Rebecca Pearce, PsyD

Connection has always been a human challenge—long before the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” captured the image of “wearing the face that she keeps in the jar by the door.” Even now, many of us move through our days with a kind of mask in place—sometimes without even realizing it.

We shape how we show up in the world—at work, in relationships, even within our own families. At the same time, there’s pressure to be “authentic,” as if that should come easily. It doesn’t. Most of us carry different parts of ourselves—some grounded and true, others shaped by expectation, anxiety, or the need to belong.

So we find ourselves wondering: What is really me? What am I still growing into?

And for those who are caring for others—partners, parents, children—the questions often shift: Where am I in all of this? What parts of me have been set aside?

Is it possible to care deeply for others and still remain connected to yourself? And is it okay that the answer changes from day to day?

These layers often serve a purpose—they help us protect ourselves, navigate relationships, and feel accepted. But over time, they can also leave us feeling disconnected, unsure, or alone in ways that are hard to name.

My work in counseling and therapy is to help people gently reconnect—starting with themselves. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, feeling disconnected in your relationships, or simply wanting a stronger sense of self, this is a place to slow down and listen inward.

From there, something begins to shift. With greater self-understanding and self-compassion, it becomes easier to move through the world with more clarity, more steadiness, and a deeper sense of authenticity.

Whether you’re navigating a difficult season or feeling ready to reconnect with your own strength and direction, therapy can offer a meaningful place to begin.

I work in the arena of relationships. This includes the relationship you have with yourself—especially when it’s shaped by experiences such as:

• depression

• anxiety (worry or panic)

• traumatic experiences

• binge or overeating patterns, and body image concerns

It also includes relationships with others, particularly when they’ve been disrupted by loss—through:

• death

• divorce

• estrangement

• a break-up

• relocation

• church wounds or a shifting understanding of God

• changes in identity that lead to a loss of community

And sometimes, disconnection happens more quietly. In the process of caring for someone else, you may begin to lose touch with yourself. This can happen when supporting someone through:

• chronic illness

• a life-threatening condition, such as cancer or an eating disorder

• a terminal illness, including dementia

• complex conditions such as addiction

In these situations, it can be difficult to know when necessary and appropriate caregiving begins to edge into codependency. And even when it doesn’t, the emotional and physical impact of caregiving can be significant. And even when it doesn’t, the physical & emotional impact of caregiving is well documented.

When we meet, there is a natural rhythm between quiet reflection, listening, shared observations, and sometimes laughing at life’s ironies.

Together, we explore how you understand your lived experience—your day-to-day reality, how you think about it, how you feel it, and what you notice in your body. Over time, this builds a deeper awareness of yourself: your patterns, your choices, and your capacity to respond with greater clarity and resilience.

The work is grounded in gentleness and respect, with space for curiosity—and a good sense of humor along the way.

I primarily work with adult women, though I do work with a small number of men.  Sessions are by appointment only, Monday through Friday.

Telebehavioral health - How do we meet?

When it is time for our session, please sign into the website, below.

• tissues

• comfortable seating

• tea or water, mints or gum

• a comfortable space for your pet

• blanket

• stress ball

• an image of someone or something that evokes calm or protection

about me

Education and Background: 

Psy.D., Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA

Psychologist, TN License # P0000002067

EMDR Level II

Board Certified Telehealth Professional Level I

Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) Certification

Certificate in Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health Rush University Medical Center

My training includes family systems, Gestalt, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic therapy, and I’ve continued to build on that foundation over time—integrating mindfulness, EMDR, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

In practice, I’m less focused on applying a particular model and more interested in understanding how things fit together for you—your thoughts, your emotions, your relationships, and the ways your experiences have shaped you. From there, we begin to make sense of things together and find ways of responding that feel more steady, more intentional, and more like you. 

Professional Associations

• 2023 Historian, 2014 Co-Chair, 2000 Treasurer: Nashville Psychotherapy Institute (NPI)

• Founding Member: Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee (now RenewED)

• National Register of Health Service Psychologists (National Register)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA)

curriculum vitae

For a complete listing of my previous academic and work experience, please check my LinkedIn account.

What I’m reading

• Why Putting Phones Down Isn’t Enough (this is also why AI isn’t therapy)

• Learning Your Caregiving Season Isn’t Temporary (Now What?)

• Notes from a Therapist’s Chair

Raised in Southern California (where summer nights were punctuated by the sound of Disney fireworks), I moved to Tennessee for my pre-doctoral internship over two decades ago. In coming here, I discovered the difference between real BBQ and a cookout, the wonder of warm rain, the beauty of fall color, and the life-altering revelation of warm woolen socks.

Outside of the office, I enjoy traveling with my husband and photography (including the photos on this website). I also like to bake—partly for the creativity and generosity it allows, and partly for the inevitable, and often hilarious, mishaps.

At times, my sweet cat Maura used to make a quiet appearance during teletherapy sessions, often settling nearby or briefly on camera. She remained a steady presence until her little body gave out. I remain grateful for the depth of connection we shared—and for what loving her taught me about care, devotion, and the difficulty of letting go.

These days, a bright white cat named Fiona may occasionally show up—briefly and without concern for timing.

My pronouns are she/hers

In-person services may be available* on

• Monday afternoons

• Wednesday (all day)

• Friday (all day)

*I will request that we pivot to a virtual appointment if either of us have symptoms of a cold, flu, sinus infection, covid, strep throat, etc. etc.

I offer teletherapy only, on

• Monday mornings

• Tuesday (all day)

• Thursday afternoons (some mornings)