About Us
Connection Therapy Group was founded with a vision of creating a counseling practice where clinical excellence and meaningful human connection could exist together.
Connection Therapy Group was founded by Dr. Michael Christian with a vision of creating a counseling practice where clinical excellence and meaningful human connection could exist together. From the beginning, the goal was to provide a place where individuals, couples, and families could receive thoughtful, high-quality care in an environment that felt both safe and relational.
As the practice began serving the Middle Tennessee community, Connection Therapy Group developed a reputation for addressing not only immediate emotional struggles, but also the deeper relational patterns, life experiences, and personal challenges that often shape long-term healing. Over time, the practice expanded to meet a growing range of needs, offering counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, compulsive sexual behavior, betrayal trauma, and personal growth across different stages of life.
What has remained central throughout the development of the practice is the belief that counseling is most effective when
Our History
people feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported while also being guided with clinical skill, wisdom, and intentional care.
Today, Connection Therapy Group continues to build on that foundation under the leadership of Joy Conklin, while Michael Christian continues to serve the practice as Clinical Director and Senior Advisor, providing ongoing clinical leadership, consultation, and support as the practice continues to grow.
This continued growth includes the expansion of specialized services such as trauma-informed care, compulsive sexual behavior recovery, betrayal trauma treatment, therapeutic groups, intensives, and workshops designed to provide both depth and practical support for individuals, couples, and families.
While the practice continues to evolve, its core purpose remains unchanged: to provide a place where healing is approached with professionalism, compassion, and meaningful connection.
Looking Forward
01
Integrated Care
Providing thoughtful care for individuals, couples, and families
03
Treatment Services
Offering group therapy, workshops, and intensive treatment options
05
Care from the Heart
Serving the community with integrity, professionalism, and compassion
02
Deeper Support
Expanding specialty services that meet complex clinical needs
04
Healing & Connection
Supporting both emotional healing and relational restoration
Main Goal
The goal remains to offer counseling that helps people move toward greater clarity, stronger relationships, and lasting personal growth.
Milestones
2010
Name Change
The brand changed
from “Intimacy Seekers” to Connection Therapy Group (CTG).
1990
Relocated to Ohio
CTG relocated to Ohio for a few years
2020
New Location
CTG opened a second location in middle Tennessee - Mt. Juliet
1999
Relocated to Tennessee
CTG relocated back to middle Tennessee under the name of "Intimacy Seekers"
2026
Change of Ownership
Joy Conklin hired as the new owner. Dr. Michael Christian still holding the Clinical Director role