Makenzie Parks, LCSW

welcome, i’m glad you’re here

As a therapist, my work is grounded in the deep belief that healing happens in connection. My approach emphasizes the importance of safe, secure relationships—both with others and within ourselves—as the foundation for growth and change. Oftentimes my clients come to therapy knowing they need to make a change in their relationships or behavior, but feeling unsure where to start or what change might look like. My role is not to judge or direct, but to walk alongside you—offering insight, support, and gentle challenge as we explore the patterns that shape your relationships, emotions, and sense of self. Together, we’ll explore how your past informs your present, identify relational patterns that no longer serve you, and build the emotional tools needed for greater clarity, connection, and self-trust.

Clients often describe me as warm, compassionate, and deeply present. I strive to create a therapeutic space where you can bring your full, authentic self—including the parts that feel messy, confusing, or difficult to share. I believe that your imperfections are not problems to fix, but important pieces of your story to understand with curiosity and care. 

 Whether you're navigating relationship struggles, attachment wounds, life transitions, perfectionism, or reshaping your identity, I’m here to hold space for your process with empathy and intention.  

clinical experience:

I spent much of my career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where I had the privilege of supporting medical professionals as they navigated the complex balance of caring for others while also tending to their own well-being. I also bring extensive experience working with individuals living with chronic illness, helping them manage the emotional impact and setting boundaries to protect their health.

My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and various somatic practices. These frameworks allow me to help clients uncover and shift underlying patterns, deepen self-compassion, and reconnect with their most authentic selves.

specialties:

While I work with a wide range of concerns, you and I may be a particularly good fit if you're looking to explore the impact of harmful messaging from your family of origin or religious community, if you're seeking to show up more authentically in your relationships, or if you struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or the persistent feeling that you're never quite “enough.” 

I have a deep appreciation for working with queer clients, those in the midst of religious deconstruction, and individuals navigating the complexities of divorce. These are often tender, identity-shaping experiences, and it’s a privilege to support clients as they move through them with greater clarity, self-trust, and compassion.

Say hello or inquire below:

areas of focus:

• Relationship issues and attachment

• Divorce

• Perfectionism

• Life transitions

• Religious Trauma & Deconstruction

• LGBTQ+ affirming

• Self-Esteem

• Anxiety