About Cole Bankston

Hi, I’m Cole,

I believe that no condition is permanent. Change happens—sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. My role is to help you make sense of the chaos, find clarity, and build a life that feels meaningful.
I work with couples, individuals with personality disorders, and those healing from religious trauma. If you’re wrestling with big existential questions—I offer a space where you can explore them without judgment.

Education:

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in film, television, and video production, where my job was to create—sometimes compelling works of art, sometimes whatever got approved. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Film and Television Production from Watkins College of Art and Film and spent years shaping stories in a variety of mediums. But as I watched movements like #MeToo unfold and saw the mental health impact of COVID-19, I started wondering if there was a way to be useful.

I earned my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University, graduating with clinical honors (which I assume is good). During my training, I worked at Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministries, a halfway house supporting individuals recently released from prison. There, I helped people rebuild their lives, process past trauma, and adjust to a world that isn’t always thrilled to have them back. It was challenging, eye-opening, and solidified my belief that real change is possible—even when the odds are stacked against you.

Style:

I focus on the here and now, helping clients find balance and meaning in their lives—even if their current strategy is just hoping things magically work out. My approach pulls from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which is a fancy way of saying I use evidence-based techniques that actually work.

Therapy should feel like a place where you can be real—no pretending, no performing. I create a space that’s open, supportive, and inclusive of everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community. No matter what you’re bringing into the room, we’ll figure it out together.

Hobbies:

Outside of therapy, you can often find me at movie theaters, concerts, or art galleries, soaking in as much creativity as I can. I’m passionate about art and video and love exploring Nashville’s culinary scene—whether it’s hunting down the best new food spots or experimenting with new recipes at home.

Specialties:

Ages 14–60, Religious Trauma, Sexual Trauma, ADHD, Prison Population, Personality Disorders, and Relationship Issues.