Terri Giller-Etheridge, M.Ed., ATR-BC, LPC

I knew being a therapist was something I wanted to do since the age of 17. I've always been creative, open, and genuinely curious about others. I earned my Master of Education in counseling and art therapy from the University of Louisville in 2007. I became a credentialed art therapist in 2011 and worked mainly with children and older adults. I then shifted to adult inpatient psych, leading groups where I supported those dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, such as addiction recovery and bipolar disorder. I became a licensed counselor (LPC) in Virginia in 2021 after working as a resident in counseling at a community mental health organization, serving individuals who have experienced sexual violence.

​

​Why "Calling Cadence"? Several years ago, I was feeling "stuck" and I wasn't sure how to change it. I had a dream in which I was turning pages and looking through books--  searching for something, but I didn't know what I was looking for. In the dream, I stumbled upon the phrase, perhaps a title of a book, "calling cadence". Then, just as quickly as I had found it, it was gone-- or I woke up. When I woke up, I researched the name, to realize there isn't a book titled Calling Cadence-- or anything else for that matter. I did, however, see a definition that just felt right: cadence- "a balanced, rhythmic flow".  So maybe that's what I was looking for....

​

I currently work as the Instructor of Creative Arts Therapy in the undergraduate program at West Liberty University in West Virginia. While I enjoy teaching, I knew I wanted to keep working with individuals in a clinical way, so I started my private practice in 2023. I get to spend my free time hiking, traveling, or riding bikes with my husband, taking care of my two senior rescue pups, and my garden. I am an artist as well, and I'm constantly inspired by nature-- whether I am painting birds or dyeing fabric with plants from my garden.  Though I live in West Virginia (beautiful, green, West Virginia), my heart belongs to the desert and the red rocks of the southwestern US and I go there as often as I can. 

​

It is important for me to  recognize that my experience as a white, cis-gendered, straight woman affords me certain privileges, and I strive to continually learn about that privilege and what it means (historically and individually), and to use that privilege to give back and contribute to historically marginalized communities . I welcome  everyone to my space, no matter where you are from, your race, gender, who you love, or what you believe.  I will be your ally,  and though I may not have your lived experience, I will deeply listen, learn, and offer support while continually engaging in the process of cultural humility.  I understand that access to mental health care is difficult for many, and some individuals have additional barriers to navigate. I offer a sliding scale for those uninsured or underinsured. I reserve limited space in my schedule for  reduced-fee/donation-based (pay what you can) services, specifically for individuals coming from historically marginalized communities.