Les Kertay PhD in Chattanooga: Individual Therapy and Executive Coaching for Working Adults

Les Kertay PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist in Chattanooga offering individual therapy and executive coaching, with an emphasis on treating anxiety, depression, grief, and work-related stress in professionals and entrepreneurs. His practice operates as a boutique solo operation, distinct from clinic-based group practices and allowing extended session time for clients who need deeper exploration in a consistent therapeutic relationship.

What he actually offers

Kertay holds a PhD in clinical psychology and works within the therapeutic and coaching framework, meaning his sessions blend elements of structured mental health treatment (appropriate for diagnosable conditions) with performance and life coaching for clients facing career transitions, leadership challenges, or personal development goals. He is not a psychiatrist and does not prescribe medication; referrals to a prescribing physician are made when psychiatric evaluation is needed alongside therapy. His practice accepts clients aged 18 and older and does not provide couples or family therapy.

The distinction between therapy and coaching matters here. Therapy addresses mental health symptoms; coaching addresses goals and performance. Kertay's background allows him to move between both within the same client relationship, meaning a therapy client working through anxiety about a promotion can simultaneously explore the work habits and mindset shifts needed to succeed in that role. This is less common in larger practice settings, where therapy and coaching are often separated.

Services and pricing

Individual therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes and cost $190 per session (verify this figure directly, as out-of-pocket rates can shift). Kertay does not accept insurance; payment is due at each session. This out-of-pocket-only model is increasingly chosen by solo practitioners to reduce administrative overhead and give clients discretion over their care without insurance authorization delays.

Executive coaching sessions follow a similar 50-minute format and range from $190 to $250 per session depending on scope and client engagement level; many coaching clients book package rates or recurring monthly commitments. This pricing is competitive within Chattanooga's solo practitioner landscape but substantially higher than community mental health centers like Evergreen Center (which offers sliding-scale therapy at $20 to $65 per session for low-income clients) and lower than larger corporate coaching firms serving regional clients.

How this compares to other Chattanooga counseling options

Chattanooga has three distinct tiers of therapy and coaching availability.

Community mental health centers like Evergreen Center and Centerstone offer reduced-cost therapy on a sliding scale and accept most insurance plans, making them essential for clients with limited finances or insurance coverage. Waiting lists are common, often 4 to 8 weeks. These are the right choice if affordability is primary or if psychiatric medication management is needed on-site.

Mid-size group therapy practices (such as some practices affiliated with local hospitals) offer faster scheduling, insurance acceptance, and a choice of therapists, but sessions are typically 45 minutes, administrative staff handle intake, and therapists often carry larger caseloads. Wait times are typically 1 to 3 weeks.

Solo practitioners like Kertay trade insurance acceptance and lower cost for flexibility, extended session time (50 minutes is standard), continuity with one therapist over years, and the ability to blend therapy and coaching or tailor the approach to the individual without protocol constraints. Solo practitioners typically have shorter waitlists and availability within days to 2 weeks, though they cannot absorb urgent referrals the way larger practices can. This model suits clients with the means to pay out-of-pocket, a preference for stability with one provider, and specific treatment or coaching goals that benefit from sustained, personalized attention.

Who this suits, and who it does not

Kertay's practice is best for working professionals and entrepreneurs with sufficient income to pay out-of-pocket, a degree of flexibility in their schedule (he accommodates some early morning or evening sessions), and a preference for longer-term individual relationships with a single provider. Clients with diagnosed anxiety or depression, grief, adjustment issues, or career and leadership questions are typical.

This practice does not suit clients in acute crisis, those who need same-day or walk-in crisis support, those on tight budgets or reliant on insurance, families needing multiple-person therapy, or those who require on-site psychiatric medication management. For these needs, Evergreen Center, Centerstone, or Erlanger Hospital's behavioral health services are more appropriate.

What to expect on the first visit

Initial consultation is typically 50 minutes and includes a clinical or coaching history, an assessment of what brought the client in, and a brief discussion of how Kertay's approach might fit the work ahead. If this feels like a match, ongoing sessions are scheduled weekly, every other week, or monthly depending on the client's preference and goals. Clients pay at each session; insurance receipts can be provided for out-of-network claim submission if the client wishes to pursue partial reimbursement from their plan.

Hours, location, and logistics

Kertay's office is located in the Signal Mountain area of Chattanooga. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, roughly 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some evening availability; specific hours and holiday schedules should be confirmed directly. Parking is available on-site. He typically responds to new client inquiries within one business day.

Kertay earns inclusion in Chattanooga's mental health guide because he represents a distinct service model: the specialized solo practitioner who extends session time, blends therapy and coaching, and prioritizes continuity of care over rapid throughput or insurance billing. For clients with the resources to access him, this model often delivers outcomes that larger, faster-moving settings cannot.