Registration is officially open for the Fall 2023 EFT Externship in Knoxville taking place August 23-26! Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a powerful, attachment-based, model of counseling that is highly effective for couples, families and individuals. A model of therapy developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is considered the gold-standard approach, particularly when working with couples. Rather than being simply educational in nature or teaching couples how to "fight fair," EFT actually helps couples experience long term shifts in their ways of connecting and bonding.

The goal of Grace Counseling Associates providers is to offer space to help individuals, couples and families find healing and connection. We are trained in evidence-based models of counseling, as well as coaching services, and passionate about helping good people live great lives.

We are not meant to live in a state of despair or confusion, yet many of us find ourselves there at times... likely more than once! It can be difficult to know when to reach out for assistance and, even when you feel ready to ask for help, it can be a great challenge to connect with a provider you feel you can trust with your most valued people and connections... your family, your marriage, your child(ren) and yourself. Grace Counseling Associate providers bring evidence-based clinical training and experience, as well as their heart, into session with clients. 

Providers at Grace Counseling Associates share a Christian worldview, as well as share perspectives about the interventions and techniques that lead to long-term, healing and change. Collectively, our desire is to offer space where people can bring their hurts and find compassion, clarity and hope. Where clients can experience what it is like to be held with compassion in a truth-based setting.

GCA providers have, and continually seek, advanced training in leading models and methods of counseling and coaching. We enjoy building relationships with our clients, so that they always have a place to return should they need to find us again in the future. Connecting with providers you trust, especially when it comes to such personal matters within our marriages and our homes, is paramount. Grace Counseling Associates providers keep this top of mind in our work and it shows in the referrals we receive from past and current clients, as well as colleagues. 

For information about our providers and the services they offer, please browse our provider listing for details. Each provider responds to their own inquiries; you will see an inquiry form at the bottom of each provider's page to fill out and submit if you would like to schedule an appointment or simply ask more about their services.

Learn an overview of each provider's services HERE

gracecounselingknoxville.com

Susan Stirewalt specializes in working with children and teens, as well as offering counseling support to parents and caregivers. Susan has the cleanest, most beautifully outfitted play therapy room you have ever seen! Our providers enjoy taking a look in her office every now and then to see what new items she has added to her office.

She comes to Grace Counseling Associates with advanced training in play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma informed interventions. Susan has a true passion for working with children and adolescents, feeling called to this work and making it known that her heart is focused on the well-being of children and families. She has compassion for families who are struggling to connect and find themselves trying to navigate life challenges together.

Susan enjoys working with children and teens to address concerns such as: stress, anxiety, perfectionism, mood regulation and trauma. She also provides counseling to parents who may find it challenging to connect with their children in an effective way or who may find themselves in need of sound guidance as they navigate a life event with their child(ren), such as relocation, loss of job, divorce, military deployment, etc. Susan has extensive experience working with trauma and mood regulation concerns in both children and adolescents. 

Susan is a graduate of the Townsend Institute of Leadership and Counseling at Concordia University. She brings years of experience, as a counselor and as a parent herself, to her work with clients. Susan is currently accepting clients and scheduling for early to mid April.

If you would like to read more about Susan and schedule an appointment for you, your child or your teenager, please check out her provider page HERE:

Susan Stirewalt, MA, LPC/MHSP(t), NCC - Counseling for Children, Teens and Families

We are so excited to serve Knoxville and surrounding areas of East Tennessee in a wonderful, new way! Grace Counseling Associates, PLLC will open for business and be ready to serve clients in our new office on March 6th. 

Grace is an association of independent providers specializing in coaching and counseling for anxiety, stress, trauma and more. We highly value our relationships with clients and are honored to work along side you and your loved ones to navigate emotional challenges in your lives and relationships.

Since each provider has unique training and areas of interest, we invite you to read through our providers pages to see how we may be able to help. Personalized care is at the forefront of our practice and we are passionate about our work.

If you feel one of our providers may be a good fit for you, please use the contact form on their page to inquire about services and schedule your first appointment. We understand how challenging it can be to reach out for assistance and do our best to make it as easy as possible! We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

Thank you!
​Grace Counseling Associates

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One thing that is almost certain to be said in my office at some point is, "I don't get why this is so hard." I have always said I am blessed to have amazing clients and that continues to hold true. The people I work with are smart, driven, compassionate and competent. So, when they find themselves a bit stuck in session it can be confusing for them and their partner.

A couple of months ago I was thinking about goals for myself and wasn't really coming up with anything. I'm not sure why I was even sitting there trying to come up with goals when I didn't have anything in particular in mind prompting me to do so. Maybe because it was shortly after the start of the year and it felt like I was supposed to? I have no idea.

Yesterday was my mom's birthday, she would have turned 72 years old. She was a spunky lady with a heart of gold and a strong spirit like no one I've ever known. Going through the day yesterday at work was hard and I found myself pretty tired at the end of the day. I thought having a normal day would be good for me, to not sit and think about having lost my mom just four months ago.

I'm excited to announce that a colleague, Becca Ubben, has launched her private practice specializing in work with OCD. People tend to use this term casually in reference to people who seem orderly or "particular," even trying to be humorous at times.

EFT Knoxville is excited to share that registration is now open for two upcoming workshops for couples! These will be our last two couples workshop offerings for 2019: