Helen Tarleton is a Nashville-based psychotherapist who works with adults. With more than thirty years of experience, she brings steadiness, curiosity, and deep respect to clients navigating painful experiences, difficult transitions, relationship concerns, and questions about how they want to live.
Helen understands that the quality of the therapeutic relationship matters. She works to create a thoughtful, compassionate space where clients can feel understood, explore what may be happening beneath the surface, and move toward greater connection with themselves and others.
Her approach integrates relational depth, mind-body awareness, and contemplative traditions. She allows therapy to be shaped around each client’s history, needs, and way of understanding the world.
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How Helen works
Helen works from a psychodynamic and intersubjective perspective. This means therapy may involve exploring how earlier experiences, relationships, and emotional patterns influence what a client is experiencing today, while also paying close attention to what develops within the therapy relationship itself.
She views therapy as a collaborative process. Rather than approaching clients as problems to be solved, Helen brings curiosity to the ways they have learned to adapt, protect themselves, and make sense of their experiences.
Helen’s work is also influenced by Eastern psychology and contemplative traditions that emphasize presence, acceptance, and the relationship between the mind and body. Depending on the client, therapy may include attention to physical sensations, emotional patterns, personal meaning, spirituality, and the ways people respond to circumstances they cannot immediately change.
Helen works with clients to:
- Better understand recurring emotional and relationship patterns
- Process trauma and painful past experiences
- Develop greater self-compassion
- Feel more connected to their bodies and emotions
- Navigate grief, illness, and major life changes
- Strengthen communication and relationships
- Respond to anxiety with greater awareness and flexibility
- Explore questions of identity, purpose, spirituality, and meaning
Helen adapts her approach to each person. Some clients may want to reflect deeply on their histories and relationships, while others may benefit from trauma processing, somatic awareness, practical support, time in nature, or a combination of these approaches.
Areas of focus
Helen works with clients navigating:
- Trauma
- Sexual assault, abuse, and neglect
- Anxiety and depression
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions
- Chronic illness
- Caregiving stress
- Adoption-related concerns
- Phobias
- LGBTQIA+ related concerns
- Relationship difficulties
- Premarital concerns
- Parenting challenges
A list of specialties cannot capture every reason someone may seek therapy. Our Client Care team can learn more about what you are experiencing and help determine whether Helen or another Nashville Psych therapist may be the best fit.
Trauma and EMDR
Helen is trained in Levels I and II of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She may incorporate EMDR when clients want support processing trauma, distressing memories, phobias, or experiences that continue to affect their emotions, relationships, or sense of safety.
Trauma can influence more than memory. It may shape the nervous system, the body, self-perception, trust, and the ability to remain emotionally present in relationships. Helen approaches trauma work carefully and collaboratively. Clients aren’t expected to revisit painful experiences before they feel ready. The pace and direction of therapy are guided by trust, emotional safety, and each client’s needs.
Integrative and mind-body approaches
Helen is a certified mental health integrative medicine practitioner. Her work reflects an understanding that emotional wellbeing can be influenced by the body, environment, relationships, daily rhythms, and broader life context. She has clinical training in somatic and psycho-spiritual principles influenced by traditional Chinese medicine.
She also draws from Japanese psychological traditions, including Morita Therapy. Morita Therapy emphasizes learning to make room for difficult thoughts and feelings while continuing to engage in meaningful action. Rather than waiting to feel completely certain, calm, or motivated, clients may explore how to live according to their values while allowing emotions to move through their natural course.
Helen integrates these perspectives thoughtfully rather than applying them as a fixed formula. Clients can decide which approaches feel relevant and comfortable within their therapy.
Walk-and-talk and nature therapy
In addition to in-office and telehealth appointments, Helen offers walk-and-talk and nature-based therapy sessions. For some people, moving while talking can make conversation feel more natural and support emotional openness. Being outdoors may also help clients feel more grounded, present, and connected to their surroundings.
Nature-based sessions may include walking, sitting outdoors, noticing sensory experiences, or using the natural environment as a source of reflection. These sessions remain confidential therapy appointments and are planned with attention to privacy, accessibility, weather, and the client’s comfort. Clients do not need to be athletic or experienced outdoors to participate. Our Client Care team can provide more information about availability and what to expect.
Education and professional background
Helen earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master of Special Education from McDaniel College. She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Science from Wesleyan University.
Before joining Nashville Psych full time, Helen served as Middle School Director of Counseling and Resources at the University School of Nashville. Her experience in both educational and clinical settings contributes to her understanding of development, family systems, caregiving, and the challenges faced by adolescents and their families.
Helen is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She is also an advisory board member of the Center for Integrative Learning and Teaching Nashville, a founding board member of Learning Matters, and a member of Mindfulness in Nashville Education. She is licensed to practice clinical social work in Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Maine.
Outside of the office, Helen enjoys being in, on, or near the water, gardening, horseback riding, hiking, and writing songs and music for fun.
Exploring whether Helen may be a good fit
You do not need to know exactly what to say or have a clear plan for therapy before reaching out.
A free phone consultation gives you the opportunity to share what you are looking for, ask questions, and learn more about Helen’s approach. Our Client Care team can help you consider whether Helen or another Nashville Psych therapist may best fit your needs, preferences, and location.
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Frequently asked questions
Who does Helen work with?
Helen works with adults. She supports clients navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, caregiving, adoption-related concerns, phobias, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, and major life transitions.
What is Helen’s therapeutic approach?
Helen uses an integrative approach that draws from psychodynamic, intersubjective, somatic, and contemplative perspectives.
Her work is also influenced by Eastern psychology, integrative mental health, Morita Therapy, EMDR, and nature-based practices. She adapts these approaches according to each client’s needs and preferences.
How much experience does Helen have?
Helen has more than thirty years of experience as a psychotherapist.
Her background includes work with adults, adolescents, couples, families, schools, and clients experiencing a broad range of emotional, relational, and life concerns.
Does Helen provide EMDR?
Yes. Helen is trained in Levels I and II of EMDR and may incorporate it when clients want support processing trauma, distressing memories, phobias, or other difficult experiences.
She works collaboratively to determine whether EMDR is appropriate and approaches trauma processing at a pace that supports readiness and emotional safety.
What are walk-and-talk and nature therapy sessions?
Walk-and-talk sessions take place outdoors while the client and therapist walk together. Nature therapy may also involve sitting outside, attending to the natural environment, or incorporating nature into reflection and emotional processing.
These are professional therapy sessions and are planned with attention to confidentiality, accessibility, weather, and the client’s comfort
Does Helen offer telehealth?
Yes. Helen offers in-person and telehealth appointments.
Because she is licensed in Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Maine, she may provide telehealth to clients physically located in those states. Our Client Care team can confirm availability and eligibility.
What is Morita Therapy?
Morita Therapy is a Japanese psychological approach that emphasizes accepting thoughts and emotions as they arise while continuing to take meaningful action.
Rather than trying to eliminate every uncomfortable feeling before moving forward, clients may learn to make room for their inner experience while choosing actions that reflect their needs and values.
What if I am not sure Helen is the right therapist for me?
That uncertainty is common. A free phone consultation gives you an opportunity to share what you are looking for and ask questions about Helen’s approach.
Our Client Care team can help you consider fit based on your concerns, preferences, goals, location, scheduling needs, and whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy.
How do I get started?
Call (615) 582-2882, email clientcare@nashvillepsych.com, or request a free phone consultation online. Our Client Care team will learn more about what you are looking for and help you explore the best next step.