Practical support for managing stress
Animal-assisted therapy, stress management coaching, and simple tools to help you return to calm.
Meet Dr. Whitworth and her therapy dog, Navy.
Stress happens.
What matters is how you respond.
For over 40 years, I’ve seen my therapy patients push through stress, thinking they need to “try harder” to relax. But that’s not how our minds and bodies work.
The truth is, you can’t fight stress. It’s an inevitable part of being alive.
You just need better ways to respond to it. That’s exactly what I help with.
From biofeedback machines to therapy dogs…
I began teaching relaxation with biofeedback machines in 1990, attaching electrodes to patients’ foreheads to help them learn to manage stress.
Then, in 2011, I introduced therapy dogs to my practice. My first therapy dogs, Boon and Rain helped patients accomplish in seconds what took hours with machines.
This helped me see that stress management isn’t about forcing techniques that don’t work for you, just because that’s what everyone says to do. Instead, I’m here to help you pause, reset, and manage stress in ways that align with your real life.
Meet the pack
Dr. Pamela Whitworth, PhD
Licensed psychologist, mom, dog lover, and avid walker
I help people navigate anxiety, ADHD and depression, PTSD, autism/neurodivergence, and stress-related challenges using cognitive behavioral therapy and simple stress management guidance.
I got my PhD in Counseling and Psychology at St. Louis University, and I’ve had a small private therapy practice in Knoxville, Tennessee for around four decades.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me walking around Knoxville, spending time with my kids when they’re in town, or throwing a ball for Navy at the park
Navy
Ball-obsessed therapy dog and loyal service animal
Navy is an Irish setter and certified therapy dog who works as hard as she plays. She earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate at 3 years old, and attends therapy sessions in addition to serving as my support animal.
Navy has a special skill of seeing when I’ve gotten too stressed and need to take a “paws.” She comes up to me with her ball and we’ll play for a few minutes. She’s great at stress management.
When Navy’s off duty, she’s the best goalie you’ll ever meet and loves running at the park. You’ll see her featured in my newsletter, The Paws 🐾 and on my blog.
