Breanne Nelson

My Story

I believe that humor is as important as sincerity; irreverence is sometimes the only response to how heavy and serious the issues we face. Life is both too long and too short. I encourage people to find their own values and identities, strip them from the judgments we each carry from society, and figure out how we can show up for ourselves and for the ones we love as the best version of ourselves. Love can be hard - both loving ourselves and loving others - but it is always important. My top priorities are always to create community and connections as I think these are the things that not only buoy us through hard times but are also the things that matter most.  In my own struggles I often found it hard to even desire to stay alive, much less muster the energy, hope and courage to change what wasn’t working. On the other side of those struggles now, I can say that there is a version of life that feels manageable and worth the effort. I think that is true for and available to everyone.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies in 2007 with focuses on Gender & Sexuality Studies, LGBTQAI+ Studies, Social Work, and Sociology. I am currently a student at Western Carolina University for my Masters in Social Work and I will graduate 2026.  In my career between school I spent much of my time working as a case manager with people leaving unhealthy and unsafe relationships, navigating big changes to housing, career, education and family structure. My recent experience includes caring for loved ones through the end of their lives which was a catalyst for becoming a Death Doula with the Center for Conscious Living & Dying in Asheville, NC. 

As a therapist I seek to always “be where my feet are” and show up fully present and ready to listen, connect and troubleshoot with clients. I am here to help recognize patterns, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and look for new and creative solutions that fit with the values clients want to lead their lives with. 

I use a combination of mindfulness, stress relaxation techniques, somatic awareness, cognitive disputation, and other skills to help connect patients’ goals and actions.

Outside of work I love being outside in any capacity, especially hiking or kayaking. I love animals and have a small menagerie of rescue farm and house animals. I also love to challenge myself to create, be it art or building projects or cooking. I believe that self-expression is the opposite of depression, I hope that in our work together we can find what expression fosters your own well-being.

I specialize in:

• Grief

• Loss

• Adjusting to terminal diagnoses

• Suicidality

• Caregiving challenges

• Life transitions

• LGBTQIA+ and issues faced by non-transitioning partners of transgender people

• Alternative relationship structures.