Dr. Richard Highland, LPC-MHSP, LPC

Dr. Richard Highland draws on 27 years of clinical experience to support people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, and depression. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider and also holds an LPC credential. He works from a strengths perspective, helping people notice what already helps them and build on those abilities.

He sees seeking help as a courageous step and focuses on practical, doable change. Sessions aim to clarify goals, identify small steps, and practice new ways of coping. The work is collaborative - the client’s experience guides priorities while the therapist offers tools and direction.

In session he uses straightforward methods that tend to focus on thinking patterns, present-moment awareness, and motivation for change. That can include looking at unhelpful thoughts, learning calming practices, and tapping into reasons for making healthier choices. He also offers shorter-term, solution-focused work when people want a plan and quick progress.

Richard has experience across a wide range of concerns including relationship strain, self-esteem, trauma and abuse, LGBT issues, and life transitions. He also addresses related topics such as caregiver stress, aging and geriatric challenges, cancer-related concerns, and substance use issues.

He practices in Tennessee and conducts sessions in English. To begin, a short matching questionnaire is used to pair people and then scheduling follows according to the therapist’s availability.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Dr. Highland commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing during sessions. CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and helps people try different ways of thinking and acting to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Motivational Interviewing focuses on what matters to a person and helps increase their own motivation to change behaviors, which can be helpful for addictions and ambivalence.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, past attempts, and preferences, then suggest techniques to try. Together they decide what feels most useful and adjust the plan as progress is made.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session formats when you book. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also supports consistent weekly work and the use of practical tools between sessions to reinforce change.