About Through the Fire Counseling in Tullahoma, Tennessee
Life’s hardest seasons don’t have to define you. They can refine you.
At Through the Fire Counseling, we believe that healing is possible, even in life’s most difficult seasons. Our practice is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee. We provide professional mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families. Our services address emotional, behavioral, and relationship challenges.
Whether you are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, or significant life changes, our goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where you can explore your experiences, develop healthier patterns, and move toward lasting change.
We recognize that meaningful healing often involves more than managing symptoms. It can mean addressing painful experiences, understanding long-standing patterns, strengthening relationships, and rediscovering hope.
Our approach combines professional clinical care with genuine compassion and respect for each person’s individual experiences, values, and beliefs. For those who desire it, Christian faith and spirituality can also be thoughtfully integrated into the counseling process.
Meet Our Counselors
David Cunningham, Ed.S., LPC-MHSP, NCC
Navy Veteran | Licensed Professional Counselor | Faith-Based Practitioner
Licensed in Tennessee | Counseling Compact Privileges: Ohio & Georgia
As the founder of Through the Fire Counseling, David Cunningham brings a combination of advanced clinical training, military service, and life experience to his work as a mental health counselor.
A United States Navy veteran, David understands the importance of perseverance, personal responsibility, connection, and finding purpose through life’s challenges. His experiences have shaped a counseling philosophy grounded in compassion, accountability, and the belief that difficult circumstances do not have to determine a person’s future.
David earned his Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University, where he developed a strong foundation in evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
His clinical work focuses on helping clients navigate concerns such as trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, emotional struggles, and relationship difficulties. David believes effective therapy extends beyond immediate symptom relief to address underlying experiences, beliefs, and behavioral patterns that may contribute to ongoing distress.
For clients who desire Christian counseling, David welcomes the thoughtful integration of biblical principles and spiritual perspectives alongside established clinical practices. He believes faith and professional mental health treatment can complement one another while respecting each client’s individual values and goals.
David approaches the therapeutic relationship with empathy, honesty, and a commitment to meaningful change. His goal is to help clients better understand themselves, develop healthier responses, strengthen relationships, and move forward with renewed confidence and hope.
Susana Rhodes, M.A., TLPC-MHSP
Air Force Veteran | Temporarily Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health Service Provider
Susana Rhodes earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, where she developed a strong foundation in evidence-based counseling approaches while also exploring the relationship between mental health, personal values, and spirituality.
Susana believes that every individual brings a unique combination of experiences, beliefs, strengths, and challenges into the counseling process. She strives to create a welcoming, compassionate, and respectful therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, understood, and supported.
Recognizing that emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being can be interconnected, Susana welcomes the opportunity to incorporate faith and spirituality into counseling for clients who desire that approach. However, she believes this decision should always reflect the client’s personal preferences, values, and comfort level. Clients from all religious, spiritual, and nonreligious backgrounds are welcome.
As a United States Air Force veteran, Susana brings a strong sense of service, dedication, and compassion to her work. Her military experience has reinforced her commitment to supporting others through life’s challenges and helping them pursue personal growth and meaningful change.
Susana is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based counseling that respects each person’s experiences while supporting their journey toward emotional wellness, resilience, and hope.
Our Approach to Therapy
At Through the Fire Counseling, we understand that no two individuals experience life’s challenges in exactly the same way. For that reason, we tailor counseling to each client’s needs and goals. Throughout treatment, we work together to develop a plan that supports personal growth and healing.
Effective therapy addresses more than immediate concerns. For example, it may explore past experiences, unhealthy patterns, and difficult relationships. As a result, clients can gain greater insight and work toward lasting change.
Our approach emphasizes:
- Evidence-Based Counseling: Utilizing established therapeutic methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and other research-supported interventions when clinically appropriate.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing how difficult experiences can influence emotions, beliefs, behaviors, relationships, and overall well-being.
- Individualized Treatment: Developing therapeutic goals and interventions that reflect each client’s circumstances, strengths, values, and needs.
- Collaborative Relationships: Creating a therapeutic partnership built on trust, open communication, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
- Faith Integration When Desired: Offering opportunities to incorporate Christian beliefs and spiritual perspectives into the counseling process without making them a requirement for treatment.
- Whole-Person Wellness: Considering the emotional, psychological, relational, physical, and spiritual factors that can influence mental health.
Our goal is not simply to help clients manage the challenges of today, but to equip them with greater understanding, practical tools, and healthier patterns that support lasting progress.
What We Help With
People seek counseling for many reasons. Some are experiencing a recent crisis, while others have struggled with difficult emotions, experiences, or relationships for years.
Through the Fire Counseling provides support for a variety of mental health and relational concerns, including:
- Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and persistent sadness
- Anxiety, excessive worry, and stress
- Addiction and substance-use concerns
- Anger management and emotional regulation
- Relationship and marital difficulties
- Grief, loss, and significant life transitions
- Self-esteem and personal growth
- Recurring patterns in thoughts, behaviors, and relationships
Whether you are seeking practical coping strategies, working through painful experiences, or pursuing deeper personal growth, counseling can provide an opportunity to develop insight, strengthen resilience, and move toward healthier emotional well-being.
You do not have to wait until life reaches a breaking point to ask for help.
Why “Through the Fire”?
The name Through the Fire Counseling is inspired by the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.
Faced with a fiery furnace because of their faith, these three men entered an overwhelming and dangerous situation. Yet, in the midst of the fire, they discovered they were not alone.
This account reflects the heart of our practice.
Life can bring experiences that challenge our sense of security, identity, relationships, and hope. Trauma, loss, emotional pain, and difficult circumstances can leave lasting effects, but those experiences do not have to define the rest of our lives.
We believe the counseling process can provide an opportunity to confront difficult experiences, discover new perspectives, develop healthier patterns, and find renewed strength.
Our name serves as a reminder that even life’s most painful seasons can become opportunities for healing, growth, and transformation.
Life’s hardest seasons don’t have to define you. They can refine you.
Our Mission
To provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health counseling that promotes healing, restores hope, strengthens relationships, and supports meaningful, lasting change. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that respects each individual’s experiences, values, and beliefs while offering faith-integrated counseling for those who desire it.
Take the Next Step
Seeking counseling is a meaningful step toward understanding yourself, addressing life’s challenges, and creating positive change.
Whether you are facing something difficult today or are ready to address experiences you have carried for years, Through the Fire Counseling is here to provide professional guidance and compassionate support.
Contact Through the Fire Counseling today to learn more about our services or request an appointment.