I received my pharmacy degree from Auburn University in 1977 and have been working as a licensed pharmacist for 30 years. I received my M.A. in Counseling from Trevecca University in 2002. I am licensed by the state of Tennessee as a Pharmacist, as a Licensed Professional Counselor (with Mental Health Service Provider designation), and as a National Certified Counselor. I am in the process of obtaining credentials to become a National Certified Master Addiction Counselor.

Since 2000 I have worked in the addiction field specializing in Dual-Diagnosed clients who have a co-occurring addiction with an emotional or psychiatric disorder. I work with adults experiencing addictions, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, bi-polar disorders, and schizophrenia. I also work with other disorders related to trauma and childhood abuse. I utilize my pharmacy background to work closely with other mental health providers, especially psychiatrists in medication management, to help clients gain and maintain optimum emotional/ mental health stability.

I work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I have found that some people benefit from one type of therapy at one point in their journey toward health and they benefit from another type of therapy at other points. I encourage clients to bring family members and/or significant others into the therapeutic process so the changes clients are experiencing are appreciated by these others and can be integrated into relationships. Having people who are important to clients involved in the treatment process can facilitate clients making changes and help clients maintain positive life changes. Nonetheless, my clients themselves remain responsible for the changes they make and the decisions they follow.

I employ a variety of Cognitive-Behavioral techniques and interventions combined with 12-Step Principles where appropriate. I believe in a Holistic approach, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual health. Positive life changes are related to positive changes in behaviors and thought content/ processes. I work with people to identify and analyze areas of dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors so clients can create and refine appropriate changes. The length of therapy varies, depending on the clients’ ages and personalities plus the intensity of symptoms that led to seeking therapy. Some clients, who are in greater turmoil, like to begin therapy fairly intensely, coming more than once a week or coming for longer sessions than usual. Many clients come once a week initially and then come for less frequent sessions as they near the end of therapy.

We all have the power to change. When we change in healthy ways, we can lead rewarding and fulfilling lives based on reaching our potential. People make changes when they feel comfortable with who they are underneath their problems. It is my job to help people recognize their positive patterns, develop new skills, and fine-tune the skills they already possess.

All of my clients are self-paying. I have chosen not to take insurance because insurance companies often try to dictate the therapeutic process based on financial considerations rather than on what my clients really need. Nonetheless, your insurance company might reimburse you for having sessions with me. You can check with your insurance company to determine its policies.

Please call me, Thurston Moore, at 615-298-2329 with further questions or to schedule an appointment. I look forward to hearing from you.