About Me
Welcome to Your New Chapter of Healing and Growth!
I’m Esther Chelladurai, a Licensed Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC-II). I am dedicated to providing compassionate, affordable counseling to those ready to embrace healing and personal growth.
A Journey of Dedication and Service
My career began with an internship at Cumberland Heights Inpatient Treatment Center while pursuing my graduate studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an addiction specialization at Lipscomb University. This experience reinforced my passion for helping individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders. Later, at Mental Health Cooperative, I played a key role in pioneering the therapy component of a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic, where I managed a caseload of nearly 150 clients battling opioid addiction during the pandemic in Nashville and Murfreesboro. I integrated therapeutic approaches, mentored new team members, and streamlined practices to ensure the best care possible.
Expanding Expertise to Serve You Better
My time at the Papillion Center for FASD deepened my expertise in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) principles for families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and therapeutic techniques for children, teens, and adults dealing with ADHD and personality disorders. Advanced training in Brainspotting has allowed me to work effectively with trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, and grief, helping clients overcome emotional challenges with powerful results.
At TN Mental Wellness, I focused on addressing identity issues and life transitions for teenagers and young adults, achieving extraordinary outcomes. I also had the privilege of working with TeamHealth, serving nursing facilities across Middle Tennessee. This role deepened my understanding of dementia, Alzheimer's, the physiological impacts of trauma, prolonged grief, and substance abuse, enabling me to offer comprehensive support to patients in both short- and long-term care. It's truly incredible when life brings you full circle, allowing you to serve individuals of all ages!
Opening My Own Practice
In late 2024, I opened my private practice with a clear mission: to provide affordable, compassionate counseling services to individuals and families in the community. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where clients can heal, grow, and become the best versions of themselves.
Are You Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you are navigating addiction, trauma, ADHD, mental health struggles, life transitions, or family challenges, I’m here to support and guide you. Together, we can create lasting, positive change, helping you move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.
My Approach
As a therapist, I follow a multi-modal integrated approach, which means I draw upon a variety of evidence-based therapies to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each client. This approach allows me to address emotional, cognitive, and behavioral challenges from different angles, ensuring a holistic and personalized path to healing. Some of the key modalities I integrate include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This widely recognized approach helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, replacing them with healthier, more realistic patterns of thinking. CBT is especially effective in treating anxiety, depression, and various mood disorders. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): A form of CBT, DBT is particularly useful for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or suicidal ideation. It emphasizes mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Reality Therapy (RT): This approach focuses on helping individuals take responsibility for their choices and behavior, encouraging them to focus on the present and make decisions that align with their values and goals. RT is particularly effective in addressing issues like relationship problems, addiction, and self-esteem struggles. Brainspotting: This trauma-focused therapy helps clients access and process unresolved trauma stored in the brain. Brainspotting is particularly effective for those who have experienced deeply entrenched emotional pain or traumatic experiences. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Combining cognitive therapy with mindfulness strategies, MBCT helps clients become more aware of their thoughts and feelings in the present moment. It’s highly effective for preventing relapse in depression and managing stress and anxiety. Motivational Interviewing (MI): This client-centered approach focuses on enhancing intrinsic motivation to change. MI is helpful in addressing ambivalence and encouraging clients to make positive decisions, especially when dealing with addiction or behavioral change. 12-Step Facilitation: Drawing from the principles of 12-Step programs, this modality supports individuals struggling with addiction or compulsive behaviors. It fosters connection, accountability, and spiritual growth as part of the recovery process. By blending these modalities, I can offer a tailored, flexible approach that meets clients where they are in their journey, helping them develop the tools, insights, and resilience they need to move forward. Whether you’re seeking emotional healing, behavioral change, or spiritual growth, this integrated method ensures that therapy is both comprehensive and effective. Also, I effectively incorporate concepts from IFS for grief/loss counseling. TBRI principles for Parent- child counseling.
