Sydney Brayer, A-LPC/MHSP
Associate Counselor under supervision
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Sydney Brayer, A-LPC/MHSP
I’m Sydney, and my pronouns are she/her. I show up in the therapy room with warmth, curiosity, and a deep belief in each person’s capacity for healing and growth. My approach is relational, attachment-focused, and affirming. I love helping clients explore the patterns, emotions, and experiences that have shaped their lives with compassion rather than judgment. Together, we’ll create a space where all parts of you are welcome and where you can explore yourself with compassion, deepen your self-understanding, and move toward the life and relationships you want for yourself.
My Therapeutic Approach is:
RELATIONAL & ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED
I believe healing happens in the context of safe, authentic relationships. Together, we will explore how your past experiences, attachment patterns, and relationships have shaped the way you see yourself, others, and the world around you.
EXPERIENTIAL & CREATIVE
While insight is important, meaningful change often requires more than simply understanding our patterns. I enjoy incorporating experiential and creative approaches that help clients connect more deeply with their emotions, values, relationships, and inner experiences.
AFFIRMING & AUTHENTIC
I am committed to creating a warm, affirming, and non-judgmental space where all parts of you are welcome. I value authenticity, inclusivity, and honoring the unique identities, experiences, strengths, and challenges each person brings into the room.
COLLABORATIVE & GROWTH-ORIENTED
I view therapy as a collaborative process built on trust, curiosity, and connection. I bring warmth and compassion into the room, but I am also willing to gently challenge you when patterns no longer serve you.
Areas I Support Clients With
- Trauma and emotional healing
- Depression, anxiety, and OCD
- ADHD and neurodivergence
- Addiction, recovery, and healing from substance use disorders
- Attachment wounds and relationship patterns
- Identity exploration and life transitions
- Religious trauma and spiritual deconstruction
- LGBTQIA+ affirming care
Education & Trainings
MASTER’S LEVEL CLINICIAN
Currently accruing supervised clinical hours toward Tennessee professional counselor licensure
MASTER OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Western Governors University
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Internship completed at Recovery Unplugged
- Provided individual and group therapy in an inpatient detoxification and residential substance use treatment setting
CLINICAL TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Ongoing training in trauma-focused work like EMDR, and ketamine assisted psychotherapy
- Ongoing training in attachment-based, experiential, trauma-informed, and somatic therapies, including future specialization in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Continuous training grounded in culturally sensitive, affirming care
How I Show Up as a Therapist
One of the greatest privileges of being a therapist is getting to witness people rediscover themselves. I believe that every person makes sense within the context of their life. Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with you?” I find it much more helpful to ask, “What is your story?” and “How has this pattern helped you survive?” Many of the struggles we experience are not signs that something is wrong with us—they are often creative ways our minds and bodies learned to adapt. Together, we can honor those adaptations while creating space for new ways of living that feel more aligned with the life you want.
My work is rooted in attachment theory and influenced by Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and person-centered therapy. I also enjoy incorporating experiential and creative interventions because I believe lasting change happens through experience, not just insight. Depending on what feels right for you, we may use visualization, metaphor, mindfulness, parts work, creative exercises, or simply notice what is happening in the room together as we explore your story.
Something that’s deeply important to me is creating a space where you don’t have to earn belonging. Whoever you are, however you identify, and whatever experiences have shaped you, you are welcome here. You can expect me to show up as a real human. I bring warmth, curiosity, humor, and authenticity into the therapy room, and I deeply value creating a relationship where you feel safe enough to be fully yourself, whoever that may be. I also believe therapy should be an active process. I won’t simply nod along—I will gently challenge you, ask thoughtful questions, and encourage you to explore the places that feel uncomfortable because those moments often hold the greatest opportunities for growth. We’ll likely laugh together, and there may be tears too. Both belong here.
Whether you’re navigating trauma, recovery, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, relationship struggles, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, my hope is that therapy becomes a place where you feel seen, accepted, and empowered to create meaningful change. I want our time together to be as valuable for you as it is for me, and I consider it an incredible honor to walk alongside people as they evolve into the fullest, most authentic versions of themselves. I am so looking forward to hearing your story.
Interested in Working Together?
If you’re feeling ready to begin therapy or simply have questions, I’d love to connect. You’re welcome to schedule an appointment or reach out to see if working together feels like the right fit.