Psychotherapy & Forensic Services Staff

Shannon Brown, LCSw

Shannon Brown is a therapist who is devoted to providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people living in Tennessee as well as non-LGBTQ+ people.

She focuses on increasing every person's sense of empowerment & self-determination, providing advocacy to minimize barriers for change & growth, & educating all clients & family/community members. Shannon provides therapy for children, teenagers, adults, couples & families.

Shannon holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, is an Irene Sogg Gross Humanitarian Service award recipient (2007), is a Professional Achievement in Direct Practice award recipient (2018) & was inducted as an honored Member of the Hall of Achievement (2018).

She is a a Certified National Emergency Responder & Public Safety Clinician.
Shannon has certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy.
Shannon has certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Shannon is additionally specialized in working with:

Anger
Anxiety
Betrayal trauma
Body & Sex Positivity
Boundary/boundaries development
Chronic illness
Chronic pain & body distress
Cultural diversity issues
Disempowerment
Emergency Responder & Public Safety
Family/community rejection
Family conflict
Forensic-related issues pertaining to the legal system
LGBTQ+ health issues
LGBTQ+ safe space for exploring any/all issues
LGBTQ+ marital/couples issues
LGBTQ+ family issues
Mood disorders
Personality disorders
ENM/NMG/Polyamory/Polycule safe therapist
PTSD/CPTSD/PTI
Self-esteem, self-confidence
Stress management
Transgender-related issues
Women's issues
She provides clinical supervision

Shannon employs a variety of interventions including: Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Meditation & Mindfulness Based Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, & Solution-Focused Therapy. She has almost two decades of experience working with vulnerable & oppressed people, including women & children, victims of violence, LGBTQ+ individuals and families, homeless individuals, & impoverished & isolated Appalachian Americans.

To schedule an appointment with Shannon, please call or text 865-309-5427 or email shannon@safewholehappytherapy.com

Laila Sherrod, LCSW

Laila Sherrod is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been working in the Knoxville area for over 10 years She has worked with adolescents and adults experiencing things like depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and life transitions.

She is a member of Postpartum Support International, an organization that increases awareness about the emotional changes women experience during pregnancy and postpartum.

Laila believes therapy is like other important relationships – it is often based on trust and the willingness to be open and honest. She will help guide you through challenging times in life while validating your experience and empowering you to make changes when necessary. Laila enjoys using meditation and mindfulness in her practice as requested by clients.

She is LGBTQ+ safe and believes it is critical to provide a safe space for everyone. Laila is currently accepting clients ages 12+ for both in-person sessions and telehealth.

Anxiety
Attachment
Body & Sex Positivity
Boundary/boundaries development
Communication skills
Coping skills
Crisis Intervention
Cultural diversity issues
Depression
Disempowerment
Family/community rejection
Family conflict
Grief/Traumatic Grief
Interpersonal violence
LGBTQ+ safe space for exploring any/all issues
Mood disorders
Perinatal mood disorders
Personality disorders
Polyamory/Polycule/Non-monogamy safe therapist
PTSD
Relational & communication issues
Self-esteem, self-confidence
Self-harming
Stress management
Suicidal ideation
Transgender-related issues
Women's issues

Laila's rate is $135.00 per session. For an appointment, please call or text (865) 210-8669 or email laila@safewholehappytherapy.com

Chelsey Birch, LPC-MHSP

I specialize in helping individuals and families navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience. I have been working as a Licensed Professional Counselor for the last eight years after completing my master’s degree in Counselor Education.

My Specialized Areas of Care:

Child & Adolescent Therapy
Individual Therapy for Adults
Professional Psychological Testing & Assessment
Clinical Supervision
Substance Use Recovery, Assessment & Support

I understand that taking the first step toward mental health care can feel overwhelming. That's why I strive to offer a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can explore your path to wellness at your own pace.

I offer services in person and over telehealth (ages 10+). I accept the following insurances: Aetna, Ambetter, BCBS, BlueCare, BHS, Cigna, Humana, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and WellPoint.

**Assessments are not covered by insurance and are cash pay, price varies depending on the assessment.

To schedule an appointment:

call or text (865) 221-7551

or email chelseylynnbirch@gmail.com.

Susan Baxter, LPC-T

Susan is a native Maryvillian. She is familiar with the stigma related to mental health. Susan is an avid advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She believes that EVERYONE deserves the chance to life their authentic life. Susan strives to create a safe and welcoming environment.

She has been working in social services and mental health for over 10 years. Susan has experience in numerous areas of mental health and has taught classes in collaboration with DCS on parenting, alcohol and drug education, non-offender parenting anger management, and relapse prevention. She has worked as a therapist with substance abuse, mental health and adult residential services. She likes to bring a creative balance to her work, incorporating creativity through her individual and group sessions.

She has completed trainings for specialization in:

LGBTQIAS2+ counseling

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

IFS (Internal Family Systems)

CCTP/CCTPII (Certified Complex Trauma Professional)

Personality Disorder Treatment Professional

Women’s Mental Health Certification (In Process)

Integrative Sex and Couples Certification (In Process)

Susan is additionally specialized in working with:

Anger and Anger Management
Anxiety
Betrayal trauma
Body & Sex Positivity
Boundary/boundaries development
Cultural diversity issues
Disempowerment
Domestic Violence
Emergency Responder & Public Safety
Family/community rejection
Family conflict
Forensic-related issues pertaining to the legal system
Kink/BDSM
LGBTQ+ health issues
LGBTQ+ safe space for exploring any/all issues
LGBTQ+ marital/couples issues
LGBTQ+ family issues
Mood disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Personality disorders
Psychotic Disorders
PTSD/CPTSD/PTI
Self-esteem, self-confidence
Stress management
Substance Abuse Recovery
Suicidal/Homicidal Ideation
Transgender-related issues
Women's issues

Susan accepts private pay at a rate of $100/session.

To schedule an appointment:

call or text (865) 210-8222 or email susan@safewholehappytherapy.com

ETTRICK

Ettrick joined Psychotherapy & Forensic Services in March 2020.

He loves to assist with the therapeutic process by sitting with you in the waiting area, walking with you into your therapy session, sitting in your lap, howling to let you know he's missed you, putting a foot on you if you need some comfort, showing you happiness to let you know that you're important, & sleeping close by in case you need him.

He is very mindful of noises and does his very best to remain quiet so people can concentrate. If he notices you need to feel protected, sometimes he will bark to let you know he is keeping you safe and scaring away any danger you may feel.

He knows some important commands, like "Sit!" "Stay!" and "Boundaries!" He knows some other important commands too because he's very smart.

Ettrick believes that love, kindness, respect, patience, and safety are the most important...unless there's a treat close by. In those cases, treats are the most important.

Ettrick says, "I have an imperfect smile & I love that about myself. When I was a baby, people thought it was a flaw and they didn't want me. People said I was ugly. But what people thought were imperfections, are my best qualities. I learned this about myself and because of this, I'm very happy."