Graduate Interns
We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and teaming up with a counselor you trust to work through life's challenges.
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At Matters of the Heart, we are also a teaching site. We offer an opportunity for carefully selected graduate students to apply the rigorous course work and education to the test real time with client's who are ready for change! By working with our graduate interns, we offer you a discounted rate that is compatible with most "co-payments" so that you can begin your journey into greater mental, emotional, and relational health.
All graduate interns are directly supervised by Joanna Dixon, their school advisor, and have completed their masters level course work. This allows you to benefit from the experience of seasoned therapists as we guide our students through the work they do.
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Please, do not let finances be a barrier to beginning your journey. If you have any concerns, questions, or would like to be considered for a scholarship opportunity, please email us.
Kristin Clark
Masters Level Intern
Grace University
Kristin is a Nashville native and loves her city and the people that make it home. Growing up in Gallatin, Kristin graduated from Volunteer State Community College and Belmont University, where she began a lifelong love of learning and growing. She is now a graduate student at Grace College and is opening the next chapter of her life to supporting others.
Parenting during the pandemic was a challenge, and from that space grew Kristin’s desire to focus on the mental health needs of our society. With growing daughters, it was time to represent courage and drive by returning to graduate school and putting her passion for working. Uniquely created, Kristin’s diverse family gives her a viewpoint on culture and race in a refreshing way, and she is passionate about connecting where you are from with where you are going. With a strong desire to serve, Kristin is focused on behavioral growth and goal setting to improve the quality of life of her clients, engaging in activities to become and remain present in the beauty of their existence.
When Kristin isn’t working with clients, you will find her cooking and filling the plates and hearts of those around her, hanging out with her family, and laughing as much as possible.
Areas of Focus
Depression/Anxiety
Grief/Life Adjustments
Women’s Issues
Infertility Support
Parenting Skills
Adoption Related Stress
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Education
Current Student of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Grace College
Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies
Belmont University
“I now see that owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” -Brene Brown
Hendersonville
Intern Rates
60 min therapy session $60
90 min couples intake $90
Katherine Ruttenbur
Masters Level Intern
Lindsey Wilson University
Gallatin & Virtual
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” Carl Rogers
Katherine is a Gallatin native with generational roots dating back hundreds of years in the Gallatin area. Katherine has a love for her community and is so thrilled to be a part of Matters of the Heart's Gallatin location. Katherine has spent the last year working with children and is passionate about at-risk youth and children in need.
Growing up, Katherine aspired to be a teacher but became fascinated with mental health and passionate about helping others. Katherine studied psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is pursuing graduate school at Lindsey Wilson College.
Katherine enjoys being with people from all walks of life and building trustworthy relationships with others. Katherine will support whatever journey you are on in your life. She enjoys reading mystery novels, cuddling her cat, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Areas of Focus
Depression/Anxiety
Individual Counseling
Children & Adolescents
Life Transitions & Adjustments
Stress Management
Education
Current Student of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lindsey Wilson College
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Lydia Woods
Masters Level Intern
Trevecca University
Goodlettsville & Virtual
“Feelings are not impulses that need to be controlled; they are tools that allow us to live truthfully and move responsibly. They are good because they allow us to process life experiences.”
- Chip Dodd, The Voice of the Heart
Lydia grew up in Jackson, TN and moved to Nashville to pursue her master’s degree in Mental
Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. Since high school, Lydia has worked toward a career in a helping profession and while attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she found her passion of counseling through a work-study program for their psychology department.
Lydia values honesty, connection, and relationship with others and is passionate about supporting and strengthening others to live fully. She desires to create an accepting, encouraging, and safe space for others to explore their story and wants to walk alongside them as they navigate an ever-changing life. Lydia believes that one of the most important aspects of counseling is the client/therapist relationship, and she strives to build a trusting and compassionate connection with her clients.
Apart from her passion for counseling, Lydia loves to read historical fiction, enjoys spending time with her family, and is always eager to try a new restaurant.
Areas of Focus
Addiction
Codependency
Faith-Based Counseling
Stress Management
Anxiety/Depression
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Current Student of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Trevecca Nazarene University
Bethany Mackey
Masters Level Intern
Northcentral University
“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are” Max Depree
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Bethany is an Atlanta native who relocated to Nashville nearly 25 years ago. Through her own counseling journey, she found herself waiting for the right moment to go back to school and the pandemic revealed that there is no time like the present to pursue her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Northcentral University.
Humans are wired for connection, and Bethany creates a safe and welcoming space to explore the patterns of the past and how they may be affecting the present. Bethany values authenticity and desires to empower others to show up for themselves, play to their strengths and create the life they want. Each of our stories matter and we are all worthy of being seen and understood. It takes courage for anyone to step out onto a new path and Bethany wants to meet you wherever you are in your journey.
Bethany loves to spend time with her daughters, cooking and spending time with friends and going on adventures big and small!
Areas of Focus
Life Transitions
Couples & Relationship
Anxiety, Depression & Stress Management
Family Dynamics
Grief & Loss
Women's Issues
Addiction
Trauma & Recovery
Education
Current Student of Marriage & Family Therapy
Northcentral University
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Bachelors Degree
Georgia Southern University