Tricia Thornton
Therapist, Author, Speaker
Healing and growth happen through relationships where we are authentically seen, known, and emotionally safe. Whether through therapy, parent coaching, speaking, or writing, Tricia brings together neuroscience, attachment, faith, and real-life experience to help individuals and families move toward deeper connection, understanding, and hope.
“Parenting is more challenging than it was years ago, and we all want partners to help us parent well; Tricia is one of those partners.”
Ken Cheeseman, Head of School, The Webb School
“Tricia’s training, faith, and understanding of how the brain has been created bring a different level of care to the hurting. I find it a great resource for anyone who works with children or has one in their own home.”
Trudy Waters, Head of School, The Covenant School
About Tricia Thornton
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As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and Certified Interpersonal Neurobiology Clinician, Tricia provides therapy in many ways for a wide range of individuals. She empowers children as a play therapist, supports parents as a clinician and as a parent herself, and provides a safe space for individuals of all ages to process hurts, fears, losses, and a range of feelings. Her private practice, Tricia Thornton Therapy, is located in the Green Hills area in Nashville, TN.
“Seeking support doesn't always mean something is wrong. Sometimes it means we want to understand more clearly.”
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Drawing from decades of neurological research and countless conversations with parents and kids, Tricia Thornton has become a trusted voice for anyone who longs to move beyond survival mode and into the lasting blessings of parenting. Her books Beyond Blessed Parenting and Blessing from Fear offer the encouragement and practical tools you need to break free from overwhelm and experience a more connected, joy-filled life with your children.
Tricia’s books encourage the reader’s journey toward a deeper connection—with ourselves, with one another, and with God.
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Whether speaking to small groups of heads of schools, parents in a seminar, women at a conference, large parent conferences, or fellow therapists, Tricia authentically connects with her audiences. Through weaving together her life stories as a parent, a woman, and her years of experience as a therapist, she guides her audience to easily understand the science and spiritual path of overcoming fear. She leaves her audiences with hope, direction, and a newfound path.
Tricia translates neuroscience, attachment research, and clinical experience into practical wisdom that strengthens relationships.
Tricia’s Mission
Being fully seen includes being loved, cherished, valued, and known.
Tricia is passionate about helping individuals on their healing journey—whether they are clients in her private practice, readers of her books, audiences at her speaking events, or members of her online community. Her mission is to help people move toward greater emotional health by creating environments where they feel seen, safe, and genuinely connected.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and Certified Interpersonal Neurobiology Clinician (C-IPNB), Tricia equips parents with practical, neuroscience-informed tools to understand their children's behavior, strengthen emotional safety, and build lasting connection within their families. She believes that when parents understand the brain, they are better equipped to respond with confidence, compassion, and wisdom.
Her specialized training in play therapy allows her to "hear" and "speak reassurance" in children's natural language—play. Drawing on her experience as a school counselor, she partners with parents, educators, and other key adults to create a collaborative, whole-child approach that supports growth at home and at school.
Having experienced her own healing journey, Tricia brings deep empathy to every conversation. Whether counseling, writing, or speaking, her greatest desire is to help individuals and families experience hope, healing, authentic connection, and the confidence to move forward together.
Testimonials & Endorsements
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“Tricia combines an empathetic heart with clinical expertise. She came into the life of our family after we experienced a large house fire, and guided my (then) five-year-old son and me into the healing process. Tricia is steady, perceptive, and kind. Several years later, we continue to see the fruit of our time spent with her. Thank you, Tricia, for your work in our lives!” ~ Client Testimony
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“Beyond Blessed Parenting has a balance of psychological theory and research findings, and practical suggestions for addressing issues such as fear and anxiety, and references to sources of spiritual guidance. Through the cases, Tricia Thornton, covers a range of issues parents face in their everyday life. Her own experience brings a voice to creates conversation with the reader.” ~ Robert B. Innes, Professor Emeritus Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
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“Tricia’s deep and personal understanding of fear, anxiety, trauma, and a myriad of childhood issues, coupled with her education and professional experiences, make her more relevant than most in today’s society and the needs of our children and their families.”
Allen Long, Ed.D., Executive Director High Hopes Development Center