Tonya Wacker , LPC, LPCC

Tonya Wacker is a licensed counselor based in Tennessee with 14 years of clinical experience supporting people facing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and major life changes. She holds LPC and LPCC credentials - Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - which are state qualifications for providing mental health counseling. Tonya combines a compassionate, collaborative manner with evidence-informed techniques to help clients rediscover strengths and develop practical coping strategies.

Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns including LGBT issues, relationship and intimacy challenges, self-esteem, trauma and abuse, addictions, parenting and family dynamics, grief, stress, bipolar disorder, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and aspects of sexual diversity such as BDSM and kink. She also works with issues related to gender dysphoria, isolation and loneliness, abandonment, and midlife transitions. Tonya draws on client-centered therapy alongside cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches, existential ideas, and mindfulness to shape individualized treatment plans.

Known for an eclectic, creative, and thoughtful style, she partners with people to clarify goals, process difficult histories, and build resilience for a more hopeful future. Services are offered in English, she is open to working with international clients when available, and she is not accepting new clients at this time.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Tonya Wacker

Tonya often uses client-centered therapy, which emphasizes listening, empathy, and supporting each person to discover their own strengths and values; this approach is helpful for people seeking a respectful, nonjudgmental space to explore identity and life goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another common tool in her work - it focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers structured strategies for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially useful for intense emotions and relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Tonya works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors methods so treatment fits the individual rather than forcing a single model on everyone. This partnership helps clients feel engaged in their own care.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it possible to fit therapy into busy schedules, manage care from different locations, and stay connected between sessions when needed. Licensed professionals can adapt these formats to provide consistent, goal-oriented support that aligns with each person’s life and needs.