDR Certified Therapist

Kara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and working with parents and caregivers. She received her Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 and since then has worked in a variety of community health and mental health settings. Most recently, she worked with the Sexual Assault Center and Nashville Children’s Alliance providing integrated trauma and attachment focused therapy for caregivers whose families had been impacted by sexual abuse.

Kara has pursued extensive training in trauma-informed, attachment-based modalities such as SAFE EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC). In addition, she is entering her advanced year with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute and often incorporates somatic work into her practice. She utilizes a combination of these treatment modalities to best meet your goals for therapy.

Kara believes in the innate capacity and sacred art of healing through connection- connection with others and connection within ourselves. She is passionate about providing a space that feels safe and soothing where you can feel seen and heard without judgment or feeling the need to say or do “the right thing.” She loves to gently explore all parts of the self- courage and strengths, pain and wounds, and grace and resilience. Overall, she believes that therapy thrives when relationships are nurtured. When the nervous system feels safe, you already have what you need for healing to occur.

Kara was born and raised in Nashville. In her spare time, you may find her eating at new restaurants, hiking around local parks, getting crafty, planning out a vacation, and simply enjoying time spent with her husband, daughter, two cats, and her dog. She is currently available for both in person and telehealth sessions.

Kara has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)

Sadie McDaniel, LCSW

they/them

Therapist

Sadie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma, depression, and gender identity and expression. Sadie is passionate about building relationships with clients where they feel seen, heard, and valued. They received their Master’s in Social Work from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work in 2015 and has worked in a variety of community mental health settings.

Sadie believes that authenticity and safety are vital to the healing process. They value a therapeutic environment that is sex and kink positive, gender affirmative and celebratory. Sadie has developed a passion for working within the intersection of neurodiversity and gender variance, largely due to their own lived experience as a neurodivergent and non-binary human. Sadie is trained in DBT, Somatic & Attachment Focused EMDR (S.A.F.E EMDR), and utilizes a variety of somatic based approaches to help clients reconnect and understand their body cues.

When Sadie is not in session, they can be found playing RPG/MMO/action/adventure video games or watching anime and snuggling with their two kitties, Morpheus & Neo.

Sunni Brimsy, LMSW

she/they

Therapist

Sunni is a Licensed Master Social Worker specializing in trauma, complex-trauma, anxiety, and coping skills. Sunni earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2020, but has working in the field of social work since 2015 within Nashville’s unhoused communities. Sunni also works as a therapist at the Sexual Assault Center, where she completed her clinical internship during graduate school.

Sunni is deeply passionate about curating relationships in therapy, and she does that by showing up to each session authentically as herself- and in turn hopes that gives each client the space to do the same. Sunni believes wholeheartedly that therapy should be a space of safety, belonging, and a space to stretch, grow, and learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sunni is relational in her approach and loves to laugh with clients but will also gently offer that call-in that we all need from time to time. Sunni takes the approach that the client is in charge, and adapts each session to each individual client’s needs- no “one size fits all” approach to be found here. Sunni is level 1 and 2 trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR and has had extensive training in DBT. In addition to working with trauma and anxiety, Sunni also loves to work with folks within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, exploring boundary work, attachment work, and with folks looking to unapologetically fall in love with themselves.

When not in session, Sunni can be found staring lovingly at her two dogs, Isaac and Ruth or her cat Gerald, and with her partner exploring new hiking trails, birdwatching, or sipping on her 3rd (or 4th if we’re being honest) coffee of the day. Sunni loves to swap podcast and book recommendations with clients and spends a substantial amount of time knitting blankets.

Corisa Ricciardi, LMSW

she/her

Therapist

Corisa is a Licensed Master Social Worker who specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and attachment ruptures. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2020 and has worked in the trauma field in nonprofit settings for the past 7 years. She has worked with the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, The Sexual Assault Center, and Catholic Charities of Middle Tennessee providing crisis support as well as trauma-focused treatment for children, teens, adults, and families. Corisa offers services in both English and Spanish.

Corisa brings a sense of ease and compassion to her sessions and offers supportive and non-judgmental observations as well as strengths-based support for her clients. She enjoys working with clients of all identities and values each person’s lived experience. Corisa’s goal is to offer a therapeutic space of connection and always aims to move at the client’s own pace to tap into the resiliency and capacity for growth that resides within them. Whether clients are wanting to grow their skills in coping with life’s many challenges, to know themselves more fully, or to seek healing from trauma, Corisa is glad to meet clients in this space and feels honored to be able to collaborate with individuals and families on their therapy journey. 

Corisa is trained in EMDR, Theraplay, CPC-CBT, TF-CBT and often integrates elements of parts work (IFS), sandplay, play therapy, and other attachment, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches that best meet clients where they are. She believes that the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is an integral part of the therapeutic journey and having a good fit where clients feel safe, comfortable, and respected is of the utmost importance to her.

Corisa has called Nashville home since transplanting from Southern California in 2013. When not in session, Corisa can be found hitting the trails, taking in a new art exhibit or independent film at the local theater or museum, or off exploring other local Nashville gems. Outside of that, she loves spending time outside as often as possible and is always looking for her next travel destination for hiking or adventure.

Jessica Blackwell, LPC-MHSP (temp)

she/her

Therapist

Jessica holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She joined the team at Live Full Therapy in September 2021. She has lived in Nashville for the past 13 years.

Jessica has been drawn to therapeutic work since she was a teenager, when her own journey with a therapist began; since then, her interest in mental health has turned into a calling. Being human, everyone has “stuff,” and it can be challenging and overwhelming to confront it alone. Having someone help sort through what life brings can be a game changer and a key to living your most fulfilling life.

Jessica received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance and was a violinist with the Nashville Symphony from 2009-2021. Currently, she is on faculty at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, where she has been an artist-teacher of violin since 2009. She has learned a tremendous amount from her students over the years and loves how much there is to also learn from her clients. She enthusiastically welcomes clients of different backgrounds and life experiences, and invites everything that makes you uniquely you.

Jessica specializes in working with people 12 and up who are in search of support and guidance through life's challenges. Whether it be relationships, life transitions, depression, work stress, self-esteem, or anxiety, she wants to help you navigate life in such a way that feels authentic and energizing, tailored specifically to your needs and goals. She is committed to helping you feel safe and accepted and to creating a therapeutic space free of judgment, full of empathy and open-mindedness. For Jessica, it is a privilege to compassionately walk alongside her clients in their journey towards well-being.

In addition to her work, Jessica loves spending time with friends and family and her doggie, Lily. She enjoys trying out all the new places popping up around Nashville, as well as playing violin with friends in Nashville and beyond.

Jessica has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)

Robyn Chaffee, LPC-MHSP, NCC

she/her

Therapist

Robyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in trauma and complex trauma, sexual violence, chronic pain/illness, domestic violence and emotional abuse, depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, and anxiety. Robyn earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lock Haven University in 2020, but has been in the mental health field since 2015 working in different community mental health organizations along the way.

Robyn believes in a collaborative therapeutic rapport, with the intention that both therapist and client can show up authentically together. Robyn honors the client’s sense of safety and appreciates that trust is built over time. Robyn is client-centered in her approach and loves to laugh with her clients, but will also gently offer call-ins, observations, and connections within the client’s experiences. Robyn brings an integrative approach to sessions and loves to apply many therapeutic modalities to fit each individual client’s needs. Robyn is trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC), Brainspotting, Trauma-Focus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and utilizes a variety of somatic, attachment, and parts-based approaches.

When she’s not in session, Robyn is out walking her dog, Hera, baking delicious treats, trying new recipes, spending time with friends, traveling, and watching light-hearted tv shows. 

Robyn has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)

Kate Larson, LCSW

she/her

Therapist

Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression, and navigating life’s transitions. Kate earned a Masters degrees in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 2018, and has six years of experience at the Sexual Assault Center in Nashville, with an emphasis on working with survivors of interpersonal violence and childhood trauma, and those in addiction recovery. She is passionate about helping each individual connect with coping strategies, self-care practices, and healthy relationship dynamics that feel personally fulfilling and sustainable. Kate has lived in Nashville for the past ten years, and has prior experience in advocacy work for sexual assault survivors in Portland, Oregon, and supporting college and university students. 

Kate believes in creating a comfortable, non-judgmental space where clients are free to bring all of their thoughts and feelings, even those parts we all have that feel awkward or uncomfortable. Kate is fully trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR, and finds it helpful for clients who are seeking to heal from past experiences in which they’ve felt unsafe or disconnected from themself or others. Kate brings light-heartedness to therapy sessions, while also being direct with kindness and compassion.

Kate is energized by time spent in nature, and her favorite places are deep in the forest. Outside of therapy sessions she can be found wandering Nashville’s greenways and trails with her family, indulging the quirks and whims of her two senior rescue dogs, or staying up too late finishing a good book.

Kate has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)

Laura Jones, LMSW

she/her

Therapist

Laura is a Licensed Master Social Worker specializing in trauma, complex-trauma, depression and life transitions. Laura earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University in 2021, and has worked in the field of social work since 2016.

Laura aims to witness and extend compassion toward every part of her clients. She believes therapy can be an incredible tool for enhancing our connection to our most authentic selves, as well as our needs and desires. Laura takes a relational, warm, and intentional approach to the folks she works with. She values humor, creativity, and gentleness above all else. Laura also recognizes that everyone requires a unique approach to the healing journey; she works hard to explore and honor each person’s hopes for therapy, and to move at a pace that feels safe and sustainable for them.

Laura is trained in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, and primarily takes an IFS-informed approach as a therapist. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults who are interested in moving toward a more secure attachment with themselves and others. She also has experience working with folks who struggle with self-esteem or are interested in processing childhood or attachment trauma. Outside of the office, Laura spends time with her husband and two pups, Jasper and Raylee. She loves trying out local coffee shops, curating the perfect playlist, thrifting and dancing.

Taylor Lintelman

she/her

Practicum Student

Master’s in Counseling Candidate, Northwestern University

Taylor is a graduate student at Northwestern University, obtaining her Masters in Mental Health Counseling. She joined Live Full Therapy in April 2023 and works with clients under supervision. Taylor has been a part of the Nashville community for 9 years and has a background in the performing arts.

Taylor seeks to build meaningful and impactful relationships with her clients filled with empathy, unconditional positive regard, and safety. She believes therapy is a space that allows us to feel seen, heard, and appreciated, and in joining her clients as they start a journey to live their most rewarding lives that are authentic to their unique identities.

Having spent many years in the music industry, Taylor brings a unique perspective to counseling. In her time as a performing artist, she gained a deep understanding of what moves people and how connection can happen between anyone when we see each other’s humanity.

Taylor works with adults and adolescents looking to increase their overall wellness, cope with depression and anxiety, cope with grief, and increase autonomy as they navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world. She also hopes to empower individuals in the creative and LGBTQIA+ communities on their self-acceptance and self-love journeys. 

Outside of the office, Taylor spends time with her fiancé and her doggos, Biscuit and Louie. She loves HBO dramas, filling the pages of her passport, and eating at new restaurants in Nashville.

Taylor has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)

Troy Morrow

he/him

Practicum Student

Master’s in Counseling Candidate, Vanderbilt University

Troy is a graduate student in the Human Development Counseling program at Vanderbilt University, obtaining his master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling. He joined Live Full Therapy in January 2024 and works with clients under supervision. Troy has called Nashville home for the last 10 years after leaving his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia in 2013. He has been a student, a barista, a tutor, and most recently a clinical researcher before fully entering the world of counseling.

Troy believes that counseling is a place for your authentic self to feel safe, heard, and validated. He seeks to co-create a space of exploration, joy, and meaning to let that authentic self speak louder and be heard. Helping to build and expand a sense of agency, inner peace, and self-love is at the core of Troy’s work. In the therapeutic space, you are the expert on your own life and experiences. We all find ourselves navigating complex and thoroughly unfair systems daily and we all deserve to have someone journey with us through our struggles and our triumphs.

Troy discovered his call to counseling while researching counseling interventions designed to help teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes and their families improve their mental health, diabetes management, and family communication. As a type 1 diabetic himself, Troy saw reflected in the teenagers he worked with the same struggles he had as a newly diagnosed teenager, and he saw the power of creating a space to talk about truly feel these struggles. He brings that power of intention, connection, and community to his counseling work today.

Troy enjoys working with adults, adolescents, and children holding queer, neurodivergent, and marginalized identities as well as folks living with chronic illness or disability. He works with folks dealing with depression, anxiety, stressful transitions. He also works with people navigating ADHD, Autism, and other forms of neurodiversity and those that have goals in improving emotional regulation. Troy takes an approach based in connection, exploration, meaning, and mindfulness incorporating cognitive, narrative, and expressive approaches.

Outside of the office, Troy enjoys Latin Dancing, petting his two cats Justin and Jasper, crocheting, playing puzzle platformers on his Nintendo switch, and attending concerts and movies with his partner.

Troy has openings for new clients (updated January 2023)