Finding care for depression in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama

If you need help now

Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. In a life-threatening situation, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Each state’s crisis lines are on our state help lines page.

1. Choose where to start

A primary care provider. NIMH says a primary care provider can do an initial mental health screening and refer you to a mental health professional. Many primary care practices now have behavioral health built in, often called integrated care or collaborative care. The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality describes it as care delivered by a team in the primary care office, with specialty care when you need it. The VA and Defense Department’s depression guideline recommends this kind of care for people treated in primary care.

A therapist. You can go straight to a psychologist, licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist for psychotherapy.

A prescriber. Psychiatrists and psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners can prescribe and manage medication. So can primary care doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, according to SAMHSA.

2. Learn the depression therapies NIMH names

NIMH says depression care typically involves psychotherapy, in person or virtual, medication, or both. It names these therapies:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), which NIMH calls evidence-based therapies for depression.
• Psychodynamic therapy, used for a limited time, which NIMH says may also help some people.

The VA and Defense Department’s 2022 depression guideline suggests offering one of these, in no ranked order:

• acceptance and commitment therapy
• behavioral therapy or behavioral activation
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• interpersonal therapy
• mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
• problem-solving therapy
• short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy

If a therapist lists one of these, ask them to describe what a session looks like. If they list none, ask what approach they use and why.

3. Decide how much support you need

SAMHSA describes several levels of care:

• Outpatient: appointments where you leave the same day.
• Intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization: several hours of treatment on several days a week.
• Inpatient: an overnight stay in a hospital or treatment program for a few days or weeks.
• Residential: living at a treatment program, usually for a few weeks to a few months.

SAMHSA’s FindTreatment.gov lets you search certified facilities by location and type of care.

If therapy and medication haven’t helped enough

NIMH says that when psychotherapy and medication don’t reduce symptoms enough, brain stimulation therapy may be another option. The two most used are electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These are offered by psychiatric clinics and hospital programs, usually after a psychiatric evaluation. Ask a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner whether you’d be a candidate and where it’s offered near you. Most insurers need approval before rTMS.

During and after pregnancy

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7: call or text 1-833-852-6262. Our perinatal and postpartum guide covers specialists, support groups and the free consultation lines your doctor can use.

4. Choose telehealth or in person

NIMH says psychotherapy for depression can be effective in person or virtually by telehealth. The therapist has to be licensed in the state where you are during the session.

5. Work out how you’ll pay

Most health plans cover outpatient therapy and medication management for depression. Our insurance guide explains how, and our EAP guide covers free counseling through work. Community clinics that see anyone regardless of ability to pay are listed on our state help lines page.

6. Search LunahUP and your city

As of November 5, 2026, these LunahUP profiles list depression as a focus:

Many more providers treat depression than list it, because most profiles come from public records and don’t show specialties yet. Search your city too.

7. Ask these questions

Along with the general first-call questions in our fit guide, NIMH suggests:

• “What experience do you have treating depression?”
• “How do you usually treat it?”
• “How long do you expect treatment to last?”
• “Are you able to prescribe medication, or will you work with someone who can?”
• “How will we track progress?”

SAMHSA also suggests asking whether the provider is taking new patients and, if not, whether there’s a waitlist.

The short version

• Start with primary care, a therapist or a prescriber. Many primary care offices now have behavioral health built in.
• NIMH names CBT and interpersonal therapy as evidence-based for depression.
• Therapy for depression can work in person or by telehealth.
• Intensive outpatient, inpatient and residential care exist when weekly therapy isn’t enough.
• The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is 1-833-852-6262.
• In a crisis, call or text 988.