Christian Zentz, B.S., M.S.

Master’s Level Counselor

Licensure Track: LPC-MHSP, Clinically Supervised by: Valarie L. Thornton, LPC-MHSP-S, NCC (License #2412)

Meet Christian — Warm, Affirming Therapy for Complex Trauma, Neurodiversity & Self-Worth

If you’re looking for a therapist who is warm, affirming, compassionate, and genuinely interested in understanding you as a whole person, Christian may be a great fit. She brings a calming, accepting presence to therapy while helping clients make sense of experiences that can sometimes feel anything but calm or simple.

Christian works with teens and adults navigating complex trauma, low self-esteem, neurodiversity, and difficult life transitions. She understands that sometimes the struggle isn’t simply what happened—it’s what those experiences taught you to believe about yourself, how you learned to cope, and the patterns you developed to get through life.

Maybe you’ve spent years questioning yourself, adapting to everyone around you, or wondering why things that seem easier for other people feel so difficult for you. Perhaps you understand your experiences intellectually but still find yourself repeating patterns you can’t quite change. Or maybe life simply feels hard, “understatement of the century”, as Christian would say, and you want somewhere you can finally explore that without judgment.

Christian helps clients develop greater insight and self-awareness while building a more compassionate understanding of their own humanness. Rather than approaching therapy from the perspective that something is inherently wrong with you, she helps you explore what happened, what you learned, what helped you survive, and what may no longer be serving you now.

Her work is especially informed by her experience with complex trauma and dissociation. Christian began her clinical journey working alongside survivors of sexual assault at the Clarksville Sexual Assault Center before completing her graduate internship with Trauma & Therapy Center of Tennessee. Her experience and continued professional development have strengthened her ability to sit with complexity while remaining warm, grounded, and deeply human.

Christian has completed specialized training in Level 1 and Level 2 Brainspotting, Trauma-Informed Hypnosis, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These approaches allow her to move beyond traditional talk therapy when appropriate and help clients explore emotions, patterns, trauma responses, coping skills, and the deeper impact experiences can have on both mind and body.

At the heart of Christian’s work is a belief that healing happens through compassion and connection:

“You are worthy of compassion, healing, and love. You are exactly where you are meant to be. Therapy is a shared experience where you can gain insight, build self-awareness, and develop new perspectives as you continue through your journey in life.”

One of Christian’s favorite parts of being a therapist is connecting with people from very different backgrounds and discovering just how much of the human experience we share. Beneath different stories are often familiar fears, concerns, needs, and patterns. She hopes clients leave therapy not only understanding themselves more deeply, but also recognizing their inherent worth and feeling less alone in what it means to be human.

Christian works with:

• Adults healing from complex trauma or dissociation who want to better understand themselves, their responses, and the patterns shaped by past experiences

• Neurodivergent individuals navigating the emotional, relational, or everyday challenges that can come with experiencing the world differently

• Teens struggling with adjustment or major changes who need a supportive place to process what they’re experiencing and develop greater confidence

• Individuals struggling with self-esteem or self-worth who are tired of questioning themselves and want to build a more compassionate relationship with who they are

Christian earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences and Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Austin Peay State University. Her continued work at TTCT reflects the same commitment that initially drew her to counseling: helping people navigate uncertainty, understand themselves with greater compassion, and create change that can extend beyond the individual and positively influence relationships, families, and future generations.

Outside the Therapy Room

Christian’s calm therapeutic presence comes with plenty of personality.

She loves sewing and crocheting, giving her a creative outlet that requires patience, attention, and the occasional willingness to undo something and start again. She also enjoys running and is currently working toward a major personal goal: completing her first marathon.

When she isn’t creating something or logging miles, Christian loves movies, and her rewatch list tells you she isn't afraid of an epic commitment. The Lord of the Rings, Dune, and the Alien franchise are among her favorites.

As an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs and an Enneagram 9w1, Christian naturally brings thoughtfulness, empathy, and a desire for understanding into her relationships with others. Her steady nature pairs with a strong sense of values and purpose, creating a therapeutic presence that is gentle without being passive and compassionate without avoiding the harder parts of healing.

Ready to Take the First Step Toward Healing?

You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you need, or have everything figured out before beginning therapy. You can start exactly where you are.

Book a free, confidential 15-minute consultation with Christian to share a little about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and explore whether working together feels like the right fit. Whether you’re navigating complex trauma, neurodiversity, self-worth, or a season of change, Christian offers a compassionate place to feel understood while beginning to make sense of what comes next.