George N. Fincher, MD in Chattanooga: Individual Psychiatry for Adults and Adolescents

George N. Fincher is a psychiatrist in private practice in Chattanooga who evaluates and treats mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions in adults and adolescents, with a focus on medication management within the context of longer-term care.

What this practice actually is

Fincher operates as a solo psychiatrist, not as part of a group clinic or hospital system. His practice is centered on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation followed by ongoing treatment, primarily through medication management combined with clinical assessment. The practice accepts new patients selectively and serves a mix of self-referred and referred clients from primary care physicians and other specialists across the Chattanooga area.

Services and appointment structure

Initial evaluations typically include a full psychiatric history, review of current symptoms, substance and family history, and a physical assessment relevant to psychiatric treatment. This appointment usually lasts longer than a medication-only follow-up visit. Subsequent appointments focus on monitoring medication effectiveness, side effects, and adjustments based on clinical response.

The practice does not provide psychotherapy or counseling directly; Fincher coordinates care with therapists and counselors in the Chattanooga area when additional behavioral health support is clinically indicated. Patients whose primary need is talk therapy or counseling are typically referred to other providers. Insurance acceptance varies; verify coverage before scheduling, as some plans require pre-authorization for psychiatric visits or may classify them at a different cost-sharing tier than primary care.

Pricing for psychiatric visits varies based on insurance status. For cash-pay patients, session costs tend to range from $150 to $250 for initial evaluations and $100 to $150 for follow-up appointments, though fees should be confirmed directly. Many insurance plans cover psychiatric care at standard office-visit copays ($20 to $50 depending on plan design), but deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums apply as with any specialist visit.

How this practice compares locally

Chattanooga has several paths for psychiatric care. Community mental health centers such as Cornerstone of Recovery and other nonprofit agencies offer sliding-scale therapy and psychiatric services for lower-income patients and those without insurance; these centers typically have longer wait times but lower out-of-pocket costs. Hospital-affiliated psychiatrists through Erlanger Health System and Parkridge Health System are available but often operate in team-based clinics and may not accept new established patients as readily as private practitioners.

Choose Fincher's practice if you want continuity with a single psychiatrist over time, flexibility in scheduling (private practices often have fewer wait times than community centers), and preference for medication-focused care with coordinated therapy elsewhere. Choose a community health center if you are uninsured, have low income, or need integrated counseling and psychiatric care in one location. Choose hospital-affiliated psychiatry if you have complex medical needs requiring coordination with other specialists on-site.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

This practice suits adults and adolescents who have already identified a need for psychiatric medication evaluation and management, whose insurance or financial situation allows for private-practice fees, and who are comfortable with a referral model for therapy (meaning they will see a separate counselor or therapist). Patients with active substance use disorders or those in crisis may be better served by intensive outpatient programs or emergency services.

The practice does not provide crisis intervention; patients experiencing suicidal thoughts or acute psychiatric emergency should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) or go to an emergency department. The practice does not offer group therapy, intensive outpatient programs, or hospitalization.

First appointment and logistics

New patients should expect to spend 60 to 90 minutes at an initial evaluation. Bring a photo ID, insurance card (if applicable), and a list of current medications and supplements. The clinician will ask about psychiatric history, family mental health background, medical conditions, and current stressors or symptoms. Bring any prior psychiatric records or medication trial history if available, as this informs treatment planning.

Fincher's office location and exact parking details should be confirmed directly with the practice when scheduling, as private psychiatric practices do not always have dedicated lots; street parking or building-shared facilities are typical. Appointment availability for new patients can run several weeks ahead, so contact the office early if you are referred by your primary care doctor.

Hours of operation vary; call the practice for current availability and whether it offers evening or weekend slots, which is useful for working patients.

A psychiatrist with established patients and selective new-patient intake is a durable choice for adults seeking long-term medication management and coordinated care across multiple providers, a model that many patients in Chattanooga find more flexible than large group clinics.