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.
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Masters Level Intern
Blake Roberts
"I'm honored to walk alongside clients as they discover who they're made to be, get unstuck, and heal their relationship wounds."
Blake spent about half of his life in Kentucky and the other half in Illinois before moving to Nashville 5 years ago. He completed his undergrad at Lindsey Wilson College, where he also played football. Blake is passionate about creating a safe place for others to work through the challenges and joys that life brings. He believes engaging our stories in an honest way helps us heal and improve our relationship with ourselves, others, and God.
As a counselor, he hopes to be that of a guide or a wounded healer - walking alongside his clients as they discover who they're made to be, get unstuck, and heal the wounds in their relationship to self and others. He enjoys working with couples and individuals who are ready to take the courageous step seek counseling. Blake is married to his wife Shelly and enjoys watching/playing sports, is an avid podcast listener, lover of good music and vacationing in a cabin in the mountains and enjoying nature in the cooler months of the year.
Areas of Focus
Anxiety/Depression
Men’s Issues
Couples Counseling
Engagement/Marriage Counseling
Family/Relational Issues
Trauma/Childhood Wounds
Addiction/Recovery
Codependency
"Imposter Syndrome"/Identity Issues
Blake uses a blended approach incorporating Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative, Somatic, and Attachment Based-Therapy.
Education
Current Student of Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s program
Trevecca University
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Bachelor's Degree
Lindsey Wilson College
Megan French
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Masters Level Intern
"Sharing with my client's in this space that seems so defeating, and helping them dig in to find hope. That's what energizes me, that moment of courage!"
Before pursuing her career in counseling, Megan spent the majority of her time abroad, exploring new cultures and meeting people from all over the world while gaining love, understanding, and respect for those with various backgrounds. Her time overseas and in different cultures has significantly contributed to her desire to work with all who seek counseling and support, regardless of their backgrounds or belief systems. As a military family, living in Germany and Hawaii at different times, she understands the challenges that can come from being in a military family. She and her husband and daughter returned to the Nashville area to settle in closer to family.
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Megan is passionate about learning how growth happens within the mind, body, and spirit. Her focus is on understanding how thoughts influence behaviors while encouraging those she works with to seek compassion and grace for themselves and those around them.
Areas of Focus
Individual Counseling
Couples Counseling
Divorce Recovery
Family Counseling
Stress Management & Solution Finding
Trauma/Crisis
Anxiety/Depression
Women's Issues
Parenting Support
Depression/Anxiety
Trauma
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Addiction & Family Members of those in Recovery
Military/First Responders & their Family
Education
Current Student of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Program
University of West Alabama
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Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Lauren Lowery
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Masters Level Intern
"Helping individuals begin their journey to personal growth and greater mental health is an exciting adventure I get to be a part of!"
Lauren is a Chattanooga, TN native. She moved to Nashville in 2016 after college and found her passion for mental health while teaching at an alternative school where most students had a history of severe trauma. She found a tremendous amount of personal growth and healing in her own journey with therapy, and hopes to be a guiding light for others who are ready to face their struggles. She believes the key to change is building self-awareness about your own behaviors, patterns, and relationship with others.
As each individual is unique, Lauren believes that no two therapy processes are the same. She primarily utilizes an attachment-based lens, understanding that the way we attach as children plays a direct role in how we attach to others around us as adults. She hopes to help clients understand themselves in the context of a larger system.
She has also found the enneagram to be an incredible tool to building self-awareness and incorporates that into the therapeutic process with her clients.
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Outside of school both as teacher and student, she enjoys live music, podcasts, and scary movies with her dog, Cal. Lauren enjoys warm weather, time on the lake with friends in the summer, and is excited to have the opportunity to aid in the process of supporting those who are ready to grow in their own mental health!
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Areas of Focus
Individual Counseling
Couples Counseling
Engagement/Marriage Counseling
Family Counseling
Parenting Support
Adolescents & Emerging Adults
Family of Origin Issues
Depression/Anxiety
Women's Issues
Trauma/Crisis
Education
Current Student of Marriage & Family Therapy
Trevecca University
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Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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