Welcoming 2026-2027 New Therapist-Trainees to Nashville Psych

Welcoming 2026-2027 New Therapist-Trainees to Nashville Psych

At Nashville Psych, we believe that healing happens in relationships. The quality of the therapeutic relationship matters deeply, and so does the quality of the training clinicians receive as they grow into the work. That is one of the reasons we are so excited to welcome two new therapist-trainees to our team for the 2026–2027 training year: Hanna Benkowski, MA, and Sam Harlan.

Our training program is designed to increase access to high-quality therapy while helping cultivate the next generation of thoughtful, relational, and well-trained clinicians. Therapy with a trainee can be an excellent option for clients seeking affordable care while still receiving the support, guidance, and oversight of licensed psychologists. At Nashville Psych, our trainees work closely with experienced supervisors and are deeply supported throughout the clinical process.

What often stands out most about exceptional therapists is not simply academic achievement or technical skill. It is their ability to connect authentically, listen carefully, stay curious, and create a space where people feel genuinely understood. Both Hanna and Sam bring those qualities into the therapy room in meaningful ways, and we are thrilled to have them joining our practice.

Meet Sam Harlan

Sam Harlan is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. As a therapist-trainee at Nashville Psych, Sam works under the supervision of Dr. Neva Murray, licensed psychologist.
From the beginning, Sam’s approach to therapy centers around warmth, empathy, and collaboration. He is passionate about creating an environment where clients feel seen, respected, and supported as they navigate challenges and work toward growth. He understands that starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially for people who may not know exactly where to begin, and he strives to create a space where clients can show up honestly and feel accepted as they are.

While Sam often approaches counseling through a cognitive lens, he believes therapy should never feel rigid or one-size-fits-all. Instead, he thoughtfully adapts his approach based on each client’s needs, goals, personality, and lived experiences. His work is grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens through genuine therapeutic relationships built on trust, compassion, and authenticity.

Sam works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, spirituality, identity development, and existential questions related to meaning and purpose. He has particular openness to conversations around spirituality and faith, recognizing that these experiences can be deeply personal and complex. Rather than making assumptions or pushing a particular perspective, Sam aims to meet clients where they are and help them explore these questions with curiosity and care.

For many people, therapy is not only about symptom relief. It is also about understanding themselves more fully, identifying patterns, exploring relationships, and making sense of their experiences. Sam considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients in that process.

Outside of the therapy office, Sam enjoys live music, trying new restaurants around Nashville, and spending time with his wife and their dogs, Pepper and Peanut. His grounded and approachable personality carries naturally into his clinical work and helps clients feel comfortable bringing their full selves into the room.

Meet Hanna Benkowski, MA

Hanna Benkowski, MA, is pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology at Tennessee State University and holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. As a doctoral trainee at Nashville Psych, she works under the supervision of Dr. Nisha Bhatt, licensed psychologist.

Hanna brings a warm, thoughtful, and collaborative presence to her work with clients. She is passionate about helping people better understand themselves as they navigate life transitions, emotional struggles, and relational challenges. She views therapy as a space where clients can gain insight, deepen self-understanding, and move toward meaningful change.

Her approach is integrative and client-centered, meaning she draws from multiple therapeutic modalities and tailors treatment to each individual’s unique needs and goals. Hanna values the therapeutic relationship as a central part of the healing process and strives to create an environment that feels both safe and gently encouraging.

Hanna’s clinical interests include anxiety, depression, identity development, and relational concerns. She is especially passionate about supporting individuals in emerging adulthood, a stage of life that often involves significant transitions and questions about identity, relationships, career paths, and purpose.

Emerging adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming. Young adults may find themselves navigating increased independence, uncertainty about the future, shifting relationships, or pressure to “figure everything out.” Hanna enjoys helping clients make sense of these experiences while developing greater self-awareness, resilience, and confidence in who they are becoming.

She is also affirming of diverse identities and experiences, including LGBTQ+ communities, and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive therapeutic environment.

Outside of her clinical work, Hanna enjoys long walks with her dog, getting lost in a good book with coffee in hand, and exploring Nashville restaurants with loved ones. Her calm, grounded presence and thoughtful curiosity help create a therapy environment where clients can feel both supported and challenged in meaningful ways.

Why Work With a Therapist-Trainee?

Many people are unfamiliar with the role of therapist-trainees and may wonder what it means to work with someone still in training. In reality, therapist-trainees are often highly motivated, deeply engaged clinicians who are receiving intensive education, supervision, and mentorship as they develop their skills.

At Nashville Psych, trainees are carefully selected and closely supervised by licensed psychologists. They participate in ongoing consultation, case discussion, and clinical training to ensure clients receive thoughtful and ethical care. This additional layer of support can actually create a highly collaborative treatment environment.

Working with a trainee can also increase access to therapy for individuals who may otherwise struggle to afford services. One of the goals of our trainee program is to help bridge gaps in accessibility while maintaining a high standard of care.

Therapy is ultimately a deeply human process. Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy. Feeling understood, emotionally safe, and genuinely connected to your therapist matters. Both Hanna and Sam bring warmth, authenticity, and intentionality to their work, and we are excited for clients to have the opportunity to work with them.

Finding the Right Therapist Fit

One of the most important parts of starting therapy is finding a therapist who feels like a good fit for you. Different therapists naturally bring different personalities, perspectives, and approaches into the room, and that is a good thing. What helps one person feel comfortable and understood may look different for someone else.

Some clients are drawn to a therapist who is highly reflective and insight-oriented. Others may prefer a more structured or practical approach. Some want space to process relationships and emotions deeply, while others may come to therapy focused on a specific challenge or life transition.

At Nashville Psych, we place a strong emphasis on thoughtful therapist matching because we know how important this fit can be. Our Client Care team works closely with new clients to better understand what they are looking for and help connect them with a clinician who may be a strong match for their needs and goals.

For clients seeking affordable therapy with clinicians who are warm, relational, engaged, and carefully supervised, both Hanna and Sam may be wonderful options to consider.

Welcoming the Next Generation of Clinicians

Training future therapists is an important part of strengthening the mental health field and increasing access to care within our community. We feel grateful to be part of that process and intentional about creating an environment where trainees can continue growing into skilled, ethical, and compassionate clinicians.

Hanna and Sam each bring a unique combination of intelligence, authenticity, curiosity, and care to their work. While their clinical interests and personalities differ in meaningful ways, they share a commitment to creating therapeutic relationships grounded in respect, collaboration, and genuine human connection.

We are excited to welcome them to Nashville Psych and look forward to supporting them throughout this next stage of their professional development.

If you are interested in learning more about working with Hanna or Sam, our Client Care team would be happy to help answer questions and explore whether one of them may be a good fit for your needs. Feel free to email, call or schedule a brief call.