Last edited 12/04/2025
Identifies As
She/TheyWoman, Non-binary / GenderfluidNative American/Indigenous, White, Biracial or MultiracialPansexualBIPOC, LGBTQIA+Neurodivergent, Living with a disability, Living with a chronic disease
Get To Know Me
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
Hello and Welcome. I am Dr. T. A. Meridian McDonald, PhD, MS, LPC, Counselor and Director of Spectrum For Life Counseling. I am a multiply neurodivergent therapist and published researcher who is passionate about helping all clients, including those with neurodivergent conditions (diagnosed or self-identified), achieve personal growth. As a scientist and educator on neurodivergent conditions for over 20 years, I have helped individuals, families, and community members better understand the value of neurodivergent people and the challenges they face.
My work on co-occurring conditions (mental and physical health) experienced by neurodivergent people compelled me to bring my knowledge and skills from research settings to directly working with individuals in the community. As part of my practice, I support clients in self-empowerment which can take many forms. I tailor my practice to help clients identify and meet challenges, leverage their strengths and develop skills to increase their sense of fulfillment in life.
My primary approaches include a mix of internal family systems, acceptance and commitment therapy, critical race/feminist/cultural theories (power dynamics), psycho-dynamic approaches (childhood experiences), bio-psycho-social approaches (biology, psychology, and environment), and existential, mindful, and other contemplative approaches.
There are other approaches that I can apply with special consideration for client needs, such as CBT or different forms of DBT. These approaches have some excellent techniques and ideas but were not designed to directly address the mental health of marginalized people. I am well aware of ways that therapies have been historically weaponized against marginalized and divergent people. I will discuss these concerns with you and, together, we will create a unique approach tailored just for you.
Location
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Specialties
Specializes in
LGBTQIA related issuesStressTraumaNeurodiversityBurnout
General Expertise
DepressionAnxietyWork StressRelationship IssuesLoss/GriefSelf-EsteemRace & Cultural IdentityADHDAnger managementAttachment issuesAutism spectrum disorderBullyingCaregiver stress & supportChronic illnessChronic painDissociative disordersFamily issuesLife transitionsSpirituality & religion based issuesCouples
Treatment Approaches
Strength Based TherapyMindfulness PracticesCulturally Sensitive TherapyFamily Systems TherapyPerson-Centered TherapyFeminist TherapyHumanistic TherapyInternal Family Systems TherapyMulticultural TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally Focused TherapyAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapySolution-Focused Brief TherapyNeurodiversity-AffirmingExistential TherapyThe Gottman Method
Clientele
Types of Therapy
Individual Therapy
Serves Ages
ParentsYoung Adults (18-24)Adults (25-65)Seniors (65+)Adolescents (13-17)
Languages
English
Professional Background
LicensureTennessee, LPC-MHSP, 7708
Training/CertificationsVanderbilt Scholar in T4 Translational ResearchAdvanced Scholar: Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-InsomniaMindfulness-Based Stress ReductionClinical and Research Reliable on Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
Education
Tennessee State University, Master of Science, Counseling Psychology, 2022
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Doctorate of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies on Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2016 — I earned the honor of designing my own, unique, interdisciplinary PHD program focused entirely on autism. This rare opportunity requires that recipients detail ways their degree cannot be obtained anywhere in the country. My degree combined the fields of psychology (cognitive, developmental, social, education), sociology (critical disability theory), rehabilitation psychology, neuroscience, education, leadership, and policy analysis, and evolutionary psychology. My education focus lifespan, development, and life course theory which I supplement through involvment in multiple activites including becoming a Scholar for Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Co-Chairing the Wisconsin Community of Practice on Autism, Intellectual, and Developmental Disorders.
Dissertation Title: Identity as a Mediated Between Stigma and Stereotype Threat on Postsecondary Outcomes for Adults on the Autism Spectrum.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Arts, Developmental Psychology, 2011
Work HistoryI am a therapist and published research scientist. I began my journey toward becoming a neurodiversity and LGBTQIAP+ affirming therapist through personal experiences and research. I studied autism for over 20 years and was granted the rare opportunity to designed my own PHD program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (and attained a MS in Developmental Psychology on the way). While earning my PHD, I also worked in multiple research labs to expand my understanding and experience with neurodivergent populations.
As part of my PHD dissertation, I developed, validated, and published the Autism Spectrum Identity Scale which measures ways that autistic people differ from each other in the way they identify with being autistic. This research showed that autistic people with more positive autistic identity had better psychological health and educational and employment attainment.
After graduating, I accepted a Postdoctoral Fellow position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where I designed, implemented, and published a multi-component, neurodiversity-affirming self-determination program for autistic adults. The autistic participants found this program highly acceptable and appropriate for them with nearly all stating a desire to repeat the program.
I became Research Faculty at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center immediately after completing my Fellowship and became a Vanderbilt Scholar in T4 Translational Research. During this time, I published a unifying theory of autism, The Broader Autism Spectrum Phenotype Constellations-Disablity Matrix Paradigm (BAPCO-DMAP). As part of my research, it became increasingly clear that co-occurring physical, mental, and environmental health issues are the most crucial areas for neurodivergent wellbeing and flourishing. I adapted evidence based interventions for conditions such as as insomnia to autistic learning, information processing, communication, and social needs.
One of the most commonly cited issues in research is that it takes 17 years for research to eventually reach the community. I decided that I would have more impact working directly with the community. I returned to University to attain my degree in Counseling Psychology.
For my post-masters interships, I worked one year at Centerstone, a community-based mental health center serving low-income clients on TennCare and Safety-Net. I quickly became the "go-to" therapist for the center's neurodivergent clientele (often considered by other therapists as "more challenging" clients). I gained a reputation among my clients and colleagues as a highly flexible and effective nonjudgmental therapist who carefully worked with each client to co-create collaborative care.
I was recruited by Aster Springs Nashville for my second internship to develop and provide neurodiversity-affirming approaches for treating Eating Disorders for neurodivergent clientele. To learn more about these approaches, see: https://www.rockrecoveryed.org/blog/eating-disorders-and-neurodivergence
I was recruited by State of Tennessee's Department of Disability and Aging as a Mental Health Consultant for people with intellectual and other co-occurring developmental and mental health conditions. I continue to serve in this position.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not uncommon to have questions before starting therapy.
Dr. T. A. (Tempest) Meridian McDonald, LPC-MHSP, has answered a few of the questions they receive most often from new clients.
Is T. A. (Tempest) McDonald accepting new clients?
Yes, T. A. (Tempest) McDonald is accepting new clients for online therapy in Tennessee.
Does T. A. (Tempest) McDonald accept insurance?
No, T. A. (Tempest) McDonald does not accept insurance.
What types of therapy does T. A. (Tempest) McDonald offer?
T. A. (Tempest) McDonald offers therapy for individuals.
Does T. A. (Tempest) McDonald offer in-person appointments?
No, but people in Tennessee can book T. A. (Tempest) McDonald for virtual appointments (teletherapy).
Does T. A. (Tempest) McDonald offer online therapy?
Yes, T. A. (Tempest) McDonald offers online therapy via video sessions, phone sessions and live messaging sessions to people in Tennessee.
How quickly can I see T. A. (Tempest) McDonald?
T. A. (Tempest) McDonald typically can speak with new clients within 48 hours. You can see their current general office hours and request an appointment on their profile page.
What languages does T. A. (Tempest) McDonald speak?
T. A. (Tempest) McDonald conducts therapy sessions in English.
Can I book an appointment with T. A. (Tempest) McDonald online?
Yes, you can easily book an appointment with T. A. (Tempest) McDonald online using ChoosingTherapy.com’s directory.
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