Thomas H. Cabell, Jr. MD | Keynote Speaker

Dr. Thomas Cabell is a practicing invasive cardiologist in the Nashville area whose work is shaped by a lifelong inquiry into health, performance, and first principles of human biology. From early on, his interests extended beyond the mechanics of the body to the deeper forces that govern adaptation, coherence, and resilience.Years into clinical practice, a personal crisis became a turning point—one that required him to look beyond reductionist models of disease and toward the intimate relationship between emotional life, nervous system regulation and physical expression. His work now sits at the intersection of story and natural law, integrating biophysical and circadian medicine with the lived human experience. Dr. Cabell is active in the mental health and biotechnology communities and has served on the medical advisory boards of several companies, including Psycheceutical Biosciences and BioRegenx. His focus is age optimization and mitochondrial medicine, grounded in the belief that longevity arises from alignment with the fundamental laws of physiology.

Justine Arel, MA-CMHC

Justine is a Staff Therapist at The Refuge Center and serves as the Coordinator of Continuing Education and Perinatal Support. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Justine is an approved provider with Postpartum Support International and is currently pursuing full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

She utilizes a person-centered, attachment-based, and holistic therapeutic framework to support clients across the lifespan. Justine holds the view that meaningful change is possible for everyone, especially with connection and support, echoing Dr. Curt Thompson’s insight: “The brain can do a lot of difficult things for a long time, as long as it doesn’t have to do it alone.”

Justine specializes in perinatal (postpartum) mental health, trauma and complex PTSD, grief and loss, life transitions, anxiety and depressive disorders, spirituality, and relational concerns. She integrates evidence-informed interventions tailored to each client’s needs and is trained in Perinatal Mood Disorders and Advanced Psychotherapy in Perinatal Mental Health.

Miriam Andersen, LPC-MHSP (temp.) MT-BC | Music Therapy

Miriam Andersen, LPC-MHSP (temp.) MT-BC, is a Staff Therapist and Music Therapist at The Refuge Center. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Bachelors of Music in music therapy from Belmont University.  Before working at The Refuge Center, she practiced as a board-certified music therapist for several years with survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and addiction.

Miriam is passionate about sitting with those whose stories include anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and trauma of any kind. Her desire is to partner with others in their journey of restoring hope, dignity, peace, connection, and respect. She uses an integrative, experiential approach and is known for her attentive, consistent nature. She is trained in S.A.F.E. EMDR and incorporates person-centered approaches to support her clients at The Refuge Center. These modalities include: music therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, internal family systems, self-compassion, dialectical behavioral therapy, and emotionally focused therapy.

Miriam firmly believes that people are capable of transformation and healing through being truly seen and known.

Donna Thompson, LPC-MHSP | Staff Therapist/Somatic Movement Therapy

Nancy Chou Keomany, LMFT | PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy)

Nancy is part of the Child and Teen Program at The Refuge Center as the Play Therapy and Parent Support Staff Member. She holds her Master’s Degree and is fully licensed  in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from Lipscomb University. She is a proud member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Nancy is passionate about working with people of all ages, especially kiddos and teens. Her areas of clinical focus include complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, attachment wounds, anxiety, and depression. She approaches her work with clients using experiential play. Nancy believes that everyone has what it takes to grow and heal when given a safe and supportive environment to do so. Nancy is trained in Emotion Focused Therapy, The Gottman Method and specialized in the Play Therapy track during her Master’s program.

Tara Dembowczyk, LPC-MHSP, NCC | OCD Education and Interventions