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- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Attachment-based approaches
- Cognitive behavioral strategies
About Edward
Dr. Edward Varner, LPC-MHSP, is a licensed professional counselor with mental health service provider designation in Tennessee and over 30 years of clinical experience. He works on relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, mood disorders such as bipolar and depression, anxiety and stress, grief, intimacy issues, eating and body image concerns, parenting and family-related struggles, and ADHD. Sessions are described in his own terms as focused on helping people navigate difficult life changes, improve communication, and build coping skills.
Dr. Varner uses a mix of approaches that include acceptance and commitment work, attachment-based ideas, client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral strategies, and dialectical skills. He emphasizes practical tools for managing symptoms and improving daily functioning. He brings a perspective informed by Christian values and conservative viewpoints for clients who prefer that orientation.
His practice also notes attention to areas such as attachment issues, autism and Asperger Syndrome, kink and alternative sexual cultures, blended family concerns, co-morbidity, codependency, dissociation, substance use, and recovery from sexual assault and domestic violence. He lists career, coaching, and coping after natural or human-caused disasters among focus areas.
Dr. Varner offers services in English and Japanese and accepts international clients. He frames therapy as collaborative work to build healthier patterns and stronger coping. He describes sessions as aimed at restoring functioning and helping people make concrete changes in relationships and daily life.
Background and approach include emphasis on communication skills, attachment repair, and symptom management. His practice emphasizes straightforward tools such as behavioral experiments, values-based action, and emotion regulation techniques drawn from cognitive and dialectical traditions. He encourages scheduling a first session to clarify goals and plan next steps.
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Therapeutic approaches and working online
Dr. Varner draws on several evidence-informed approaches in his work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, clarify values, and take committed action toward meaningful goals; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early relationship patterns and how they affect current connections, which can be useful for intimacy and communication problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.Choosing the right approach is presented as a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to figure out which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Plans can shift as progress is reviewed and different skills are tried.
Session logistics and formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Discuss format and scheduling during the first appointment to set expectations and match therapy tasks to everyday life.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Tennessee
Languages
English, Japanese
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Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, mood disorders, anxiety, grief, parenting and a range of other concerns listed in his profile.
What is his therapeutic style?
He combines client-centered listening with ACT, CBT, DBT skills, and attachment-based ideas to focus on practical coping and communication.
How many years has he practised?
He has 30 years of clinical experience in counseling and mental health work.
Where is he licensed and based?
He holds the Tennessee LPC-MHSP credential and practices in Tennessee.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Japanese.
Can international clients work with him?
Yes, he accepts international clients according to his profile.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.