A.G. EStes, LMFT (TEMP)
AG believes every person has a unique inherent value that’s deserving of experiencing safety, acceptance, and understanding. This guides her work with individuals and family therapy within the modality of child play therapy. Every person who comes into her office will be met with compassion, curiosity, and encouragement. AG works with adults navigating romantic relationships and redefining family roles, codependency, “big” emotions, faith questions and concerns, trauma recovery, along with LGBTQ+ related stressors.
You are not “messed up,” and there is nothing “wrong” with you. We all have experienced challenges and most have felt an unimaginable pain, and we react to that pain in varying ways. Experiences that are painfully overwhelming send signals to the brain with the goal of safety and protection, which long term can lead to the memories being “stuck” in different regions. AG is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting (BSP), both evidence-based treatment modalities for treating chronic anxiety, perfectionism, illnesses, and trauma-related issues in children and adults.
AG values working with children (ages 3-12) and is pursuing her Registered Play Therapist credential. She approaches child therapy with an understanding of child development and presenting issues while remaining goal oriented. Caregivers are valued and involved along the process. She has completed additional training in AutPlay, which is a framework focused on mental health needs of neuro divergent children.
As a Nashville-native, she has an embedded love for music with go-tos like Noah Kahan, Glass Animals, and Gracie Abrams. AG enjoys finding new adventures with Ryman, her furry goldendoodle, spending time with her partner, and trying new ways to move her body- right now, it’s pickleball.
AG earned her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University with a specialization in Play Therapy. At Middle Tennessee State University, she received her B.S. in Music Business with a minor in Psychology.
Contact Information
651 E 4th Street
Chattanooga, TN 37403
ag@scoutcounseling.com
423-641-4595
Education
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, Lipscomb University
B.S. in Music Business, Middle Tennessee State University
Credentials + Certifications
Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (Provisional)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) through EMDRIA
Completed Phase 1 and 11 of Registered Play Therapist Certification
Brainspotting Phase I & Phase II
Member of the Association for Play Therapy