Tara Murphy in Chattanooga: Individual Therapy with Flexible Scheduling and Extended Sessions

Tara Murphy is an independent therapist operating a solo practice focused on individual counseling for adults, with availability outside typical 9-to-5 business hours and no waitlist for intake appointments.

What Tara Murphy's practice actually is

Tara Murphy runs a private counseling practice in Chattanooga that specializes in one-on-one therapy for adults. She is not part of a larger group or clinic system, which means scheduling is direct and does not depend on clinic availability or therapist rotation. She offers extended initial sessions and does not maintain a waitlist, meaning new clients can typically schedule their first appointment within 1-2 weeks rather than waiting weeks or months as is common at larger mental health centers in the area.

Services and fee structure

Murphy offers 50-minute individual therapy sessions at $120 per session. This rate is at the middle-to-lower end of Chattanooga's private therapy market; comparable solo practitioners in the area charge between $100 and $180 per session depending on credentials and specialty. She accepts most major insurance plans (verification of specific carriers recommended before booking), and clients can expect out-of-pocket costs to vary based on their individual deductible and copay structure. No sliding scale is offered for uninsured clients. Session length and frequency are customizable; many clients begin with weekly appointments and adjust downward after initial stabilization.

How it compares to other Chattanooga mental health counseling options

Chattanooga has several tier levels of counseling access. Large group practices like Kindred Healthcare and Community Mental Health Center offer more flexibility on insurance and often have sliding-scale fees, but they also manage high client loads and typically assign you to whoever has availability rather than letting you choose your therapist; waitlists for intake can exceed 4-6 weeks. Teletherapy platforms available nationwide (BetterHelp, Talkspace) offer lower cost ($60-$90 per session) and same-day or next-day scheduling but lack continuity if your assigned therapist changes and offer no in-person option. Murphy's model sits between: higher cost than national platforms, but direct access to the same therapist, faster intake than large clinics, and in-person care. Choose Murphy if you want a single, stable therapeutic relationship and can pay out-of-pocket or have insurance; choose a community mental health center if you need sliding-scale or Medicaid acceptance; choose a platform if cost is the primary constraint.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Murphy's practice is well suited to adults with stable insurance (or ability to pay out-of-pocket), who benefit from a consistent therapist, and who value evening or weekend availability. It is not appropriate for clients in crisis needing immediate intervention (psychiatry or inpatient care), those without insurance and no financial flexibility, or individuals whose primary need is psychiatric medication management rather than therapy alone. She does not treat couples or families in her current practice structure.

What the first visit involves

The initial appointment is typically 60-90 minutes and includes intake paperwork (history, medications, presenting concerns), assessment of immediate safety and risk, and a preliminary discussion of treatment goals and approach. This longer first session allows Murphy to establish a baseline understanding of your mental health history before regular 50-minute sessions begin. You should bring insurance information if applicable and be prepared to discuss your mental health history, current stressors, and what you hope to change in therapy.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Murphy's office is located in Chattanooga with evening appointment slots (typically available until 7 p.m.) and occasional weekend availability. Parking is available directly at the office. Confirm current hours and book appointments by phone or through her website before your first visit, as individual practices adjust availability seasonally and based on caseload.

Murphy's solo structure and short intake timeline make her a practical option for Chattanooga adults who know they need ongoing therapy and have the resources to access it without navigating waitlist delays or large-system scheduling constraints.