-Peter W. Coleman, MS, LMFT, CP-ATP

“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.” -Anais Nin per Talmudic origin. “Understanding at times may accompany change. But it is not a necessary prerequisite for change, and may in many cases constitute an absolute obstacle to it. Bringing things to speech is what is essential.” -Bruce Fink, Against Understanding, Vol 1. PSYCHOTHERAPY INTRODUCTION “Two people, a Patient and Psychoanalyst, meet at set times each week; the Patient is free to say whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, the Psychoanalyst might act as a catalyst, speaking in order to help the Patient who is silent and blocked; or might also clarify, underline something striking, and then interpret what has been said or done. Interpretation here means to draw out later meanings. The Patient perhaps agrees or disagrees, moves off tangent, adding detail, feeling moved and well understood, or positively annoyed. He or she makes use of an interpretation or not. They talk and listen to each other, or sometimes fail to. Through these encounters, an unusual opportunity exists to explore the workings of the Patient’s mind, and to bring about change.” -"Psychoanalysis: A Very Short Introduction" We must create things twice; once in our minds, and once articulated. When we think our thoughts, it lights up one part of the brain, and when we speak our thoughts, it lights up a different part of the brain. There is often something very different that occurs when we articulate our thoughts, and they change. Talking out these experiences in a narrative way assists us in making sense of how we feel about those experiences. The Idea Behind "Working Through Therapy": Freud presented a model of analysis (directed to the Analyst position) called "Remembering, Repeating (or Recreating), Working Through". "The patient, instead of remembering the past situation will act it out unconsciously in a compulsive way, by repeating the past repetitively instead of remembering it. The compulsion to repeat is actually an act of transference. The essence of transference is repeating the past unconsciously. The resistance and phobias of the past are also transferred and played out as a resistance in the present treatment, preventing the analysis from progressing. The acting out defends against the memorization, which means, the more acting out the less remembering can take place, and vice versa is also true, the more remembrance the less compulsive behavior." At this time, insurances accepted include Aetna, Allegiance, Ambetter, Amerigroup, Anthem, Beacon Health, BCBS, Cigna, Humana, Optum, Priority Health, TennCare, TRICARE East, UHC/Optum. Please be aware that you will be responsible for any insurance copays and deductibles). It would be of benefit to you to contact your insurance prior to our work to ascertain if they recognize me on your plan. I offer both in office and virtual at this time. Please note, however, I hold licenses in both Tennessee and Alabama, so I am able to see someone virtually only if they are physically located in the states of which I am licensed at the time of session. If sessions are in my office, it matters not where one resides. Clinical Experiences I am currently providing counseling/therapy services in Chattanooga, TN as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My scope of practice includes individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as therapy for couples and families. In addition to private practice, I have worked as a clinician in an in-home setting for children and adolescents and their respective families, in a hospital setting in a geriatric unit, an outpatient setting for children and adolescents, several outpatient settings for adults, and as a clinician and administrated in a college family therapy clinic. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, holding current licenses in Tennessee (982) and Alabama (351), practicing since 2008. I utilize an eclectic variation of modalities in which I have been trained, preferring Bowenian, internal family systems, emotionally focused, logic based, cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing and solution focused, and dialectical behavior. Additionally, I am participating in ongoing Lacanian Orientation Psychoanalysis discourse. And I am in the process of obtaining Gottman certification. I am also a Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider (CP-ATP), having completed year long training w/ Integrative Psychiatry Institute in Boulder, CO (July'22-July'23). I also completed Psychoanalysis/Psychotherapy training with William Alanson White Institute of New York City of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychotherapy training (focus on Psychoanalysis). In the past, I have worked with anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, PTSD, phase of life transitions, self-worth, sexuality, substance abuse and addiction/recovery, relationship issues, divorce, and family issues, in addition to various other issues. Beyond my professional career, I am married and a Father to five children (ages ranging 30 to 11), which occupies a lot of my time outside of work. In my own self-care, I am physically active and participate in running, swimming, biking, tennis, and SCUBA diving activities. If you want to schedule an appointment, click on “Request Appointment” or call 423-631-5923 and I can schedule at your earliest convenience. The quickest way to get scheduled is to either create your profile online OR text me 1) Name, 2) Cell Phone Number, 3) Email to 423-631-5923 and I will forward initial paperwork via email and give you access to the Client Portal. PLEASE NOTE: I apologize ahead of time if there are delays in responding, as it is just me. Download the Client Portal App (green w/ butterfly image) in your cell phone's App Store. -Peter Coleman, MS, LMFT, CP-ATP 951 Eastgate Loop Building 5700 Suite 100 Chattanooga, TN 37411 423-631-5923 (O) 423-296-6515 (F) petercoleman.lmft@gmail.com CRISIS HOTLINE: 800-704-2651