About

Learn about us.

Optimal brain health is vital to everyone’s mental wellness journey. At the NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Centers we developed a unique, personalized approach in treating all aspects of behavioral health. Our practice is founded on three fundamental beliefs: (1) We DO NOT give up on our patients, there is always hope; (2) individuals should not settle, if you are not feeling your mental best, there are personalized solutions available; and (3) evidenced-based treatment options, genetic testing, and a stellar team of advanced mental health professionals can achieve positive mental wellness.

Visit our Locations page to see where your Clinician works.

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Meet your team.

Our team of behavioral health experts has more than 125 years of combined experience. We treat the full spectrum of mental health conditions with clinical expertise in areas such as neuromodulation, LGBTQ+ issues, cancer support, treatment-resistant mental health conditions, thoughtful pharmacology, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), nasal Esketamine (Spravato®) treatment, Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT), traditional behavioral health treatment, and much more.

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Michelle Cochran, MD,
DLFAPA, FCTMSS

Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Medical Director, Nashville Locations

Dr. Cochran made Nashville, TN her home over 25 years ago. A graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, she chose Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville to complete her residency (Chief Resident). Dr Cochran's early passion for advancing the treatment and awareness of brain health led her to establishing the Nashville Center for Hope & Healing, and a comprehensive insurance-based clinic NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Center which now has four locations.

As a renowned TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) leader both nationally and internationally, she remains dedicated to the advancement of care for Treatment-Resistant Depression. She says, “mood disorders may be difficult to treat, but there is always hope to achieve wellness for patients because there are so many options now.”  In addition to founding these centers, Dr. Cochran loves to help advance the TMS field and because of this she developed the curriculum used in the Clinical TMS Society’s acclaimed PULSES courses and is the Course Director.  She has been honored to be inducted as a Fellow in the Clinical TMS Society (FCTMSS) for her leadership and work in the society.  She is active in the Tennessee Psychiatric Association as the upcoming President, and in the American Psychiatric Association (APA) serving on its Assembly.  She has received the APA Distinguished Lifetime Fellow designation (DLFAPA), and has been appointed the Chair of the Caucus on Neuromodulation . Dr. Cochran is married with two adult sons and a rescue dog. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and drawing.

Jonathan Becker, DO

Medical Director, Brentwood Locations

Dr. Becker is a native of Tennessee, born in Memphis. He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Developmental Psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans before attending Des Moines University for Medical School. He completed his psychiatry residency program at Vanderbilt University and served as a faculty member there for seven years before transitioning to our office. While at Vanderbilt, Dr. Becker served as the medical director of the neuromodulation service from 2017-2020. Dr. Becker has also published many psychiatric articles.

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Brent Necaise, MD

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi, and medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2018, Dr. Necaise moved to Nashville to complete his psychiatric training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During the past four years in Nashville, he has decided to make Middle Tennessee home.

Dr. Necaise has specialized training in treating multiple treatment-resistant mental health conditions through medication management and neuromodulation, as well as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and Esketamine. Additionally, he has a passion about offering hope and an improved quality of life to a diverse patient population including Nashville's LGBTQ+ population with acceptance, compassion, and celebration. He received additional training on providing specialized treatment and evaluation for gender dysphoria, including gender affirming hormone treatments.

Dr. Necaise is seeing patients at the East Nashville location.

Ryan Oakley, MD

After moving to Tennessee for training in 2018, Dr. Oakley is now a permanent Nashvillian transplant. He completed his undergraduate degree in the intensive Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame and received his medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he accumulated four years of experience with thoughtful pharmacotherapy and was certified in both ECT neuromodulation at Vanderbilt Behavioral Health and Professional Mindfulness Facilitation at Vanderbilt's OSHER center.

He is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. He has experience in–and continues to be interested in– TMS, as well as improving the quality of esketamine/Spravato® treatment by being thoughtful about setting and preparation, as well as augmenting the treatment with psychotherapy. He is excited to provide recovery-focused, collaborative, and personal agency-driven mental healthcare to patients at our East Nashville location.

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Eveleigh Wagner, MD

Board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Eveleigh Wagner, received both her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Medicine from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She then moved to Nashville, and completed a psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Following residency she became board certified and joined the Mount Auburn Psychiatric Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts specializing in psychopharmacology, as well as, Women-Focused and Geriatric Psychiatry. In 2022, Dr. Wagner returned to Middle Tennessee, and joined the NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Center team in the Franklin Road, Brentwood location. Doctor Wagner's professional interests include helping patients with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and using interventional treatments to help treatment resistant patients (TMS and Esketamine). She enjoys working with patients to help create treatment plans that meet their individual goals.

Jessica Merritt, MD

Child Psychiatrist, Bio coming shortly!

Scheduling New Patient appointments starting mid-August now!

Jessica Merritt MD
Elizabeth Shultz DO

Elizabeth Shultz, DO

Dr. Elizabeth Shultz has made Middle Tennessee her home for over a decade after bouncing around the midwest states to complete her training. She finished her undergraduate degree at Indiana University Bloomington, Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at Kansas City University in Missouri, and Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Being married to a musician and wanting relief from lake-effect snow, Nashville was a natural next stop. For over ten years, she grew to love medical education, patient care, neuromodulation, and serving marginalized populations through her work and many varied roles at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Through the transition to private practice and joining the team at Neuroscience & TMS Treatment Centers, she continues engaging her love for high-quality patient care and innovative treatments in a flexible environment, while maintaining a voluntary faculty position at VUMC to continue giving back to the next generations of physicians and psychiatrists.  Dr. Shultz currently sees patients at our Belcourt Avenue location.

Alexandria Gold, PMHNP-BC

Lexi Gold is a ANCC Board Certified (Lifespan) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).  She is from Southeastern Massachusetts and received her initial undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. After graduation, Lexi began her career in psychology as an outpatient caseworker working in the Boston area caring for clients in the community with chronic mental illnesses.

Following in the footsteps of her mom (and role model), Lexi pursued a nursing degree and returned to her alma mater to complete their accelerated BSN program in 2017.  In February of 2019, Lexi accepted a position in Vanderbilt’s Nurse Residency program and made the move to Nashville. During her four years at Vanderbilt, she specialized in the treatment of adults diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders as well as all co-occurring disorders. In 2020, she began her MSN at Frontier Nursing University in Versailles, Kentucky. Lexi continued to gain nursing experience at Vanderbilt while pursuing her masters degree and graduated with her PMHNP in November 2022. Since 2013, Lexi’s goal has been to work as a nurse practitioner helping care for those who suffer with psychiatric disorders, and she is thrilled to join the Neuroscience & TMS Treatment Center.  

Lexi Gold
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Rose Vick, PhD, PMHNP-BC

Rose Vick is a skilled ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan). Rose received her MSN from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 2007 and her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Arizona in 2018. She has worked within large interdisciplinary oncology teams at Norton Cancer Institute in Louisville, KY, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.

She has extensive experience providing psychiatric services to cancer patients as they navigate diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. She has a passion for supporting individuals through the psychological, physical, and existential issues that arise as a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. She is an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and teaches in the PMHNP and DNP programs and is a peer reviewer for Neuroscience Education Institute.

Kim Jones, PMHNP-BC

Kim Jones is an experienced ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She received her Post Master’s Certificate as a PMHNP from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 2013 and has practiced in both community mental health and private practice settings since that time. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Kim graduated from the University of Illinois with a Master of Science in Nursing and practiced as ANCC Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner for over twenty years in a variety of settings including pediatrics, family practice, and community health.

Kim has enjoyed mentoring the future generation of nurses and has precepted Advanced Practice Nursing students from the University of Tennessee, Belmont University, and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She also teaches the Professional Boundaries course at the Center for Professional Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Kim has a passion for mental health, people, and serving the community's need for more psychiatric healthcare providers. She feels a holistic approach (body, mind, and spirit) is important on the journey to mental health and well-being. Kim has experience working with clients with Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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Melissa Schneider, PMHNP-BC

Melissa Schneider is a ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, Across the Lifespan) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She received her MSW from The University of Pittsburgh in 2016 and MSN from Vanderbilt University in 2022. Melissa has worked with children, teenagers and adults in inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health care settings. She has experience treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD.

 

Melissa is dedicated to her patients and will work with you to find a treatment plan that is specific to your needs and future goals. 

Melissa strongly believes that mental health treatment should be a combination of therapy and medication management, as well as identifying the root cause of symptoms. She has joined a fellowship through the Integrated Psychiatry Institute, so she is aware of a variety of treatment options instead of strictly pharmaceuticals. She has a deep love for dogs and believes they have a profound ability to improve one's mental health. She plans to incorporate the use of therapy dogs in her practice and have her Golden Retriever, Gus, work alongside her. 

Hillary Osborne, PMHNP-BC

Hillary Osborne is an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan). Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Hillary pursued her undergraduate degree in psychology at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. She obtained her MSN from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in August 2018. Hillary has worked largely in community mental health settings allowing her to gain a wide variety of knowledge and experience with various psychiatric disorders and populations. Hillary has a passion for mental health and works as an active advocate for the clients she serves. She applies a holistic approach to mental health treatment, integrating the mind, body, and spirit, working towards overall individual success.

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Marshall Fife, PMHNP-BC

Marshall Fife is an experienced ANCC Board Certified (Across the Lifespan) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). He received both his Bachelors and Masters from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 2017. He has practiced psychiatry in a diverse range of settings, and patient populations including child, geriatric, adult, residential, inpatient, high acuity, addiction detoxification, and incarceration.

 

Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Marshall graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a Bachelor in Neuroscience, Integrated Physiology, and a minor in Nutrition. During his undergraduate years, he took part in research in addiction, impulsivity, and inflammation but ultimately chose to pursue a clinical role which led him to the field of psychiatry. Marshall utilizes both his undergraduate and postgraduate education in his patient care and while he enjoys caring for all, he is honored to help find treatment options for highly refractory, complex, and difficult-to-treat patient illnesses.

Alexandra Harlan, PMHNP-BC

Alexandra Harlan is a ANCC Board Certified (Lifespan) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Originally from West Tennessee, Alexandra graduated from Rhodes College with a degree in English literature and history. After graduation she decided to follow in her mother and sister’s footsteps and become a nurse. She graduated from Union University’s accelerated nursing program in 2017 with a BSN degree. After graduation she moved to Nashville and began the nurse residency program at Vanderbilt.

Alexandra previously worked in Med Surg Units and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before pursuing her passion for psychiatric nursing. During her time working on the inpatient unit at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, she specialized in child and adolescent care.  Alexandra graduated from Union University’s MSN program in 2022 and obtained her PMHNP degree.  Alexandra is thrilled to be part of the Neuroscience & TMS treatment team and care for patients.

Alexandra Harlan
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Melissa Norris, PMHNP-BC

Melissa Norris is an ANCC Board Certified (Lifespan) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She graduated from Motlow State Community College nursing program in 2011 with a ASN degree. She received both her Bachelors and Masters from Chamberlain University College of Nursing in 2023. Melissa has experience in a diverse range of patient populations including adolescents, geriatric, adult, inpatient, incarceration, addiction, and high acuity from many years of working in many Middle Tennessee psychiatric hospitals.

 

Victoria Formosa, PMHNP-BC

Victoria Formosa is an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan). Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Victoria obtained her undergraduate degree in nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2015. After graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Nashville and began working at the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. Here, she provided care for individuals in active psychiatric crises in both inpatient and emergent care settings, ranging from pediatric to geriatric with diverse mental illnesses. She obtained her MSN from University of Alabama at Birmingham in August 2023. Victoria has a passion for mental health and is excited to join the Neuroscience & TMS Treatment Center’s team.

Victoria Formosa
Kelsey Bilbrey

Kelsey Bilbrey, PMHNP-BC

Bio coming soon!

 

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Therapists

See our amazing team of highly experienced and Licensed therapists on our therapy and Team Evaluation site, Nashville Center for Hope & Healing  Click Here to View!

  • Michael DeMarco, LPC-MHSP, NCC
  • Angela Muterspaugh, LMFT
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Physician Recommended.
Patient Preferred.

Dr. Cochran at The Neuroscience and TMS center has served as my psychiatric care physician for the past 5 years. I have made tremendous progress while seeing her. She is attentive, thorough, and professional. I refer her to everyone I know in need of psychiatric care because I trust her and her staff completely. I am very thankful to be a patient of the Neuroscience and TMS center.

-CL

This hands down is the BEST doctor’s office I've ever been to. Not just on a psychiatric level, but just a medical setting in general. I love Dr. Becker and I'm beyond grateful that I found him. He is very personable and just one of the easiest people to talk to. And the front desk is great too and that goes a long way! So yes, 5 stars! I recommend this to anyone who needs to find a good and relaxed environment for psychiatry.

-MM

Mary is wonderful. She understands my medical condition and truly cares. She listens and comforts you in time of need. She is a true human being and doesn’t treat you like a number. She is very professional and knows her stuff.

-AC

Ali was amazing. We have searched for help for years for our son. It was nice for her to listen but then give great advice!! We are in the process of implementing her parenting plan and It is not easy but we can already see a difference!!

-ER

This was a great treatment for me. I have completed TMS therapy numerous times b/c I keep getting better and better. I suffered a traumatic brain injury and was steered towards TMS and it has helped me tremendously…This team knows what they are doing and I’m happy I had the opportunity to do this.

-JP

The staff are 100% committed to the clients’ health and well-being. They find solutions tailored to the individual’s needs and goals. If I could leave 10 stars, I would. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-HH

Everyone from Dr. Becker on down has done an outstanding job. Professional and caring that is hard to find in medicine today and you guys provide both!! And, Emily is a real gem as the TMS tech.

-EPC, MD [VUMC]

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Learn more on our blog.

We strive to educate, empower, and inspire patients to help them lead happier, healthier lives. Check out our blog for news and helpful information, expert tips, answers to some of your most frequently asked questions, and much more.

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