What I’m doing other than therapy this spring

Written By Karen Chambless, LPC-MHSP

Because I generally find people fascinating, Chattanooga still operates like a small town in many ways, and I am passionate about offering services and education to folks outside of the therapy room, I’m hosting or attending multiple local events this spring adjacent to my work in some way! Check them out below:

Connection, Coworking, & Coffee events: March, April, May, possible June date

I’m hosting a few introvert-friendly “networking” events for licensed therapists this spring at the very cool coworking space my office is in, Society of Work. There will be structured & guided time for connection with each other then time to cross stuff off our to-do lists. I work in a coworking space and have seen how it can supercharge productivity to be in a light-filled, interesting space with other folks getting work done. It’s body doubling! And the free unlimited coffee and tea doesn’t hurt! Every therapist I know has emails to answer and tasks they’ve been avoiding (including me). If you’re a licensed local therapist reading this and would like to join, email me! 

Creative Mornings Chattanooga

I had a fantastic time attending the March meeting of our local chapter of Creative Mornings. It’s a monthly meeting with free coffee and “a worthwhile 20-minute talk … featuring the Scenic City’s most inspiring creatives.” I met some awesome local professionals from all kinds of professions, and will definitely be attending future meetings! 

Local Peer Consult & Networking Group

I’ll be joining local therapists at this consultation and networking group in March, hosted by my colleague Anna McCurdy. Consulting and connecting is one of the main ways therapists keep from burning out. 

Chattery Classes

I love teaching and am excited to offer some classes with The Chattery, our local women-owned nonprofit invested in offering education of all kinds to local folks at accessible price points. My April 1 class is a one-hour overview of understanding sensory processing sensitivity, or being a Highly Sensitive Person, and how to accommodate our sensory needs so we can thrive. We'll also cover some of the overlaps with Autism, ADHD, and AuDHD.

I’m also working on a TBD class overviewing religious harm.

Chattery classes are NOT therapy or a clinical offering, so are open to any and all who are interested in learning! To learn more or register, visit their website.


Continuing Education Presentations

On April 8, I'm teaching a 1-hr lunchtime CE for therapists (NBCC approved) on understanding religious harm, in partnership with Woven Bone Somatics. This virtual presentation will be trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming, and neurodivergent-friendly. This will be an overview but still have specific clinical applications. In the Bible Belt, I believe this should be required education for mental health providers! If you’d like to register, click here.

Landing Co-Op Networking Event

I’m excited to visit my friend Kelly’s practice at The Landing Co-operative for their networking and open house event in April! I’m a strong believer in the idea that private practice therapists can and should lift each other up and support each other because there are more than enough clients to go around and all clients deserve to find the best therapist for them. 

Queering Event at Joli Jardin

Meg Miller of Dusk Therapy and I will be bringing back our popular presentation from last year, “Queering as a Practice.” Joli Jardin, a local floral shop, is hosting us again. We’ll talk about queering your nervous system, queering your relationship with your sexuality, and queering your relationships with others. There will be a low registration cost for logistical planning.

Affirming Therapist Meet-Up & Fair 

Meg Miller of Dusk Therapy and I will be hosting a two part event for pride month in June. The first part will be structured networking for LGBTQIA+ identifying and allied therapists, and the second part will be a free-to-the-public fair where folks can walk around and meet the therapists. For more information or to register, click here.

Autistic Pride Day Chattanooga

Angela Kirk of Lotus Mental Health and I have a vendor table at the first-ever Autistic Pride Day in Chattanooga! The event will be hosted at our downtown library. Autistic Pride Chattanooga’s mission is to “Amplify, Center, and Empower Autistic Voices—not only in conversations about autism, but in every conversation where humanity, justice, and imagination belong.” 

Karen Chambless, LPC-MHSP

Karen Chambless is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Tennessee with Mental Health Service Provider (MHSP) designation. This means she has completed a masters degree in counseling from an accredited school, completed over 500 hours of training and clinical work while in school, passed two national examinations and a state exam, and practiced for over two years under supervision by an already licensed counselor, accruing at least 3,000 hours of experience and 150 hours of supervision. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Karen has been practicing therapy for 5 years, but spent the first 25+ years of her life as a quintessential eldest daughter and the “mom friend” of her friend group, so she’s had a long time to hone her listening and supportive-question-asking skills.

Karen Chambless is an expert and clinical specialist in religious trauma. She has advanced training and experience in treating both complex trauma and religious trauma, as well as training and experience working with folks figuring out their queer/trans identity and/or neurotype (Autism, ADHD, Highly Sensitive, etc). Karen identifies as Queer & Highly Sensitive and is passionate about supporting folks with LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities to grow and heal and be their whole magical selves.

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How to find a LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist in Tennessee