While many gifted counselors practice in Nashville, Tennessee, you will be hard pressed to find another like Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Thaddeus Heffner. Practicing from his office in Brentwood, Tennessee, Thaddeus Heffner works with many clients who present with any number of different situations. What makes Thaddeus Heffner stand out from many of his colleagues is that he also works with clients who struggle with unwanted same sex attraction (SSA).
Thaddeus Heffner is quick to point out that there are some differences between a person who identifies as having unwanted same-sex attraction (SSA) and an individual who identifies as being gay. The main difference, says Heffner, is that a person with unwanted same-sex attraction does not resonate with the gay identity or the gay culture. These clients often tell Thaddeus Heffner that being gay is not who they are at their core and it is not who they want to be.
Thaddeus Heffner prides himself in taking a client centered approach. Having respect for a client’s right to self-determine their life path and goals in therapy; there is nothing more important to Thaddeus Heffner. This is a foundational ethic with Thaddeus Heffner strives to always uphold and maintain in his office when seeing clients. Whether a client is presenting with unwanted same-sex attraction, whether they identify as gay, if they are struggling with depression, anxiety, addictions or marital issues, Thaddeus Heffner always practices putting the client first. Nothing could be more important to him.
So much of Thaddeus Heffner’s approach is centered on attachment and shame based work, regardless of what a client is presenting with. Thaddeus Heffner shares that while people tend to be so gracious with others, they tend to be the opposite with themselves. Often finding himself down in the hurt, pain, and messiness of a clients life, Thaddeus Heffner communicates that there is no place he would rather be with people. It is in their authentic expression of what is really happening in their lives that Thaddeus Heffner sees so much strength in people and the resiliency of the human spirit. “Life knocks down a person so many times and they just continue to get up again and again, believing that there is something better,” says Thaddeus Heffner. There is no doubt in the mind of Thaddeus Heffner that each time a person is knocked down he or she always stands up again even stronger than he or she was before.
Self-determination, and the courage of the human spirit are what continue to amaze Thaddeus Heffner each day he opens his door to his clients. There is nothing else Thaddeus Heffner, LMFT, looks forward to more than seeing people find their truth, their joy, and their freedom.
Gay. Straight. Bi-sexual. We all suffer from some sort of unwanted attraction. I think that’s how a lot of affairs begin. Thaddeus Heffner makes a good point that people often act differently with themselves than they do toward others.
It’s remarkable to me when therapists, Thaddeus Heffner included, can put themselves so close to other people’s pain and help the healing process. I have met with counselors before who had a natural empathy for their clients and it’s a beautiful thing. Keep up the good work, Thaddeus Heffner, and thank you for bearing the burdens of those who cannot bear it for themselves.
Finding truth, joy, and freedom is so hard for so many people. As a husband and soon-to-be father, I am happy but I, too, struggle with what Thaddeus Heffner calls “unwanted Same Sex Attraction.” I don’t feel as though I can confide that to my wife. It’s too bad I am not in Tennessee or I’d be making an appointment with Thaddeus Heffner. It sounds like he understands my problem.
I didn’t know there was a difference between unwanted same sex attraction and being gay. Thaddeus Heffner is really the first person I’ve ever heard make that distinction. I have always wondered if those who identify with homosexuality ever felt this way in the beginning, then just give in. I’d enjoy reading the thoughts of Thaddeus Heffner in depth.