Lavin Patrick, PhD, ABPP, CBSM in Chattanooga: Individual Therapy and Sleep Behavior Medicine for Adults
Dr. Patrick is a licensed psychologist offering individual psychotherapy and board-certified sleep behavior medicine in private practice, serving adults with mood, anxiety, trauma, and sleep disorders in the greater Chattanooga area.
What Dr. Patrick actually is
Patrick holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, is board-certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) in behavioral sleep medicine, and maintains Sleep Medicine Board Certification (CBSM). He operates an individual therapy practice focused on evidence-based treatment. The ABPP credential signals he has completed a written examination and demonstrated clinical competence in sleep behavior—a narrower and more defined scope than the general psychology license that permits any licensed psychologist to treat sleep issues. This distinction matters: sleep behavior medicine is specifically the non-pharmacological treatment of insomnia and related sleep disorders, not sleep medicine generally (which includes medication and medical diagnosis).
Services and pricing
The practice offers individual psychotherapy for adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, and related conditions, and specialized sleep behavior medicine, primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Specific pricing and session length should be confirmed directly; many private practices in the Chattanooga area charge $100 to $200 per session, with sliding scale or package options varying by provider. Insurance acceptance and copay amounts will depend on your plan. New patients should ask whether sessions are weekly, whether the sleep medicine work requires a full diagnostic assessment upfront, and whether treatment is time-limited (CBT-I is often structured as 6 to 8 sessions) or open-ended.
How Dr. Patrick compares to other Chattanooga therapy options
Chattanooga has a mixed landscape of therapists: large mental health agencies like Chambliss Center for Children and Families offer low-cost sliding-scale care but often have waiting lists and assign rotating clinicians; community mental health centers serve uninsured and Medicaid patients; private practices charge higher fees but typically offer continuity and specialized credentials. Choosing between them depends on your insurance, urgency, and need for specialization. If you have insurance and need ongoing individual therapy with a highly trained, board-certified psychologist, a private practice like Dr. Patrick's may reduce wait time and ensure consistency. If cost is the main concern, a community mental health center is more accessible. If you have sleep disorder symptoms (chronic insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, fragmented sleep) and want evidence-based behavioral treatment without medication, Dr. Patrick's CBSM certification is rare in the Chattanooga market and worth seeking out.
Who this suits and who it does not suit
Dr. Patrick's practice suits adults with anxiety, depression, or trauma seeking individual psychotherapy with a doctoral-level psychologist, and specifically adults with chronic insomnia who want cognitive-behavioral sleep medicine. It does not suit crisis patients (use an emergency room or mobile crisis line instead), children or families (the practice is adults-only), or patients requiring psychiatric medication as the primary treatment (Dr. Patrick does not prescribe; you would need a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner in addition). It also does not suit patients without some flexibility in schedule or willingness to pay out-of-pocket if insurance is not accepted or has no mental health benefit.
What the first visit involves
New patients typically complete a clinical intake, which usually takes 60 to 90 minutes and includes detailed questions about symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, current stressors, and treatment goals. For sleep behavior medicine, the intake includes a sleep history and often sleep diaries or questionnaires to assess insomnia severity. Bring insurance information and any previous mental health records if available. Ask on scheduling whether the practice offers teletherapy (many do) and whether there is a wait list for new patients.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Contact the practice directly to confirm office hours and location. Most Chattanooga private therapy practices operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours and some evening appointments; parking and accessibility details vary by location. If you have mobility concerns or other access needs, ask in advance.
Why this matters in Chattanooga
Sleep behavior medicine and board-certified sleep psychology are in short supply locally; most sleep care is routed through primary care or sleep medicine clinics focused on medical diagnosis and medication. A board-certified sleep behaviorist offers a rare, evidence-based alternative that complements or substitutes for medication and takes pressure off an overtaxed medical system.
