Parkridge Health System has opened a new outpatient mental health care location.
The Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center is an initiative aimed at improving individuals’ overall quality of life.
The clinic, which opened last month, will provide individual, family and group therapy, Kristin Smith, a licensed professional counselor, said in an interview.
In individual sessions, a patient usually sees a therapist once a week for a time period decided by the client and therapist, Smith said. Group therapy allows for people with similar circumstances to talk in a group setting about what they’re facing, with a mental health professional.
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Patients who may benefit from inpatient or intensive outpatient mental health programs can receive those as part of a collaboration with Parkridge Valley Hospital, according to a news release.
Virtual and telehealth sessions are accessible to accommodate work and school schedules, according to a news release.
The benefits of those services are to learn better coping mechanisms for and to alleviate symptoms, Smith said.
“I think sometimes getting something off of your chest helps improve the symptoms, and really just having sort of a professional to bounce ideas off of as far as solutions,” she said.
Accessing the clinic
To access the clinic, make a referral by calling 423-680-5595 or visiting parkridgehealth.com/mhtc. The therapy center offers evaluations and treatment plans for conditions including depression, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
The clinic is open-ended, as it just opened, Smith said. Therapists can see patients with any mental health condition.
Effective, compassionate counseling services are available for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older, according to the news release.
“If you’re sort of struggling with symptoms of sadness or worry or grief, you can call us, and we can get you in really quickly to see one of our therapists to sort of talk through that,” Smith said.
While people are doing better at considering mental health as part of one’s overall well-being, it still takes a back seat sometimes, Smith said.
The sooner a person can be seen, the better, she said.
“If you have to wait even a month for an appointment, you know, your symptoms could worsen, or you may be less inclined to actually come in and talk about them,” she said.
Who should visit the clinic?
– People who have experienced trauma
– New parents or caregivers struggling to adjust to life changes following the birth of a child
– Mothers experiencing postpartum issues
– People who have experienced grief and loss
Source: Kristin Smith, licensed professional counselor
Smith said it’s not unusual for clinics to schedule patients quickly after their requests for sessions, as there are several resources in Chattanooga. However, many practices are busy.
By visiting Parkridge’s therapy clinic, a patient is entered into the hospital’s system, and its faculty will take care of the whole person, Smith said.
“Because it’s Parkridge-affiliated, the patient would have access to our full continuum of care, whether that’s medical care or higher level of behavioral health care,” she said.
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A CORNERSTONE
Dr. Krikor Jansezian, the chief executive officer of Parkridge Valley Hospital, said via news release the addition of the therapy center represents the hospital system’s commitment to making mental health programs more accessible and strengthening the health of the community.
“Mental health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, and by providing accessible therapy services right in our community, we are helping to ensure that no one has to face their struggles alone,” he said.
The therapy center is at 961 Spring Creek Road, Suite 202, Chattanooga.
Contact Leah Hunter at lhunter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.
Staff photo by Abby White / A “Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center” sign is seen Jan. 24, 2025, at the main entrance of the facility. The Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center recently opened as an outpatient mental health care location behind Parkridge East.