Alex DerryMarriage & Family Therapist, LMFTRobert's approach is compassionate and effective, fostering trust that enables real growth. He blends a deep understanding of relational dynamics with practical tools for meaningful change.
Couples & Individual Therapy · Murfreesboro & Middle TennesseeTherapy that feels human — warm, honest, and grounded in real life.
Helping individuals and couples move out of repeating cycles and back into connection, understanding, and trust.
Accepting new clients
15+Years in pastoral counseling & helping work
01 — About
Hi, I'm Robert.
"I don't see people as problems to be fixed, but as stories that deserve understanding, dignity, and care."
- AMFTAssociate Marriage & Family Therapist — Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy, Trevecca Nazarene University (2024)
- 15 yrs15+ years of pastoral counseling and helping experience prior to clinical training
- Sup.Pre-licensed and practicing under the supervision of Dr. Sara Hopkins, LMFT (TN license #928)
I'm Robert Russell, AMFT, a pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Middle Tennessee. My work has been shaped by years of sitting with individuals, couples, teens, and families as they navigate anxiety, disconnection, faith questions, life transitions, and the quiet pressures that build over time.
After fifteen years in pastoral counseling, I chose to pursue a master's in Marriage & Family Therapy so I could offer evidence-based, compassionate care to the people I work with. I help couples rebuild connection and communication, and I support individuals who want greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and personal growth.
Therapy with me isn't about quick fixes or surface-level advice. It's about creating understanding, compassion, and intentional responses instead of reactive ones — in a warm, collaborative space built around your needs.
02 — My Approach
Relational, emotionally focused, and practical.
I draw on a few connected frameworks to help people understand why they react the way they do — not just what they do — so real, sustainable change can take root.
i.
Emotionally Focused
Rooted in EFT, we slow things down to identify the emotional cycles that keep you stuck and build the safety that allows change to happen.
ii.
Attachment-Based
Drawing on attachment science, we explore the patterns beneath your reactions to deepen understanding and foster secure connection.
iii.
Parts & Story Work
Informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) and narrative work, we process the stories that shape how you show up in your relationships.
03 — Who I Help
For people caught in cycles they can't seem to break.
I work with individuals and couples who feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck — especially those who carry a lot for others. Sometimes that support happens in the therapy room, and sometimes it starts with simply understanding what you’re experiencing. That’s why I’ve also created a growing library of plain-language guides to help make emotional, relational, and mental health topics easier to understand. Browse the Kind Guides →
Couples & partners
Many of my clients are couples struggling with communication, trust, or emotional distance — working to repair old wounds and rediscover the connection that brought them together.
Individuals, teens & leaders
I also work with teens, young adults, and parents facing anxiety, depression, or big transitions — and I hold space for pastors and church leaders who need somewhere they don't have to be “on.” Faith is an important part of life for many of my clients, and I'm glad to integrate Christian faith and values into counseling for anyone who wants that.
04 — Your First Session
No pressure. Just a start.
The first session is about helping you feel comfortable and understood. We'll talk about what brought you in, what feels most urgent, and what you hope could be different.
You won't be pressured to share more than you're ready for, and there's no expectation to have everything figured out.
My goal for you
That you leave that first session feeling seen, a little more grounded, and hopeful that change — real, sustainable change — is possible.
05 — In Their Words
What colleagues say about working with Robert.
Luke BraselMarriage & Family Therapist, LMFTRobert is passionate about people — in who we are, what happens inside of us, and how both impact our relationships. If you want someone to see you and help you become more of yourself, give him a call.
JoAnn BreinerLicensed Professional Counselor, NCC, LPC, MHSPHis compassionate approach and deep understanding of relational dynamics create a safe space for healing and growth. He guides couples and families through challenges while effectively fostering connection.
Heather RectorMarriage & Family Therapist, LMFTI've seen Robert work his magic firsthand — he's amazing at helping individuals and couples reconnect. His warmth and insightful approach help you break through emotional roadblocks and rebuild trust.
Mark SchmahlMarriage & Family Therapist, MMFT, MARobert is a compassionate therapist who draws on his own experience as a husband and father, as well as his training, to help others live fully in their relationships.
Endorsed by 13 fellow clinicians on Psychology Today.
06 — Fees & Offices
Straightforward fees, a welcoming office.
Individual Therapyper 50-minute session
$150
Couples Therapyper 50-minute session
$150
Consultation15-minute phone call
Free
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Murfreesboro
Kind Therapy at River Tree Center212 Heritage Park Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37129In-person · Online across Tennessee
07 — Get in Touch
Take the first step.
Connection and growth are within reach. Reach out and we'll find a time that works for you.
Murfreesboro, TN — in-person & online
Free 15-minute consultation — a no-pressure call to see if we're a good fit before you book a first session.