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Vanessa Cirulli
About
Many of the adults I work with have spent years feeling like they were living by a rulebook no one handed them. My own path has given me deep respect for how hard that can be. I'm Dr. Vanessa Cirulli, a Tennessee-licensed psychologist with over 14 years of clinical experience, and I took the scenic route to get here: teaching, writing scripts for the History Channel, living and working in Europe and Asia, and spending time on a sustainable farm in Italy. Those experiences taught me there are many ways to move through the world, and I'm here to help you better understand yours.
Many adults come to an evaluation after years of wondering, questioning, and feeling unseen. I chose this work because I believe everyone deserves the chance to understand themselves with clarity and compassion. I see evaluation as an act of care: a chance to replace confusion and self-doubt with language, insight, and a fuller appreciation of who you are.
I view neurodivergence as a natural part of human diversity, and I bring that perspective into every part of the evaluation. From our first conversation, I prioritize building a warm, genuine connection so you can feel comfortable being yourself. You are the expert on your own experience, so the process is collaborative: I explain each step, welcome your questions, and adjust to your needs along the way. Rather than focusing only on challenges, I pay close attention to your strengths, interests, and the ways you've adapted and thrived. Our feedback session centers on the goals that brought you to the evaluation, and my recommendations are tailored to those goals. I also love sharing practical resources I've gathered over the years. My hope is that you'll leave with a fuller understanding of yourself and a sense of hope for the path ahead.
