Psychiatrist in Nashville

June 15, 2026

Psychiatrists are physicians, holding either an M.D. or a D.O. degree, which sets their care apart from that of psychologists, counselors, and therapists. Because they are medical doctors, psychiatrists can evaluate the physical and biological factors behind mental health conditions, order and interpret laboratory work, and prescribe and manage medication. In Nashville, Tennessee’s largest city with a population of roughly 715,388 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), a growing population and an active health care sector have expanded the range of psychiatric practices available to residents seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and related conditions.

Choosing a psychiatrist usually means deciding what kind of care a person needs. Many people see a psychiatrist primarily for medication management, sometimes in coordination with a separate therapist, while other practices combine medication with psychotherapy under one roof. A number of Nashville practices also offer interventional treatments for conditions that have not responded to standard medication, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine). Telepsychiatry has become widely available since 2020, allowing established and new patients to meet with a psychiatrist by secure video rather than traveling to an office, which can be useful for follow-up medication visits.

In Tennessee, psychiatrists are licensed and regulated through the Tennessee Department of Health. Physicians with an M.D. are overseen by the Board of Medical Examiners, while those with a D.O. are overseen by the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Both boards set the standards for licensure, continuing education, and professional conduct, and both maintain public license-verification tools. Many psychiatrists also carry board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a voluntary credential that reflects additional examination and training beyond basic state licensure. Consumers can confirm that a physician holds an active, unrestricted Tennessee license, and review any disciplinary history, through the Department of Health’s online license lookup before scheduling an appointment.

Consumers in Nashville have several protections when selecting and paying for psychiatric care. The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which addresses deceptive or unfair business practices, and complaints about a physician’s professional conduct can be directed to the appropriate licensing board within the Department of Health. Patients should ask in advance about fees, insurance participation, and whether a practice files claims directly, since some psychiatry practices operate on a private-pay or out-of-network basis. The information below is intended as a general overview and not as medical advice. Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency should call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.

Top Psychiatrist Providers in Nashville

1. Nashville Mind Matters

Address: 1900 Church Street, Suite 305, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 284-3850
Website: https://josephmsharpe.com
Services: psychiatric evaluation, medication management, psychotherapy, adult psychiatry
Description: Nashville Mind Matters is the private practice of Joseph M. Sharpe, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist. Dr. Sharpe graduated from the University of Tennessee, Memphis medical school in 1999 and completed his psychiatry training at Duke University, where he served as chief resident of the Duke inpatient service. Beyond his practice, he has served as a psychiatric medical director within the Ascension St. Thomas system in Nashville. The practice provides psychiatry, psychotherapy, and medication management for adults dealing with a broad range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar spectrum illnesses, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, and sleep disorders. Initial evaluations are scheduled as 60-minute appointments, with follow-up visits running 30 or 45 minutes, an approach that allows time for both diagnosis and ongoing treatment adjustment.

2. Nashville Child and Family Wellness Center

Address: 85 White Bridge Road, Nashville, TN 37205
Phone: (615) 238-9100
Website: https://nashvillefamilywellness.com
Services: child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, medication management, individual and family therapy, psychiatric assessments, neurofeedback, telehealth
Description: Nashville Child and Family Wellness Center is a physician-led psychiatry and therapy practice serving children, adolescents, and adults. Its psychiatrists include Susanna Quasem, MD, and Sarah Grayce, MD, both of whom treat patients across the age spectrum, supported by a team of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. The practice maintains two Middle Tennessee locations, the Nashville office on White Bridge Road and a second office at 103 Forrest Crossing Boulevard, Suite 103, in Franklin, which makes it accessible to families across the metro area. Services include psychiatric assessments, medication management, individual and family therapy, and neurofeedback, and the practice offers virtual sessions in addition to in-office visits. Its combined focus on younger patients and adults makes it a practical option for families seeking coordinated care across generations.

3. Healthy Minds

Address: 2001 Glen Echo Road, Suite 115, Nashville, TN 37215
Phone: (629) 294-4520
Website: https://psychiatrynashville.com
Services: psychiatry, medication management, individual therapy, ketamine therapy, Spravato
Description: Healthy Minds is a Nashville psychiatry practice located in the Green Hills area that emphasizes evidence-based treatment and works to match each patient with an appropriate medication regimen through regular follow-up and adjustment. In addition to standard psychiatry and medication management, the practice offers individual therapy and interventional options for patients whose symptoms have not responded to conventional treatment, including ketamine therapy and Spravato (esketamine). The practice reports accepting several major insurance carriers, including Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare, and maintains an additional Middle Tennessee presence with a Franklin location. The combination of routine medication management and interventional services within one practice can simplify care for patients who may benefit from more than one type of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychiatrist in Nashville

Q: What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist in Nashville?

A psychiatrist is a physician with an M.D. or D.O. degree who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medication, and in many cases provide psychotherapy. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology and typically provides assessment and talk therapy but does not prescribe medication in Tennessee. Many people work with both, seeing a psychiatrist for medication management and a psychologist or licensed counselor for ongoing therapy.

Q: How do I verify that a Nashville psychiatrist is licensed?

Psychiatrists in Tennessee are licensed through the Tennessee Department of Health, with M.D. physicians overseen by the Board of Medical Examiners and D.O. physicians overseen by the Board of Osteopathic Examination. The Department of Health offers an online license-verification tool that lets you confirm a physician holds an active, unrestricted license and review any disciplinary history. Many psychiatrists also hold board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, which can be confirmed separately.

Q: What conditions do psychiatrists in Nashville commonly treat?

Psychiatrists treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and sleep disorders. Because psychiatrists are physicians, they can also consider how physical health, medications, and laboratory findings may relate to mental health symptoms, which is one reason a psychiatric evaluation often begins with a detailed medical and personal history.

Q: Do Nashville psychiatrists offer telehealth appointments?

Many Nashville psychiatry practices offer telepsychiatry, allowing patients to meet with a psychiatrist by secure video for evaluations or follow-up medication visits. Availability varies by practice and by the type of visit, since some treatments, such as TMS or in-office injections, must be done in person. It is best to confirm directly with a practice whether telehealth is available for your specific situation and whether your insurance covers virtual visits.

Q: What are TMS and Spravato, and where can I find them in Nashville?

TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, and it is often used for depression that has not responded to medication. Spravato (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray administered under medical supervision for treatment-resistant depression. Several Nashville psychiatry practices offer one or both of these interventional treatments alongside standard medication management.

Q: What should I do during a mental health emergency in Nashville?

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24 hours a day, or call 911 for immediate help. These resources are appropriate for urgent situations and are separate from scheduling a routine appointment with a psychiatrist. This article is informational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.