Dr. Mark Simpson is a Nashville-based clinical psychologist who works with adults, teens, and couples. With more than thirty years of experience, he brings depth, flexibility, and an active, engaged presence to therapy.
Mark understands that effective therapy depends on more than a particular method. Clients need to feel comfortable, respected, and able to trust the person they are working with. He approaches each client without judgment and adapts the work to fit their needs, goals, personality, and preferred way of learning.
Some clients come to Mark looking for practical strategies and direct feedback. Others want to better understand the experiences and patterns beneath what they are feeling. Often, therapy includes both.
Schedule a Free Phone Consultation
How Mark works
Mark uses an integrative approach that draws from several evidence-based and insight-oriented therapies. Depending on the client, his work may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed care, and Interpersonal Therapy.
This flexibility allows therapy to develop around what is most useful to the person rather than following one fixed model.
Therapy with Mark may include identifying unhelpful thought or behavior patterns, developing practical ways to respond differently, exploring how earlier experiences continue to affect the present, or considering how relationships influence emotional wellbeing.
His work may help clients:
- Understand recurring emotional and relationship patterns
- Develop practical tools for anxiety, depression, or panic
- Respond to difficult thoughts with greater flexibility
- Improve self-esteem and confidence
- Navigate change, uncertainty, and adjustment
- Manage anger and intense emotional reactions
- Process trauma and painful past experiences
- Strengthen communication and problem-solving skills
- Move toward goals with greater clarity and intention
Mark’s work is also neurologically informed. He considers how brain processes, the nervous system, learning, and past experiences can influence thoughts, emotions, habits, and behavior.
Areas of focus
Mark works with clients navigating:
- Anxiety, panic, and related concerns
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Codependency
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Anger and emotional dysregulation
- Trauma-related concerns
- Personality and behavioral concerns
- Substance use
- Relationship difficulties
- Sports and performance concerns
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 Mark or another Nashville Psych therapist may be the best fit.
Couples therapy
Mark works with couples experiencing conflict, communication difficulties, emotional disconnection, breaches of trust, or recurring problems they have not been able to resolve on their own.
His couples work draws heavily from Relational Life Therapy and the Gottman Method. These approaches help couples understand the patterns that keep them stuck while developing clearer communication, greater accountability, and more effective ways of repairing hurt.
Mark takes an active role in couples therapy. He helps partners name what is happening in the relationship, recognize the impact of their behavior, and practice responding differently.
His work with couples may support partners in:
- Improving communication
- Understanding recurring cycles of conflict
- Rebuilding trust
- Strengthening emotional and physical intimacy
- Developing healthier boundaries
- Taking responsibility without becoming overwhelmed by blame
- Repairing after hurt or disconnection
- Solving problems more collaboratively
Mark is certified in Relational Life Therapy, an approach that emphasizes honesty, accountability, and meaningful change within relationships.
Learn More About Couples Therapy
Hypnosis and mindfulness
Mark may incorporate clinical hypnosis and mindfulness-based techniques, particularly when working with anxiety, panic, stress, or other concerns that involve strong physical and emotional reactions. Clinical hypnosis is not a loss of awareness or control. It is a collaborative process that may help clients focus their attention, become more receptive to helpful perspectives, and work with thoughts, sensations, or habits in a different way. Clients remain aware and involved throughout the process, and hypnosis is always optional.
Mindfulness practices may also help clients notice thoughts and emotions without reacting automatically. Mark adapts these techniques to the individual rather than assuming one type of exercise will work for everyone.
Sports and performance psychology
Mark has a particular interest in sports and performance psychology. He works with teens and adults who want to strengthen focus, confidence, emotional regulation, and performance under pressure. His clients may include athletes, musicians, performers, and others whose work requires them to manage anxiety, expectations, and self-doubt while performing at a high level.
Performance-focused therapy may help clients:
- Manage performance anxiety
- Recover after mistakes or setbacks
- Strengthen concentration and confidence
- Respond more effectively to pressure
- Reduce perfectionism and fear of failure
- Develop sustainable motivation
- Balance performance goals with overall wellbeing
Mark considers both the practical demands of performance and the emotional patterns that may influence how someone prepares, competes, performs, or responds to success and disappointment.
Substance use and behavioral health
Mark has extensive professional experience related to substance use disorders. His interest in this area led him to present at conferences sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, serve on scientific panels reviewing federally funded research, and participate in the Governor’s Opiate Task Force.
In therapy, Mark considers substance use within the broader context of a person’s emotions, relationships, coping patterns, history, and environment. He works without judgment and helps clients better understand the role substances may be playing in their lives.
Education and professional background
Mark earned both his PhD and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. Throughout his career, he has worked with adults, adolescents, couples, and individuals experiencing a broad range of emotional, behavioral, relational, and performance concerns.
His professional involvement in substance use research and policy has included presenting at National Institute on Drug Abuse-sponsored conferences, serving on scientific review panels, and contributing to the Governor’s Opiate Task Force.
Mark is licensed as a psychologist in Tennessee. Through PSYPACT, he may also provide telehealth services to eligible clients in participating states. Current PSYPACT states include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. As state participation and eligibility requirements can change, our Client Care team can confirm whether telehealth is available in your location.
Outside of the office, Mark enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, grilling, and reading or listening to podcasts about psychology and history.
Exploring whether Mark may be a good fit
You do not need to know exactly what to say or decide in advance which therapeutic approach you need.
A free phone consultation gives you an opportunity to share what you are looking for, ask questions, and learn more about Mark’s style. Our Client Care team can help you consider whether individual therapy, couples therapy, performance-focused work, or another Nashville Psych service may best fit your needs.
Schedule a Free Phone Consultation
Frequently asked questions
Who does Mark work with?
Mark works with adults, teens, and couples.
He supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, panic, trauma, anger, substance use, relationship concerns, life transitions, self-esteem difficulties, and sports or performance-related concerns.
What is Mark’s therapeutic approach?
Mark uses an integrative approach tailored to each client.
His work may draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed care, and Interpersonal Therapy. He also incorporates mindfulness, hypnosis, and neurologically informed perspectives when appropriate.
Is Mark an active or more reflective therapist?
Mark can provide both active guidance and space for reflection.
He often offers feedback, practical strategies, and direct support while also helping clients understand the deeper emotional or relational patterns influencing their experiences. The balance depends on the client’s needs and preferences.
Does Mark work with couples?
Yes. Mark works with couples experiencing communication problems, conflict, disconnection, trust concerns, and other relationship difficulties.
He draws heavily from Relational Life Therapy and the Gottman Method and takes an active role in helping couples recognize and change unhelpful patterns.
What is Relational Life Therapy?
Relational Life Therapy is a couples therapy approach that emphasizes honesty, accountability, and direct attention to the behaviors and patterns affecting a relationship.
The goal is not simply to improve communication in the moment, but to help partners create lasting changes in how they relate to one another.
Does Mark use hypnosis?
Yes. Mark may use clinical hypnosis, particularly when working with anxiety-related concerns.
Clinical hypnosis is collaborative, clients remain aware and in control, and participation is always optional. Mark can answer questions and discuss whether it may be appropriate before using it in therapy.
Does Mark work with athletes and performers?
Yes. Mark has a particular interest in sports and performance psychology.
He works with athletes, musicians, and others who want to manage performance anxiety, strengthen focus and confidence, respond to pressure, and pursue goals in a healthier and more sustainable way.
Does Mark offer telehealth?
Yes. Mark offers in-person appointments in Nashville and may provide telehealth to eligible clients through PSYPACT.
Our Client Care team can confirm whether he is able to provide services in your state.
What if I am not sure Mark 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 Mark’s approach.
Our Client Care team can help you consider fit based on your concerns, goals, preferences, 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.