Virtual Therapy and Counseling for Women Across Tennessee
As a Vanderbilt University graduate who lived and worked in Tennessee for nine years, I am proud to offer online counseling and teletherapy to women across the state. Whether you're in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, or anywhere in between, I can help you navigate anxiety, work stress, chronic illness, a cancer diagnosis, or simply the weight of everyday life, all from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
Therapy That Meets You Where You Are, As You Are
Virtual therapy with Aligned Counseling means no commute, no waiting room, and no long drive across town. Just open your laptop or phone and show up exactly as you are, wherever you are in Tennessee. Online counseling is just as effective as in-person therapy, and for many women, the privacy and convenience of teletherapy makes it easier to actually get started.
What Can Therapy Work Through?
You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Virtual counseling can help with:
Nervous system dysregulation
Depression and mood concerns
Chronic illness and health-related stress
Cancer support, as a patient or as someone loving a patient
Work stress and burnout, including healthcare and music industry professionals
Life transitions and self-discovery
Simply wanting to understand yourself and the world a little better
If you've been wondering whether what you're feeling is "enough" to warrant therapy, it is. You do not need to struggle to “earn” support.
Who I Work With
I work exclusively with women, and I bring specialized experience to a few communities that are often underserved when it comes to mental health support:
Healthcare providers and mental health professionals: Therapists, counselors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
People in the music industry: Musicians, songwriters, vocalists, producers, and business professionals.
People living with cancer and those loving them: I have specialized experience supporting both patients and caregivers through that experience.
Don’t see yourself in this list? No worries. I have experience working with clients from different backgrounds and experiences.
Counseling Unconditionally
As counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers serving clients in Tennessee, we affirm that we do not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity and we will not use our own sincerely held principles as a reason to turn clients away.
Learn more about this pledge at The Tennessee Equality Project
Meet Deanna Candeloro
I moved to Nashville for graduate school at Vanderbilt University, where I earned my M.Ed. in Counseling and completed my licensure training. Before that, I spent years working in the music business, an experience that makes me uniquely qualified to help clients with the pressures, lifestyle, and emotional landscape of the entertainment world. The music scene ultimately led me to counseling and to a deep understanding of the people who make that world run. Though I am currently living in Delaware, my roots are anchored deeply in TN, the people who live there, and the communities that make it thrive.
What to Expect from Virtual Therapy
Every client and every journey looks different. But here is what you can always count on from Aligned Counseling:
A warm, judgment-free space to explore your feelings at your own pace
Evidence-based tools including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness practices
A client-centered approach built on self-compassion
Ongoing support to help you align your actions with your values
Resources and tools to build your own support system outside of sessions
I don’t believe therapy is about “fixing” you, but about helping you hear yourself more clearly and accept yourself more fully.
Fees and Scheduling
I do not currently accept insurance plans in Tennessee, which means I am considered an out-of-network provider. However, I am happy to provide you with a superbill after each session (a detailed receipt you can submit directly to your insurance plan for potential out-of-network reimbursement). If desired, I can also check your out-of-network benefits for you.
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Intake Session: $225 (60–75 minutes)
Individual Session: $165 (50–55 minutes)
Payments are self-pay and accepted at the time of service.
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I believe cost should never be the reason someone goes without support. Because of that, I offer a sliding scale fee for clients who qualify.
I am also a proud member of Open Path Collective {link → openpathcollective.org}, a network that connects clients with affordable therapy options. If you're unsure whether you qualify, just ask. We can figure it out together.
How to Get Started
Recognizing your need for support is often the hardest part. You’re already here, so the next step is reaching out for a free consultation. Here's what the process looks like at Aligned Counseling:
01
Schedule a Free Consultation
I offer a free 30-minute consultation before we commit to working together. It's a chance for you to ask questions, get a feel for my approach, and make sure we're the right fit.
02
Complete Your Intake Session
In our 60-75 minute Intake Session, we'll cover your history, your goals, and what you're hoping to get from therapy.
03
Begin Individual Counseling
From there, based on your needs and schedule, we'll begin to meet for 50 to 55-minute sessions, moving at a pace that works for you.
Online Therapy FAQ
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Online therapy works pretty much exactly like in-person therapy, except without the traffic, expensive gas, and extra time needed in your schedule.
When it’s time for your session, you’ll login to the private portal to ensure privacy during our call. During the session, you’ll have an opportunity to share without judgement or shame, as well as explore CBT strategies, mindfulness, and helpful resources for making meaningful changes to your life and habits. The best part? It happens right from your favorite spot on the couch. And yes, you can even wear your pajamas!
Still not sure if therapy is right for you? Read my blog post, Therapy: Fact vs Fiction, to break through some of the myths that may be holding you back from feeling better!
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Yes! The National Center for Health Research shared one of many studies that concludes that “online therapy can be effective at treating anxiety, depression, and trauma.” While both online therapy and in-person sessions have their own drawbacks and benefits, the effectiveness of sessions remains the same. Many of my clients actually prefer virtual sessions. Why?
Online therapy reduces the time needed by eliminating the drive to and from
Clients feel more comfortable sharing their feelings when they are in comfortable surroundings, like their own bedroom or office
It’s often easier to share hard feelings through a screen than person-to-person
It is much more accessible to clients with chronic illness, weakened immune systems, and mobility challenges.
If you’re interested in learning more about the pros and cons of teletherapy, I encourage you to read this article by Psychology.org and decide which option is best for you.
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If you’re asking that question, chances are therapy could be beneficial to you. In fact, I believe therapy could have beneficial results for all people. But if you’re curious about if now is the right to time to start talking with a licensed therapist, here are a few true and false statements that may help you:
I generally feel unsatisfied with my life.
I find it hard to let go of shame, guilt, or disappointment.
I feel lonely and withdrawn from my community.
Many days, I feel more hopeless than hopeful.
I sometimes think I’m addicted to social media or AI chat bots.
I navigate change and redirection with fear and resistance.
My usual coping strategies are not working anymore.
My sleep, eating, and resting habits are struggling to recharge me.
I have a lot of thoughts and emotions that I need help sorting through.
I often wish I had someone to talk to about my feelings.
I am actively seeking a new path forward with new ways to feel better.
If you answered “true” to 5 or more of these statements, therapy could be a great option for you, bringing you more peace, self-awareness, and acceptance.
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I don’t believe that we are inherently bad, broken, or flawed. Being a human means being messy and unfinished. We have the ability to evolve, change, grow, and learn, which is part of the magic of being alive. Because of that belief, I don’t view therapy as something to “fix you,” but as a way to help you better understand yourself, hear your own voice, and learn to embrace all the parts of you.
That is why my sessions are designed to help you feel better about being you in this world. Not some perfectly curated, people-pleasing version of you. Life is taught already, and it’s even more challenging to navigate with the stressors and anxiety of major life transitions, chronic illness, and even just the mere state of the world.
My approach is rooted in human connection, self-compassion, radical acceptance and self-forgiveness, and evidence-based methods that meet you where you are and where you’re going.
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The world is changing faster than any of us can keep up with. So it is no surprise that many people are turning to ChatGPT, Claude, and Pilot for answers in many areas of their life. However, with growing environmental concerns, limited regulations, copyright infringements, and increasing cases of AI psychosis, as a licensed therapist, I highly suggest not using chat bots for personal therapy.
If you are dedicated to using LLMs for support, there are a few harm-reduced items that you may find helpful:
Use AI to generate journal prompts
Use it to create worksheets or reflection tools
Ask for meditation or breathwork scripts
For the full list of Do’s and Dont’s, check out my blog, ChatGPT Wellness Trends.
Wherever you are in Tennessee and wherever you are in your story, you don't have to figure this out alone.
I'm here when you're ready.