CERTIFICATIONS/SPECIAL TRAINING:

C-DBT (CERTIFIED IN DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY)

CEDS (CERTIFIED EATING DISORDERS SPECIALIST)

Devon Bridgwaters is a licensed professional counselor and co-founder of Evolve Counseling Associates, LLC. She graduated from Furman University with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology before obtaining her Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University. Prior to private practice, Devon gained therapeutic experience through opportunities in eating disorder treatment centers, local private schools, alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, and residential treatment centers for youth with behavioral disorders.

Devon has a passion for working with girls and women specifically with body image concerns, disordered eating, eating disorders, and co-occurring disorders. She is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) credentialed through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation and is a current board member of the organization’s Nashville Chapter. She has over 8 years of experience working in partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings that treat anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Additionally, she enjoys counseling those navigating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, stress, self-esteem concerns, school concerns, life transitions, and/or personal growth journeys.

Devon honors that each person presents with individual differences and a unique way of experiencing the world while also considering that humans are relational beings with a core need to connect in order to survive and thrive. She believes that mutual empathy and mutual empowerment result in mutual growth, thus, making the therapeutic relationship a foundational component of change. In each session, Devon prioritizes developing a trusting relationship and creating a safe environment where women are encouraged to authentically express themselves.

Devon utilizes an integrative approach to counseling that caters to the client’s individual needs yet draws upon evidenced based treatment modalities including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), adolescent focused therapy (AFT), family-based therapy (FBT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP). She practices from a Health at Every Size framework and welcomes women of all backgrounds, body sizes/shapes, ethnicities, religious affiliations, sexualities, and walks of life.