Kim Dale, M.A.

I obtained my Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and History.  In 2003, I earned my Master’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Counseling.  I am licensed by the State of Tennessee as a Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider designation. 

After receiving my Master’s degree I did an internship at the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter and at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute (Belmont Campus for children and adolescents).  After completing my internships, I worked at Meharry Medical College with clients who were dealing with depression, physical and/or sexual abuse, drug addiction, bipolar mood swings, schizophrenia, and HIV/AIDS.  More recently, I have been a family therapist working with families experiencing difficulty with parenting issues, adjustment issues and parent-child relations.

Currently, I primarily work with adults who are having difficulty in various areas.  I like to work with parents on parenting issues; I find that many parents are worried about how their children are doing and benefit from having an opportunity to discuss alternative approaches to children’s issues or adolescents’ pushing limits.  Some of my clients struggle with decision making, wishing for things to be different in their lives, but now knowing how to make the changes they want to make.  I work with some people who have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse (past or present).  People who have been abused usually blame themselves for the abuse rather than realizing that abusers are responsible for their own behavior.  When people work through the shame and distress created by their abuse, they worry less about their limitations and discover how to enjoy their strengths.  I also work with people who have chronic illnesses or with family members of people with chronic illnesses to help them cope with their feelings and issues.  Chronic illnesses raise issues of fairness in the world, adjusting to symptoms that won’t go away, and rearranging priorities. 

The therapeutic method I use primarily is cognitive-behavioral, although I use other methods and techniques based on the need of the individual client.  I like the cognitive-behavioral approach because it gives clients the opportunity to recognize and understand where they are so they can choose to change what they want to change and they can appreciate the characteristics they don’t want to change.   

My philosophical belief is this is your journey.  I will meet you where you are on your path.  My goal as a therapist is to help you determine where you are and where you want to be.  My job is to help you get where you want to be while providing a safe place for you to express your thoughts, feelings, and hopes during your journey.      

I’d love to help you change your life.  Call me, Kim Dale, at:

298-2329 to discuss your situation or to schedule an appointment.