Holly Wade, LCSW LLC
“I believe people can heal. Humans are amazing beings and watching them learn about themselves and develop new skills to cope with our difficult world is inspiring to me. People are resilient and I am just guiding them towards healthier ways to live” Holly
““Holly has shown the ability to quickly engage the most difficult patient and/or parent in a kind and understanding way which is effective and supportive. Her approach is non-judgmental and compassionate, with a healthy sense of humor. Holly has an excellent knowledge of appropriate developmental stages, evidence based practice and community resources which have made her an asset to our team. I have enjoyed working with Holly and highly recommend her as a skilled clinical social worker who has integrity and ethics beyond compare.”
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Holly Wade, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with licenses to practice in Tennessee and Florida and previously held licensure in Connecticut. With experience across the full continuum of mental health care, Holly brings a broad clinical perspective to her private practice, helping individuals navigate healing, resilience, and personal growth.
Holly specializes in supporting people recovering from difficult life experiences often described as trauma. Trauma can take many forms and may show up as anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship challenges, and other mental health concerns. Recognizing that trauma is frequently intertwined with shame, Holly is a trained Daring Way™ Facilitator, specializing in shame resilience and the evidence-based work of Dr. Brené Brown.
Additionally, Holly is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and has extensive experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through her training at Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, New York. Her work in DBT, combined with her personal practice of yoga and mindfulness, led her to further study Insight Meditation and contemplative practices through Kripalu Yoga Center and the teachings of Jack Kornfield, PhD.
Throughout her career, Holly has developed expertise working with survivors of childhood trauma, individuals impacted by abusive relationships, and families and individuals navigating substance use disorders. She also has a special understanding of the unique pressures faced by professionals—including lawyers, physicians, nurses, educators, therapists, and other caregivers—and enjoys helping them address burnout, improve well-being, and reconnect with what matters most.
Holly’s practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, grounded in cultural humility, and committed to creating a space of safety, acceptance, and respect for all people.
Holly began her career as a treatment coordinator at a psychiatric stabilization hospital in Connecticut, working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing acute mental health crises. She later founded a private practice in Greenwich, Connecticut, serving adolescents and adults with complex mental health needs while building a collaborative group practice. After relocating to Tennessee in 2016, Holly returned to community mental health, where she expanded her expertise in outpatient mental health treatment and substance use disorder rehabilitation.
Holly has presented at the University of Memphis School of Social Work symposium on “The Power of Shame Resilience” and “Understanding Trauma Treatment.” She also served as Clinical Director for The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, where she provided clinical leadership, case management, crisis intervention, referrals, and educational programming for attorneys and legal professionals. Her presentations have included topics such as burnout prevention, self-care, anxiety and depression, and understanding mental health treatment. She serves as a board member on the NASW-TN board and as the chair of the NASW-TN Legislative Committee.
A native Tennessean with family roots across East and West Tennessee, Holly attended Boston University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Fordham University Graduate School of Social Work. Beyond her clinical work, Holly has served as an appointed and elected official, a church vestry leader, and a board member of Person-to-Person in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She is the proud parent of two grown children who live in California and Colorado.
““I fully recommend Holly Wade as a strong and diligent social worker who is capable of handling a multitude of clinical needs.”
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