Christian Counseling for when “just talking about it” hasn’t been enough.
Experience a deeper path to healing that honors both Somatic (mind-body) science and Biblical truth. I provide specialized online therapy in Tennessee for those ready to move past the "talking circles" and into a life of grounded grace.
Does your body feel stuck while your head is trying to move on?
Maybe you recognize these patterns:
The Knowledge Gap: You can explain your “why” in a session, but you still feel the same tightness in your chest or buzz of anxiety at home.
The “On” Switch: You feel constantly in high gear or hyper-vigilant, even when you know you are safe.
The Performance Trap: You’ve become an expert at holding it all together, but you’re exhausted from performing for God, others, and even yourself.
The Surface Level: You’ve tried traditional talk therapy, but it felt like you were just venting rather than transforming.
A Deeper Path Forward
Whether you are navigating a messy life transition, untangling complex family dynamics, or carrying the weight of trauma, I’m honored to walk with you. I work best with the over-thinkers and the spiritual seekers who are tired of just trying harder.
By integrating Somatic (mind-body) therapy with a Christian worldview, we move past the surface. We don't just talk about the heavy stuff—we work with your nervous system to finally experience the peace and grace you know is true in your heart.
The Philosophy: Why “Heartset”?
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
- Ecclesiastes 3:11
If you are a chronic overthinker or someone who survives hard times by overperforming, you are seen here. While a "mindset" can only carry us so far, the heart longs for an eternal peace that logic simply can’t fathom. Beyond simply analyzing struggles, our goal is to help you move toward actually feeling safe in your body to create a more grounded heartset.
In the midst of chaos or feelings that carry shame, we work together to shift from a state of constant "doing" to a state of "being." We lean into the promise that God is at work, trusting that He is making things beautiful in His time—even when we are currently in the "messy middle" of the story.
Specializing in the deep and the difficult.
My Areas of Heart-Centered Focus
You’re an expert at holding it all together, but the internal cost is rising. You might find that while your mind is productive and organized, your body feels constantly "braced"—carrying a quiet, underlying alarm that you can't seem to turn off. You aren't failing. Your nervous system is just trying to protect you. We use somatic tools to help you move from a state of constant doing to a state of being, finding the peace that logic alone can’t provide.
Trauma isn't just a story about what happened; it’s a physical imprint that often leaves the body stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. This is especially true when wounds are tied to faith or religious environments. My approach integrates nervous system science with Biblical truth to help you gently "renegotiate" these responses. Whether you are processing past trauma or untangling the pain of church hurt, we work to help your body and spirit finally receive the memo that it is safe to rest in God’s grace.
Whether you are navigating new motherhood, a career shift, or a season of grief, transitions often reveal rocky foundations. We explore these shifts through a holistic lens, looking at how your spirit and your relationships are impacted. Together, we find the "eternity in the heart" (Ecc 3:11) that remains steady even when your circumstances are in flux.
Untangling family loops requires more than just venting. We look at the patterns of performance and people-pleasing that keep you exhausted. By developing body-based awareness, you can learn to set boundaries and show up in your relationships with authentic grace rather than defensive, performance-based reactions.
Meet Your Counselor
Delaney Spillman, LPC-MHSP, NCC (TN# 7847)
From Biology to the Biblical Heart
My journey to counseling began with a fascination for how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." I spent my early years immersed in the study of biological design, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Eastern Illinois University. My path was set on becoming a large-animal veterinarian—a career focused on the physical mechanics of healing.
However, God was gradually nurturing a passion within me for a different kind of restoration. I realized that while the "mechanics" of our bodies are incredible, there is an eternal "Heartset" within us that biology alone cannot explain.
Clinical Roots & Holistic Vision
This redirection led me to earn my Master’s degree in Counseling from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. Over the following years, I served in the trenches of the juvenile court system, residential treatment centers, university counseling, and school-based settings.
In these intensive environments, I saw a recurring theme: Mindset isn't enough. I watched people try to think their way out of trauma or logic their way out of grief, only to remain stuck because their bodies and spirits hadn't been invited into the healing.
Why I Focus on "Heartset" Today
Today, as a wife and a mother, my commitment to holistic health is more personal than ever. I’ve learned that life’s transitions—whether messy, unexpected, or even joyful—require us to be grounded in grace rather than just "high-performing" in our minds.
My mission at Heartset Counseling is to help you bridge that gap. I integrate my background in biological science with a deep foundation in Christian counseling to help you:
Understand your nervous system’s biological response to stress.
Deconstruct the mental loops of overthinking.
Reconnect with the spiritual peace of Ecclesiastes 3:11.
I’m here to help you stop simply surviving your story and start living from a heart that feels safe, whole, and beautifully timed.
Getting Started is Simple
No "performing" required. Just three steps toward a deeper approach to healing.
The Consultation: Schedule a free 15-minute phone call to see if our Heartset approach feels like the right fit for your journey. Just click the hyperlink to share a few times you’re available and you’ll hear from me within 48 business hours.
The Assessment: We’ll meet online for an initial session to map out your nervous system patterns and identify the loops that have kept you stuck.
The Transformation: Through consistent, holistic sessions, we move beyond just talking and begin the work of mind-body-spirit restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Traditional therapy often stays in the "Mindset"—analyzing thoughts and behaviors. While we will certainly talk, we also use Somatic (body-based) tools and nervous system science to address where stress is physically stored. We aim for a "Heartset" shift that you can actually feel.
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Not at all. While my framework is rooted in Biblical truth and the grace found in Christ, I respect every individual’s personal journey and welcome clients from all backgrounds. I am here to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for your healing.
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Yes! I am currently in network with Aetna, Ascension (SmartHealth), Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, and Quest Behavioral Health. I am on the waitlist for Oxford, Oscar, and United Healthcare and will post updates accordingly.
I am also happy to provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement depending on your policy.
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Visit my Fees & Investment page for a detailed breakdown of session costs and information on how to use in- and out-of-network benefits.
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Contact me via email, phone, or the contact form below. You will hear from me within 48 business hours to schedule your free phone consultation.
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Therapy is different for everyone. Many clients come with immediate concerns and find relief within a few months as we focus on calming the nervous system and addressing what feels most pressing. Others choose to continue longer-term to explore deeper healing, growth, and faith integration over time.
I work collaboratively with you to create a plan that fits your needs, goals, and season of life. We’ll move at a pace that feels supportive guided by wisdom, care, and what brings the most healing.
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Surprisingly, yes! Because you are in your own environment (your "safe space"), your nervous system often finds it easier to relax. We use interactive tools and guided awareness that work beautifully over a secure video platform—no Tennessee commute required.
Ready to give your mind a break?
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. Let’s work together to find the peace your heart was designed for.