Britt Riddle
she/her
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (KY)
D.Min., M.Div., LMFT
My WHY—The Personal Story
It took years for me to admit to myself that I have an over-responsive nervous system—I feel deeply and intensely, and my fight/flight/freeze response is always ready to protect me, even when I don’t need it. In some ways, this serves me well. In many ways, this is exhausting.
A few years ago, I found myself feeling professionally burned out. While I found deep meaning in my work as a minister, the hours and pace were not sustainable for my nervous system—or my spirit. I was working 7 days/week most weeks, was tired all of the time, and the smallest of tasks started feeling overwhelming. I felt anxious, tearful, resentful, and dissociated from my body.
I knew something had to change—my nervous system needed a slower pace. After much discernment about how I could still work with people in ways that felt meaningful, I decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in therapy. I worked to recover from burnout and compassion fatigue (and explored how I got there in the first place), and began re-orienting my life rhythms in ways that feel sustainable and peaceful.
A Little More About Me—The Professional Version
Originally from Louisville, I moved back to pursue a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Prior to becoming a therapist, I received a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree and served as a minister in congregations in South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky.
My experience as a progressive ordained minister gives me a unique perspective when working with people who are exploring issues related to spirituality and meaning-making—especially clergy and other helping professionals, women, LGBTQIAP+ individuals, and those who have been excluded or harmed by religious institutions. I do not provide religious-based therapy, but I do bring an understanding of organizational systems, spiritual formation, grief and end-of-life issues, the significance of finding meaningful spiritual practices, and religious/spiritual trauma and church hurt to my work as a therapist—and am comfortable talking about any or all of these as part of your therapy, if desired.
During the early COVID-19 pandemic years, I completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and 500-hour Certified Meditation Teacher training to learn new ways to regulate my own nervous system as every previously familiar routine suddenly felt unfamiliar and unsettling. I continue to practice mindfulness meditation regularly, and I love sharing how mindfulness can decrease nervous system activation and increase emotional regulation.
I am an introvert and find meaning (and nervous system regulation) in asking deep questions of myself and others, writing, sharing stories, spending time with friends, and creating mosaic art.
Education
Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy (MAMFT)
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, VA
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Furman University
Certificate in Somatic Embodiment & Nervous System Regulation Strategies
Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Trained in Levels 1 & 2 of Gottman Method Relationship Therapy
PREPARE/ENRICH Certified Facilitator Training
(Pre-marital counseling)Emotionally Focused Therapy Informed
Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) Informed
500-HR Certified Meditation Teacher (CMT)
200-HR Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT)
Additional Training
I value simplicity, creativity, curiosity, and connection.
Simplicity. Practicing simplicity invites me to let go of non-essential things in my life—the things that may distract me and take energy away from the things I most want to do and the ways I most want to be. Simplicity allows me to make space for what really matters—emotionally, spiritually, time-wise, and energy-wise.
Creativity. We often associate creativity with artists, but engaging a holistic, creative mindset enhances our ability to innovate, problem-solve, adapt, and be flexible. Creativity unblocks old patterns or habits of thinking, embraces non-linear thinking, generates new perspectives, and expands our empathy.
Curiosity + Connection. Curiosity and connection are interwoven values for me. I find meaning in asking deep questions of myself and others, and it is this curiosity that draws me into mindful connection—the energy that exists when we feel seen, heard, and valued. As an introvert, I feel most connected to myself and others when writing, creating, and sharing life stories.
Britt’s Values
“Light,” Britt Riddle, 2022
Recycled Glass Mosaic