Psychiatrist in Chattanooga
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June 15, 2026
Psychiatrists are physicians, holding either an M.D. or a D.O. degree, which distinguishes them from psychologists, counselors, and therapists. As medical doctors, psychiatrists can assess the physical and biological factors behind mental health conditions, order and interpret laboratory work, and prescribe and manage medication. In Chattanooga, a city of roughly 185,783 people as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) at the southern edge of East Tennessee, residents have access to psychiatric practices that treat depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and related conditions, from established private offices to clinics offering advanced treatments.
Selecting a psychiatrist usually depends on the kind of care a person needs. Some people see a psychiatrist mainly for medication management, often alongside a separate therapist, while other practices pair medication with psychotherapy in the same office. Several Chattanooga practices also provide interventional treatments for conditions that have not responded to standard medication, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and, at some clinics, Spravato (esketamine). Telepsychiatry, in which patients meet a psychiatrist by secure video, is widely available for evaluations and routine follow-up visits, though treatments such as TMS must be performed in person.
In Tennessee, psychiatrists are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health. Physicians with an M.D. are overseen by the Board of Medical Examiners, and 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 hold board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a voluntary credential reflecting additional examination and training, and some hold subspecialty certification in areas such as child and adolescent psychiatry. Before scheduling, consumers can use the Department of Health’s online license lookup to confirm that a physician holds an active, unrestricted Tennessee license and to review any disciplinary history.
Chattanooga consumers have several protections when choosing 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, while complaints about a physician’s professional conduct can be directed to the appropriate licensing board within the Department of Health. Because some psychiatry practices operate on a private-pay or out-of-network basis, patients should ask in advance about fees, insurance participation, and billing. 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 Chattanooga
1. Comprehensive Psychiatric Care
Address: 7161 Lee Highway, Suite 400, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 708-8670
Website: https://cpc7161.com
Services: psychiatric evaluation, medication management, individual, family, and couples therapy, care for children, adolescents, and adults
Description: Comprehensive Psychiatric Care, PLLC is a Chattanooga psychiatry and therapy practice established in August 2015. Its psychiatrist, Dr. Cassandra Simms, MD, is board-certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, which allows the practice to treat patients across the full age range. The clinical team also includes board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, one of whom is dually certified in psychiatric and family practice nursing, along with a licensed clinical social worker. The practice provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management together with individual, family, and couples therapy, giving patients the option of receiving medication care and talk therapy within a single practice. Its combination of physician-led psychiatry across age groups and in-house therapy makes it a practical option for families.
2. Radial Chattanooga
Address: 9448 Bradmore Lane, Suite 210, Ooltewah, TN 37363
Phone: (423) 376-7500
Website: https://www.meetradial.com
Services: adult psychiatry, medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagus nerve stimulation, interventional psychiatry
Description: Radial Chattanooga is an interventional psychiatry practice located in Ooltewah, in the greater Chattanooga area, led by Dr. MaryEllen Eller, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in treatment-resistant mental illness and interventional psychiatry. The practice focuses on patients whose symptoms have not improved with standard medication, offering transcranial magnetic stimulation using both traditional and advanced protocols, along with noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation, in addition to conventional medication management. The practice has also indicated plans to add Spravato (esketamine) and electroconvulsive therapy to its services. Its concentration on neuromodulation and treatment-resistant conditions makes it a resource for patients who have already tried medication and are looking for additional, medically supervised treatment options.
3. Chattanooga Behavioral Alliance
Address: 7155 Lee Highway, Suite 300, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 648-9290
Website: https://chattbehavior.com
Services: psychiatry, medication management, child and adolescent psychiatry, therapy, EMDR, substance use treatment, psychological evaluations
Description: Chattanooga Behavioral Alliance is a multidisciplinary mental health practice whose providers include Kevin Ferguson, MD, a psychiatrist with more than 30 years of experience who has practiced in Chattanooga since the early 1990s and specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry. The team also includes a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, and licensed clinical social workers, allowing the practice to combine psychiatric medication management with several types of therapy. Services span crisis intervention, mood and anxiety disorder treatment, grief and trauma care, EMDR therapy, substance use treatment, and psychological evaluations, including assessments for ADHD and pre-surgical clearance. The breadth of disciplines under one roof gives patients access to coordinated psychiatric and therapeutic care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychiatrist in Chattanooga
Q: What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist in Chattanooga?
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 and a psychologist or licensed counselor for ongoing therapy.
Q: How do I verify that a Chattanooga 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 to confirm a physician holds an active, unrestricted license and to review any disciplinary history. Many psychiatrists also hold board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, which can be verified separately.
Q: What conditions do psychiatrists in Chattanooga commonly treat?
Psychiatrists treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, trauma, and, in some practices, substance use disorders. Because psychiatrists are physicians, they can consider how physical health, other medications, and laboratory findings relate to mental health symptoms, which is why a psychiatric evaluation usually begins with a detailed medical and personal history.
Q: Do Chattanooga psychiatrists offer telehealth appointments?
Many Chattanooga 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 visit type, since treatments such as TMS must be performed 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 interventional psychiatry, and where can I find them in Chattanooga?
TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation, and it is often used for depression that has not responded to medication. Interventional psychiatry is a broader term covering medically supervised treatments such as TMS, vagus nerve stimulation, and Spravato for treatment-resistant conditions. At least one Chattanooga-area practice focuses specifically on these treatments alongside standard medication management.
Q: Does a psychiatrist treat children and adolescents in Chattanooga?
Some Chattanooga psychiatry practices treat children and adolescents, often through a psychiatrist with subspecialty board certification in child and adolescent psychiatry, while others focus only on adults. Families should confirm a practice’s age range and whether a child and adolescent specialist is available when scheduling, since the minimum age served can differ from one office to another.
Q: What should I do during a mental health emergency in Chattanooga?
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, 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.