Welcome

Thank you for your interest in seeking psychological services through my private practice located on Broad Street in Chattanooga.  To learn more about me, please visit the following pages: About Me and Training. At this site you will also find a description of my clinical interests, types of therapies offered, a list of insurance plans currently accepted, directions to our building, and new patient forms.  For physicians, there is also a printable form to aid the referral process.  Please do not hesitate to contact me or our office staff if you have additional questions. 

Treatment Philosophy

It is my desire and goal to view every person as a unique individual deserving of both respect and of caring, compassionate treatment regardless of the issues for which therapy is sought and regardless of a person’s age, gender, race, cultural identity, sexual orientation, faith or station in life.

Many times, what some consider to be a “mental health” issues is simply the way in which a person has learned to cope with very difficult circumstances.  The problem is that, at times, our coping strategies are just not good ones and cause further problems.  For example, problematic behaviors or “symptoms” such as feeling depressed or anxious are better understood as an attempt by the body and/or mind to protect itself.  In this example, what is labeled as anxiety is actually a physiological response to perceived threat.  Regardless of whether symptoms are viewed as genetically-based or as a learned response due to environmental stressors, one’s responses to the condition (and coping strategies) are still by nature similarly protective.  Keep in mind, however, that such protective strategies may prove to be self-destructive for other areas of our life.  Thus, positive coping strategies must be learned and begin to take the place of the harmful ones.

Given the protective nature of symptoms, then, one primary goal of therapy is to better understand the circumstances (root) of any problematic behavior or emotion in order to work toward resolution of the root cause so that the protective response can be resolved or redirected in order to achieve the highest level of functioning possible.  This may best be accomplished through a change in circumstances or perspective, new appreciation for the self (such as strengths and weaknesses and how to deal with these compassionately) and/or learning new, productive and non-harming strategies for optimal functioning. 

Medications

While medications can help alleviate symptoms, it often does not address the underlying or root cause and, therefore, may not offer lasting solutions.  However, the use of medications can be helpful with certain conditions to temporarily “turn down” symptom levels so that therapeutic work may proceed more quickly and easily.  Further, research bears out that medication alone provides inferior results to therapy alone, but the mixture of the two can provide the quickest recovery for some disorders.  Finding a psychiatrist who is friendly and is willing to consistently listen to your concerns is very important.

Solace Eating Disorder Clinic

I am also co-owner of Solace Eating Disorder Clinic, which is an intensive outpatient program treating adolescents and adults suffering from anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Feel free to contact  the clinic at 423-752-5207 for further information regarding admissions or visit our website at SolaceEatingDisorderClinic.com.

Appointments and Office Hours

To make an appointment, please contact Administrative Assistant Patsy Broom via telephone at (423) 508-8200 or email at patsybroome@gmail.com.  Please take the time to download new patient forms at this site and bring completed forms to your first appointment. 

Appointments are schedule for Dr. Hickman on Mon. and Tues. from 9 am - 9 pm and Wed. from 9 am - 1 pm. Thus, non-urgent messages left on Thursdays or Fridays may not be returned until the following Monday (next business day).  However, emergency contact numbers are provided.