Forward Counseling is open at 503a Ligon Dr, Nashville. Get started today with one of our Nashville, Tennessee, providers by completing this form.
We accept most insurance and also provide you with the option to self pay if total discretion is preferred.

Pamela Bende, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Pamela Bende is a dedicated mental health professional with five years of experience guiding individuals through life's challenges. Her approach is built on compassion and evidence-based practices, ensuring every client feels heard, supported, and empowered. Specializing in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and a range of other mental health disorders, Pamela creates a safe space for personal growth and healing.
Originally from West Africa, Pamela has called the Nashville Area home for 11 years. She holds a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Chamberlain University and a Master’s degree from Walden University. In her free time, she cherishes moments with her family and enjoys cooking and traveling.
Pamela combines medication management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and trauma-informed care to tailor treatment plans to each individual's unique needs. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or seeking personal development, she is committed to fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
Passionate about the vital role of mental health in overall well-being, Pamela is driven by seeing clients gain clarity, confidence, and inner peace. She offers both telehealth and in-person sessions to accommodate diverse schedules, accepts multiple insurance/payment options, and is available for consultations. To schedule an appointment, please reach out via our website.

Ryan Pepperman, NCC
Ryan Pepperman has dedicated over a decade to the helping profession, driven by a deep commitment to supporting others in their mental, social, and emotional well-being. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas and an Ed.S. in School and Professional Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University. Ryan’s career began as a teacher, where his passion for guiding students through their personal challenges flourished, eventually leading him to become a School Counselor in Tennessee, where he has been making a difference for the past three years.
Originally from the West Coast, Ryan grew up in Las Vegas before moving to Dallas, Texas. After three years of working in Texas, he embarked on a transformative journey with the Peace Corps, serving in Malawi, Africa. His path then took him to Hong Kong before he and his family settled in East Nashville.
Outside work, Ryan enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter, traveling, exercising, reading, listening to podcasts and music, and watching movies.

Karen Grossman, LCSW
Karen is an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has a passion for helping her clients find fulfillment in their lives. Her strength is empathy, listening compassionately while creating a warm, comfortable space for clients to feel safe and be able to open up. She helps her clients reach their goals through an approach that blends self-acceptance with fostering change and growth. She is open-minded, nonjudgmental, and strives to be culturally competent.
Karen is skilled at helping older teens and adults of all ages who are dealing with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and various life transitions and stressors. Karen understands that everyone’s needs are different; she takes the time to get to know each client as an individual and to work with them to determine their specific goals.
With many years of experience as a therapist, she has a versatile skill set, utilizing techniques from Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Karen is also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, which is an effective treatment for PTSD. If you are struggling to deal with the ongoing effects of trauma, Karen would love to help you find relief from your distress.
Karen was raised in Baltimore, earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and has now lived in the Nashville area for 7 years. In her free time, Karen loves spending time with her family and her two dogs. She enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and enjoying all that beautiful Middle Tennessee has to offer.


