Catherine Cavin, LMSW
Welcome to ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare!
Whether you’ve been in therapy before or you’re seeking therapy for the first time, I know it’s a big decision & I am honored to be considered.
I am a neurodivergent person & therapist experienced in supporting clients with various needs, but especially things such as: autism, ADHD, OCD, ARFID, anxiety, depression, medical trauma & navigating chronic illness.
Specialized Services
About Me
I believe that good therapy is collaborative & not a one-size-fits-all. I strongly value strengths-based care & client education. In therapy I utilize methods such as mindfulness, emotions-focused work, Inference-based CBT (I-CBT), CBT, ACT & more.
My experience has taught me that the best therapy work is done when we go from the bottom up, which leads me to take a more holistic approach to care. This means we will talk about the basics like managing life’s overall stress levels and supporting sensory processing, to make sure we set a good foundation for the deeper work of therapy.
I also strongly value neuroaffirming care. This means I do not require things like eye contact in a session, and I do things such as allow my clients to stim freely, and allow for "secondary activities" such as coloring if it helps a client to feel more engaged/regulated. I am very open to adapting therapy to be supportive of your neurotype's needs.
If you're unsure how you feel about working together, that's completely normal! To ensure I'm the best fit for your needs we'll do a free consultation, over either phone or email, whichever you're most comfortable with.
A bit about my education background: I graduated from Trevecca with my bachelors in social work in 2019, and graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville with my masters in social work in 2021. During my school years I completed multiple internships in various mental health roles such as working for the S.T.A.R.S. Program & Health Connect America. After I finished grad school, I worked at Rogers Behavioral Health for their intensive adult OCD treatment program before transitioning into private practice in early 2022.
A bit about me personally: I have been in middle Tennessee my whole life, with deep family roots on both sides. I live here with my husband & our 2 cats, Juniper & Delilah. My hobbies include watching my favorite sci-fi shows, playing cozy video games, crafting, and writing.
** My background in social work affirms to me that that therapy should be a safe, equitable place for all. I deeply value the well-being & liberation of marginalized people from systems of oppression. I do my best to embody that in my work & maintain practices that help me continually grow as an ally.**
Get in Touch with Catherine for Therapy That's Right for You
Welcoming new clients.
Text: 931-263-8778
My Values
With my undergraduate & graduate degrees being in social work, I am a person who is both well-educated on & passionate about the ethical implications of my work. The core values of the social work profession heavily influences the way I do things, particularly in the following ways:
Dignity & Worth of the Person
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I strongly believe that people are the expert of their own experiences. I am not here to tell anyone how or what to feel. My role is to help connect others with language & frameworks to discuss & process.
Self-Determination
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I welcome feedback, and do my best to regularly check in on how folks are feeling, whether that’s in-session or during a lecture. I always want to know if people have any questions or reflections.
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At every point in the process, my clients have the reigns. If something is too much & they want to pull back, we can & will do so. If a client is unsure about anything or curious why we are doing something in a particular way, I will explain the rationale, give my clinical impressions & let them make the call as to whether or not to continue.
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When it comes to clients experiencing suicidal ideation and/or crisis, I am really passionate about ensuring folks have informed consent about all of their options. I am not one to spring something on you without discussing it with you first, and I prioritize using resources that focus on alternatives to police involvement for mental health crises.
Competence
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I am far from having all the answers & will be up front if I feel someone is asking something I’m not educated on. That being said, I will also try my best to point a person towards educational resources where I believe they can find the right expertise, if possible.
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In terms of working with populations of identities of which I am not a part, I do my best to be educated, informed & aligned with the well-being of all people. It should not have to be a marginalized person’s job to educate others on their oppression. I believe in the liberation of all marginalized people from all systems of oppression and I do my best to create a safe space.