Graduate Interns
We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and teaming up with a counselor you trust to work through life's challenges.
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.
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.
Julianne Peace
Masters Level Intern
"There's no "should" or "should not" when it comes to having feelings. They're part of who we are and their origins are beyond our control. When we can believe that, we may find it easier to make constructive choices about what to do with those feelings."
-Fred Rogers
Julianne is a Nashville native that grew up listening to vocabulary CDs in the car with her well-dressed mother. Thus, a love of storytelling and pencil skirts was born. As time passed, her love of storytelling morphed into an understanding and appreciation for individuals’ stories. Through her personal and professional counseling work, Julianne has formed a passion for assisting people to process their stories and create more hopeful future chapters.
As a counselor, she hopes to assist clients in understanding their emotions and develop a fuller sense of their whole self. She also believes while an individual sense of self is important, understanding how that self connects with those around it is vital to mental and emotional health. Ultimately, she is motivated by working with her clients to empower their individual goals and make positive changes in their lives, families, and circumstances, made possible with a whole lot of empathy, compassion, and grace. She constantly hopes to provide a safe space for people's hurts and hang-ups. Outside of the counseling room, she enjoys a good Chai latte and the magic of East Tennessee.
Areas of Focus
Grief & Loss
Depression/Anxiety
Women's Issues
Shame & Discontentment
Codependency
Adolescents & Emerging Adults
Media Trauma
Long-term & Chronic Illness Issues
Family of Origin Issues
Engagement/Marriage Counseling
Family Counseling
Parenting Support
Education
Current Student of Clinical Mental Health
Trevecca University
Bachelor’s Degree
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Rebekah Bragan
Masters Level Intern
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
-Epictetus
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” -Thomas Edison
Everybody is dealing with hurts, habits, and hangups. When it keeps you from living your best life and being your best self, taking the first step to get unstuck is sometimes the hardest. Life experience, personal crises, and various roles have given Rebekah a vast base from which to pull to help maximize your God-given potential, overcome challenges, and celebrate the joys of life. Using a blended approach that is as unique as each individual’s story, she utilizes several therapy models and techniques to help one achieve their goals. Offering compassion, lots of grace, and a listening ear, she strives to provide a safe place where change and growth can happen.
Rebekah and her husband, both from Durham, NC (Go DUKE!), have been married for over 33 years and have four children. Together they have ministered for over 26 years in several southeastern states and WY, settling near family in TN, along with their Bearded Dragon, Beans. Her favorite things are being Mimi, outside walks, a good book, and coffee talks; she is an accomplished pianist and piano instructor, and two-time cancer survivor. Her greatest challenge and joy is balancing her current roles of ministry wife, mom, Mimi, graduate student, piano teacher, and parent-caregiver. Her passion is to come alongside those who are hurting, and help them navigate life, and find healing and emotional health.
Areas of Focus
Pre-Marriage & Marriage Counseling
Family Counseling
Women's Issues
Parenting Support
Ministry Families
Depression & Anxiety
Grief & Loss
Crisis & Trauma
Life Transitions & Adjustment
Chronic Health Issues
Certified SYMBIS Facilitator
Education
Current Student of Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s program
Liberty University
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Christian Counseling
Liberty University
Lillian Eastham
Masters Level Intern
Lillian grew up in Kentucky before moving to Nashville for graduate school. She received her undergraduate degree in journalism at Western Kentucky University. She has worked in several different places, from Spain to Disney World, and worked in a variety of fields The one thing that remained steady throughout all of them was her love of connecting with people.
Like many people, when the pandemic hit, Lillian began to reevaluate her path in life and decided to leave marketing to pursue a career in counseling. She is passionate about helping others walk through different transitions and phases in life, all while having compassion for themselves and understanding the impact of the systems around them.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books and listening to podcasts.
Areas of Focus
Depression/Anxiety
Women’s Issues
Adolescents and Emerging Adults
Family of Origin Issues
Engagement/Marriage Counseling
Relationship Issues
Life Skills/Issues
Self Esteem
Identity Crisis
Sexual Issues/Trauma
Body Image/Disordered Eating
Education
Current Student of Marriage and Family Therapy
Trevecca University
Bachelor’s Degree
Western Kentucky University
Amy Young
Masters Level Intern
“In the well of her soul she has this grace-filled hope: even in the slower seasons she is still going to grow.”
-Morgan Harper Nichols
Amy grew up in a small town just outside of Nashville and quickly found her passion for words through movie quotes and song lyrics. With this passion for words came a passion for hearing others’ stories and helping others to reach their full potential and see the best in themselves. Through dealing with personal and family of origin struggles, Amy developed a deep sense of empathy and understanding which she brings into the counseling relationship with every client. Amy believes that we each have our own perspective of the world around us and our biology and environment play a part in creating who we are. Amy works from an eclectic counseling approach, believing that each client is unique and should be treated as such. Holding space for our clients is one of Amy’s top priorities along with creating a safe, collaborative relationship in which clients feel comfortable and in control of their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Outside of the counseling world, Amy enjoys any good, or bad, horror movie as well as finding new songs to add to her endless playlists. Amy is a dog mom to a handsome Dachshund-Pit Bull mix named Dom, whose hobbies include napping under the blankets and giving his mom endless kisses.
Areas of Focus
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
Depression & Anxiety
Adolescents and Emerging Adults
Women’s Issues
Trauma & Crisis
Grief & Loss
Family of Origin Issues
Relationship Issues
Life Transition & Adjustment
Life Skills/Social Support
Domestic Violence Survivors
Education
Current Student of Clinical Mental Health Professional Counseling
Middle Tennessee State University
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Middle Tennessee State University