Reviews of Dr. Kathryn Perkel, PsyD (Psychologist)

Joshua Samples

Dr. Karthryn Perkel has been absolutely crucial to the betterment of my well being. Her continued patience and understanding have been very much appreciated and such a huge relief. I love her approach and the style of her practice, it's very welcoming and safe. During our sessions, she's very attentive and actively listens to what I have to say and her feedback is very thoughtful and nuanced. She has also been very receptive and encouraging, I have been her patient for some time now and I can say without a doubt that she has helped me through so many of my issues.

Carmella Cole

In the last nine months, Dr. Perkel has guided me through the process of healing old wounds and peeling back the layers of anxious thought patterns in a nurturing therapeutic relationship. I feel safe opening up to her, and I like her down-to-earth and "real" way of interacting with clients that is refreshing in how it feels like talking to a friend, but with wisdom and professionalism. I recommend her wholeheartedly!

Shawn Margolis

I have been in therapy for more than half of my life, on and off for at least 30 years. I have been seeing Dr. Perkel for approximately 8 months on a biweekly basis. I have NEVER made as much progress understanding myself and my triggers as I have in the last 8 months. My growth seems to me to be something just short of a miracle. I cannot begin to express the degree to which she has helped me. Maybe the timing was right, or I was due, or my meds are at just the right combination, or I'm older and wiser ... or maybe Dr. Perkel is just that good. And caring. And insightful. And encouraging. Couldn't be more grateful that my PCP recommended Dr. Perkel.

Brandon Taylor

WORST THERAPIST EVER!!!! If I could give 0 stars, I would! She should have her license revoked and should be reported to the State Insurance Commission, the licensing board, and the Dept. of health and human services. She is a disgrace to the Mental Health Care Profession. First of all, she is very rigid, uptight, and pretentious. She is very proud of her PHD, and insists on being called “Dr. Perkel”. She clearly thinks very highly of herself, and that she is so much better than everyone else. If she was half as important as she though she was, one would really be in the presence of greatness.....NOT!!! After seeing her for several months, I actually became worse. Working with a therapist is supposed to be a partnership, a collaboration. It should not be just the patient doing everything on his or her own. And, when progress is not made, she will turn it around on you, insisting that you are not trying, and that it’s your own fault that you have not made progress or mprovements. By the time a person finally decides to go see a therapist, usually he or she has endured so much pain and trauma that it has affected their ability to function in everyday life. In order to become a Mental Health Professional, it is imperative to have empathy and compassion. Clearly, Kathryn does not. Just because you have a degree does not qualify you to possibly ever begin to understand or relate to the depths of the pain and suffering another individual is and has gone through. I have since found help through other true, sincere, and genuine Mental Health Professionals who have applied a much more beneficial and helpful milieu of practical and proven modalities of treatments. It is very clear that Kathryn is only in this profession for the “status” that she perceives comes from being a “mental health provider”, as well as the money. She could care less about your pain, suffering, and struggles. She is clearly NOT qualified to help anyone. My advice for her is to get over yourself. You’re not near as important, or knowledgeable for that matter, as you think you are!! Kathryn, I came to you very sick and scared. Hurting in ways that you could never begin to understand or relate to. And what did you do?? You dismissed me. You dismissed me in such a way that made me feel incapable of improvement unless I conformed to a rigid set of rules that you thought I must abide by in order to get better. (Now I know better). You made me feel like I was neurotic. That I wasn’t trying to get better. That it was all my fault!! Is that your method of healing??? Nobody deserves to be treated that way, Kathryn...NOBODY!! I don’t know where you “Doctors” lose your compassion, but you lose it. Maybe if this were taught as a required skill in order to earn a PHD that would be more helpful than anything else you could have learned. Your patients need compassion, they need to be heard!! You know, one of these days, Kathryn, the shoe is going to be on the other foot. Perhaps you or a family member will struggle with Mental Illness. And when that day comes, Kathryn, as angry as I am and will always be at the way you treated me, I still wish you a better “Doctor” than you were to me!!!!!

Anonymous

I have been a client for almost 2 years and found a warm and supportive space for learning to manage longstanding anxieties arising in childhood. The client must heal him or herself, with the therapist as guide and witness. This means work and honest self-reflection in and outside of sessions. It also means patience with the process and willingness to admit to and overcome resistance. I have found Dr. Perkel to be creative, flexible, and inspired in sessions and to pose apt questions that lead me deeper within for new angles and answers. I deeply appreciate that my anxiety has never been pathologized, but rather viewed as an aspect of an inborn sensitive nature that can be redirected for growth and healing.

Greta Ireland-Klumb

I am thankful to have found her! She is kind and thoughtful, she brings new perspective, and challenges me to do the work to heal old wounds that are causing challenges for me currently. Unlike most therapists, she treats the cause rather than merely help to manage symptoms. Her care, empathy, and dedication is noticed and appreciated.

Amanda Kirchner

Ive been seeing Kathryn since I moved to TN 3 years ago. She has such a lovely soul and compassionate heart, I always feel so comforted and fulfilled after each session. She has taught me numerous coping techniques and given me new perspective in uncomfortable situations. Best psychologist Ive ever had.

Valerie Sulfridge

I saw Kathryn for a period of nine months. Consistently she held the space for me professionally and empathetically. She has a lovely office space that always made me feel warm and safe. She is completely non-judgmental and over the course of the nine months I always felt comfortable being completely transparent with her. I felt her advocacy and support for me whole heartedly. I got what I needed time and time again and several “aha!” moments occurred as Katheryn helped unpack my story with me. Continually grateful for this experience.

Kristine Kinsey

I saw Dr. Perkel for 3 years, and couldn't have asked for a better therapeutic experience. She guided me through several different exercises (always mindful of my emotional boundaries) to help me get to a point where I felt confident stepping fully and independently back into my life. And there was a lot to get through in those 3 years! I chose her because she was one of the few therapists in this area that didn't stress a religious approach to therapy - which isn't to say that she isn't a spiritual person - she is deeply soulful and empathetic. I never felt judged for my issues, or pressured to make each session a revelatory experience. I just talked, and listened, and healed, all at my own pace. She never held me back, or set the expectations for wellness; she fully empowered me to do that for myself. And I know that her door is always open, should I need the occasional mental health tweak. I have recommended her to several people through the years, and never with any of the shame or stigma that sometimes surrounds mental health. It is so, so beneficial to have a solid foundation in your own psyche, especially in our current super-shaky world. Self-awareness (and personal responsibility in the face of said awareness) is a wonderful thing!