Helen Tarleton is a Nashville, Tennessee-based psychotherapist with over thirty years of experience helping adults, adolescents, and couples overcome challenges, heal from painful experiences, repair relationships, and ultimately thrive. Helen brings thoughtfulness, curiosity, and respect to each interaction with her clients, as she deeply understands the importance of a compassionate therapeutic relationship for successful outcomes in therapy.  

Utilizing a combined approach of psychodynamic, intersubjective, and therapeutic methods influenced by Eastern Psychology, Tarleton expertly guides her diverse set of clients in dealing with a wide range of presenting issues, including life transitions; anxiety and depression; grief; trauma; phobias; chronic illness; LGBTQIA+ issues; sexual assault; adoption-related issues; abuse and neglect; caregiver challenges; pre-marital concerns; and parenting difficulties. 

Helen is a certified mental health integrative medicine practitioner, is trained in EMDR levels I and II, and has clinical training in the non-somatic (psycho-spiritual) treatment principles of traditional Chinese Medicine. Helen’s interest in Eastern psychology also incorporates mental health practices from Japan, which place a heavy emphasis on the healing power of nature.  In addition to regular in-office and telehealth sessions, Helen offers “walk and talk” and nature therapy sessions. 

Prior to joining Nashville Psych on a full time basis, Helen served as Middle School Director of Counseling and Resources at the University School of Nashville (USN). Tarleton earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Masters in Special Education from McDaniel College. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Science from Wesleyan University.   

Helen is a member of the National Association of Social Work, an advisory board member of the Center for Integrative Learning and Teaching (CILT) Nashville, a founding board member of Learning Matters, and a member of Mindfulness in Nashville Education. 

Outside of work, Helen loves activities that get her in, on, or near the water. She also enjoys gardening, horseback riding, hiking, writing songs, and composing music for fun.