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Alex Derry

Alex Derry, LMFT

alexderry@rivertreecenter.com

Alex provides a place for individuals, couples, and families to engage their stories, explore their hearts, and begin to live the life they long for again. His practice is grounded in the Spiritual Root System™ and informed by the work of Irvin Yalom, Dan Allender, and Chip Dodd. His approach is influenced by Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), narrative therapy, psychodynamic theories, and existential philosophy. 

Alex works with people who have experienced life’s heartache and long to find life more fulfilling. He interweaves the IFS (Internal Family Systems) approach with his EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) training to heal trauma and reduce anxiety/ depression. He works with couples to find a common language, allowing for a deeper conversation, healing in areas of relational woundedness, and a more connected relationship. 

Alex’s background is in business and he loves a good excel spreadsheet. He worked for several years in business before transitioning to ministry. However, after several years of working in ministry, Alex found himself burnout, depressed, and seeking counseling. Through the hope and healing he found, he realized his desire to offer to others what was given to him. After completing graduate school, he started his counseling career at Sage Hill in 2014. Five years later, Alex joined (what is now) River Tree and serves as Executive Director and Co-Owner. Alex’s personal mission is to live life fully in relationship with himself, his family and friends, and God, and to help others do the same.

He lives in Murfreesboro TN with his wife, Meredith, his daughter, Norah Jane and his son, Ford.

Concentrations

Codependency
Trauma
Men’s Issues
Anxiety
Depression
Addiction
Spiritual Issues Self Worth Issues Grief

Education

BBA Business Marketing, Belmont University

Masters Marriage and Family Therapy, Trevecca Nazarene University

Training & Certifications

Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, TN LMFT Lic# 1293,  EMDR Trained  Internal Family System Informed Therapist Member of the American Association of Marital and Family Therapists (AAMFT)

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The Basics

I was born in San Diego, California but I’ve lived most of my life in Middle Tennessee. TN is home.

While I am currently without pets, I grew up always having 2 dogs and 2 cats. My favorite breeds are Golden Retrievers and Saint Bernards. I have always loved animals.

Thoughtful, Quiet, Loyal, Compassionate, Easy-going

About Your Practice

I decided to become a therapist because of the way counseling transformed my own life. In my pursuit of a full life, I longed to share the gift I found with others.

The primary influencers in my work as a counselor are – Irvin Yalom, Dan Allender, Chip Dodd, and Stephen James. Most recently IFS and EMDR therapy has greatly influenced my work.

I operate from the belief that we are created as emotional and spiritual beings, and made for relationship with ourselves, others, and God.

Favorites

While my music tastes are quite diverse, 90s country is the sound of home and I always find my way back there—preferably on a back road with the windows down.

Much to my wife’s delight, we rarely miss new Hallmark movies. While they’re sometimes laughably cheesy, I love that life’s not tragic on Hallmark.

I love to read—almost anything. I love fantasy and science fiction. I love memoirs and historical fiction. I love a good self-help/motivation book. I love a good business book. 

I love to ride my bicycle. When I found cycling (thank you, Peloton) it changed my life. I love the freedom and feeling of flying out on the road. I am also an aspiring tri-athlete. 

My favorite place to visit is a quiet beach with a good book.

Just For Fun

My first job was working construction with my Dad. During my childhood summers, I would often go to work with him.

My most treasured physical possession is my book collection. I am Amazon’s ideal customer. If I like a book I’m reading on my kindle/audible (and often both) account, I will also buy the physical book for my bookshelves.

I love food and I love to cook. First, if friends were coming over, everything would be made from scratch. My ideal meal would probably be something Italian.

I love hobbies. My wife often jokes that I need to pick just one. I love Bonsai and have a collection I care for in my garden. I love to backpack and spend long times out of doors in the mountains. I love to ride my bicycle and go for runs. I love to sit quietly and read. I love to play guitar and piano. 

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