About Us
Michelle Cochran, MD, DFAPA (Medical doctor, Distinguised Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association)
Dr Cochran currently works as the medical director of the Nashville Center for Hope & Healing and NeuroScience and TMS Treatment Centers. Dr Cochran has experience treating a variety of psychiatric conditions, using a comprehensive approach with therapy, counseling, pharmacogenomic testing, medication, and neuromodulation such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation since 2011. Dr Cochran lectures locally and internationally on TMS treatment for depression, and the benefits and limitations of pharamacogenetics.
Dr Cochran is Board Certified and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Cochran is in the clinic daily for patient care and supervision.
For further bio and information about Dr. Cochran see the NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Centers website.
Kelly Anderson, PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified)
Kelly Anderson is a Board Certified Lifespan Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with prescriptive privileges. She has devoted her professional career to mental health and healing, growing both in education and experience along the way. Kelly graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and went on to earn her master’s degree from Loyola College in Maryland in Clinical Psychology. With the intention of having a more direct impact on the lives of patients, Kelly pursued a career in Nursing. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Belmont University in Nashville and her Masters in Nursing from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Kelly has worked in mental health for over twenty years, with diverse experience caring for adults, children and adolescents. She focuses her practice on building relationships with the fundamental desire to understand her patient’s experience, perspective, and unique goals. Kelly encourages her patients to take an active role in their journey to wellness, with an emphasis on personal growth, self-care, and healthy relationship boundaries.
Leah Bowen, PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified)
Leah Bowen is Board Certified as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner with prescriptive privileges. She completed undergraduate studies at Birmingham-Southern College and her master’s in nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is a member of the nursing honor society, Sigma Theta Tau, Iota chapter.
Leah comes to The Nashville Center for Hope and Healing with 14 years of experience in psychiatry, the majority of the time working for the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt. She has experience working with adults in private practice and children and adolescents in outpatient and school settings. Since 2003, she has helped train psychiatric nurse practitioner students at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing as a preceptor and clinical supervisor.
Leah’s holistic approach to healing includes an emphasis on individual and family therapy, judicious use of medication and healthy self care practices. She specializes in treating symptoms of anxiety, trauma, depression, cyclic moods and ADHD.
Virginia Gardner, PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified)
Besides being certified as an
adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner with prescriptive privileges, Virginia is also certified as a qualified cognitive therapist through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Virginia graduated Cum Laude from Duke University with a psychology major and received her Masters of Science in Nursing from the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty program at Vanderbilt School of Nursing in 2005. Before joining NCHH in 2012, she served as a member of the clinical faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt School of Medicine for almost seven years, with a clinical practice specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. From 2008-2012, she taught a neuroscience course to the psychiatric nurse practitioner students at Vanderbilt School of Nursing. Currently, she is a part-time faculty member at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing where she helps train psychiatric nurse practitioner students and is an instructor in their psychopharmacology course. Virginia specializes in treating Depression, Bipolar Disorder, health anxiety illness, and Insomnia with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Ellie Kenemer, PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified)
Ellie is Board Certified as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner with prescriptive privileges. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia, graduating cum laude with a BA in Psychology, then continued her education at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, graduating with a Master’s of Science in Nursing. Ellie is a member of the nursing honor society Sigma Theta Tau, Iota chapter, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
She has worked as a therapist through private organizations, in the school system, and as an independent contractor. Prior to joining Dr. Cochran’s practice she worked as a Nurse Practitioner in a community health setting. Her varied roles within the mental health field have provided experience including individual therapy and counseling, telehealth services, individualized Applied Behavioral Analysis and Discrete Trial Training techniques with Autistic children, outdoor Vestibular System therapy, pediatric play therapy, and equestrian aided movement therapy. She specializes in treating Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Schizophrenia.
Frances Perkins, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
Frances is a Licensed Professional Counselor who entered the mental health field in 2002. Her experience includes working in nonprofit community mental health, schools, family-based treatment, crisis counseling, employee assistance counseling, integrated behavioral health, and private practice settings. She received a degree in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University and later completed a Master of Arts in Counseling. She enjoys working with individuals as well as couples and families. Her focus is on providing support and guidance to those experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, stressful life circumstances, relationship challenges, grief/ bereavement, past trauma, family and parenting dynamics, and career/work related issues. She also is trained to provide clinical supervision to new counselors helping to continue the great work being done in the field.
Frances provides a place for people to explore their story, engage their heart, and develop a deeper sense of awareness. She brings a well-rounded clinical approach to counseling that incorporates multiple aspects of a person's life. Frances seeks to create a feeling of hope where clients can share emotions honestly and without judgment and grow from these experiences.
Lauren Valencia, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
Lauren Valencia, LCSW has worked at here and the Neuroscience and TMS Treatment Centers since 2013 as a Therapist and TMS Coordinator/Supervisor. She has presented & facilitated group discussions at the Clinical TMS Society Annual Meetings from 2016 through 2019. In therapy and during TMS sessions, Lauren utilizes aspects of CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing to work with patients. She helps patients find their personal strengths to develop and achieve treatment goals relevant to living a fulfilling life. Dr Cochran and Lauren wrote the online workbook, TRAIN YOUR BRAIN: Your record of TMS therapy, www.TMSworkbook.com.
Lauren graduated from the University of TN College Of Social Work in 2013 with a Masters of Science. Prior to this, Lauren received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Criminology from Florida State University. Lauren's previous employment experiences include working with patients in the Tennessee Valley Health System, VA System, Alive Hospice, and Children's Home Society of Florida.
Emelyn Davis, Billing Manager
Emelyn is a Nashville native, born and raised. She excelled at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she majored in Spanish and World Business. While involved in numerous activities, she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. Em began in this office as the TMS Coordinator and was promoted to Clinical Practice Manager in 2013.
Whitney Patton, Practice Administrator
Whitney is a Nashville native, born & raised. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Middle Tennessee State University, where she majored in Community and Public Health, and Nutrition Sciences. Before working in this office, she was a Dietician Assistant at Vanderbilt Hospital for 3 years, and 1 year at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
Chuck Cochran, MBA, CFO
Chuck is our back office Administrator. An MBA from Vanderbilt University and a University of Tennessee Alum, you might get a glimpse of him in the office. He is usually tucked away in the back working on accounting, insurance and operations. He is always available to help on any non-clinical issue when the front office staff is busy or unavailable. Chuck is an experienced Practice and TMS Administrator.
Eris Steele, New Front office staff, photo coming soon
Eris is joining our team. She has had a long healthcare career in the world of cardiology and will be learning our unique processes to better serve you.