We were lucky to catch up with Alice Stricklin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alice thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

One significant experience I had was in my Family Systems class, taught by Carol Webb at Trevecca Nazarene University. As part of a group project, we conducted mock therapy sessions with a “family” that included children. After each of us had taken a turn, we observed Professor Webb working with the role-play family. What struck me most was how impactful the experience was—not just for us, but for the doctoral students playing the roles. Even though they were pretending to be someone else, the systems model was so powerful that they experienced personal growth through the exercise. That moment showed me just how transformative this approach could be.

During my internship, I worked with families facing heartbreaking situations, including abuse and complex trauma. The weight of those cases was intense, but I was fortunate to have an incredibly supportive supervisor, agency director, and colleagues. They checked in on me often, offered suggestions, and provided me with resources and books to deepen my understanding. I never felt alone. Their willingness to step into dark, painful, and scary spaces with me empowered me to do the same for my clients. I learned that my role wasn’t just to guide people out of their struggles—it was to sit with them in the pain, letting them know they weren’t alone. This became the foundation of everything I do.

Alice, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I spent nine years working in nonprofit community mental health agencies—an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I gained invaluable knowledge, built lasting friendships, and grew immensely as a professional.

However, as my children grew, I needed to be closer to home. With few local job opportunities available, I took a leap and started my private practice in 2016, operating out of my church. My initial goal was simply to serve my community while maintaining a balanced life.

By 2019, demand had exceeded what I could handle alone. As my children became more independent, I reached out to Trevecca’s counseling department to take on a practicum student.
This wasn’t new to me—I had previously helped develop an internship program at a nonprofit counseling center while serving as its clinical director.
When COVID hit, the demand for mental health services skyrocketed. To meet the growing need, I began recruiting contract counselors and additional practicum students to serve Lebanon and the surrounding counties.

Three core principles guide my practice:

Affordability and Accessibility – I strive to provide high-quality mental health services to those who might otherwise struggle to access care.

Filling Gaps in Care – Our office specializes in working with children, teens, families, couples, and trauma survivors—populations that have historically been underserved in our area.

Community Collaboration – We actively partner with churches, nonprofits, small businesses, and grassroots organizations to provide mental health education and referral services.

We are based in Lebanon, TN, one of the fastest-growing cities in the state and the country. While the population has surged since 2020, the demand for mental health services continues to outpace availability.

Our office specializes in trauma and systemic therapy. We work with children, teens, families, couples, and individuals, always through a trauma-informed lens. We also have four post-master’s and licensed counselors trained in EMDR therapy, specializing in complex trauma and anxiety disorders. Additionally, we currently have two interns and one incoming practicum student trained in EMDR therapy.
What sets us apart is our specialization in trauma-informed, systemic therapy. We focus on children, teens, families, and couples while integrating EMDR therapy for trauma recovery. Strong community partnerships allow us to provide services in nontraditional settings as well.

I am deeply passionate about helping individuals and families grow together through healing relationships, trauma recovery, and learning how to connect with themselves, others, and God. One way we foster these connections is through community partnerships. We collaborate with organizations like Compassionate Hands Ministry to bring trauma-informed care to underserved populations, such as Lebanon’s unhoused community. We also support local churches and nonprofits by providing trauma-informed care models, mental health education, and self-care practices. Additionally, I have the privilege of teaching EMDR, trauma-informed care, and systemic therapy models to clinicians worldwide.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

One of the greatest gifts I have received is mentorship. I have been incredibly fortunate to have generous mentors who poured into me, often before I even realized I needed it. These individuals shared their time, expertise, and experiences, affirming me, holding me accountable, and equipping me with invaluable resources. Their generosity saved me time and effort, allowing me to grow without having to figure everything out on my own.

I did not get here alone—I couldn’t have. I have a network of mentors cheering me on, supporting me, and continuing to offer guidance. To honor them, I strive to be the same for others. I try to be as generous with my time, knowledge, and resources as those before me were with me.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn—and continue to unlearn—is that I cannot want something more for someone than they want it for themselves.

I have a tendency to see potential in people and projects. My personality pushes me to give my all until success is achieved. Over the years, I’ve worked with individuals who set goals and expressed a desire to achieve them. Naturally, I offered all the support I could to help them succeed.
However, I learned the hard way that sometimes, I wanted success for them more than they wanted it for themselves. When that imbalance occurred, I found myself working harder than they were. And when things didn’t progress as hoped, it felt as if the responsibility fell on me.

Now, I approach goal-setting conversations differently. Instead of jumping in full force, I focus on helping individuals establish their own action plans—identifying what they need to do to accomplish their goals. Then, we discuss how I can support them in meeting their own objectives. This shift in perspective has been essential in maintaining healthy professional and personal relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alicestricklin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicestricklincounseling
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alice-Stricklin-Counseling-730798550705138/?view_public_for=730798550705138
• Youtube: @alicestricklin6873