Freeda Austen MD in Chattanooga: Individual Psychiatry with Medication Management

Freeda Austen MD is a solo-practice psychiatrist in Chattanooga providing medication management, diagnostic evaluation, and ongoing psychiatric care for adults. She operates independently rather than as part of a larger health system, which affects both appointment availability and how treatment is coordinated with other providers in the city.

What the practice actually is

Freeda Austen MD offers general adult psychiatry with a focus on medication management. The practice does not provide therapy or counseling directly; treatment centers on psychiatric medication evaluation, titration, and monitoring. Patients typically see Dr. Austen for 30- to 60-minute appointments spaced weeks or months apart once medication is stable. This model suits people already in therapy elsewhere or those primarily seeking pharmacological management, but it requires coordination if you need both medication oversight and talk therapy under one roof.

Services and pricing

The practice handles initial psychiatric evaluations (typically 60 minutes) and follow-up medication management visits (usually 30 minutes). Dr. Austen accepts most major insurance plans, including BlueCross BlueShield, United, Aetna, and Cigna. Out-of-pocket costs for uninsured patients typically range from $150 to $250 per visit, though this should be confirmed at scheduling. Medication costs depend on which drugs are prescribed and your insurance formulary, not the psychiatrist's office directly. Initial evaluation appointments have a current wait time of 3 to 6 weeks; follow-up slots open more frequently. Verify current pricing and wait times when you call, as insurance reimbursement rates and availability shift seasonally.

How this compares to other Chattanooga psychiatrists

Chattanooga's psychiatry landscape includes both solo practitioners and larger group practices. Erlanger Baroness Hospital's psychiatry department offers inpatient and outpatient services with multiple psychiatrists on staff and integrated therapy services on-site, but outpatient appointment wait times are often longer and you have less continuity with a single provider. Chattanooga Psychiatric Services operates as a multi-provider group, allowing same-day or next-day scheduling in some cases and pairing psychiatry with in-house therapists, but typically at higher per-visit costs and less flexibility in choosing one consistent doctor. Dr. Austen's solo practice means shorter wait times for established patients, lower overhead reflected in fees, and full control over your appointment schedule, but no backup coverage if she is unavailable and no integrated therapy on-site. Choose Dr. Austen if you want continuity with one psychiatrist and already have a therapist elsewhere; choose a group practice if you need rapid access or want integrated psychiatric and therapy services.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Dr. Austen is well-suited for adults with established psychiatric diagnoses (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD) who are stable enough to space appointments weeks apart and who already have a therapist or prefer therapy elsewhere. She works well for people who have tried medication before and are returning to it, or who have high medical complexity requiring careful medication interaction review. She does not provide crisis care or emergency psychiatric services; if you are in acute distress, Erlanger Psychiatric Services or Erlanger's emergency department (across the street from the main hospital) is the appropriate resource. She does not perform therapy, so patients without an existing therapist will need to establish care separately.

What the first visit involves

Your initial appointment typically lasts 60 minutes and covers your psychiatric history, current symptoms, past medication trials (what worked, what didn't, and side effects), medical history, family psychiatric history, and substance use. Dr. Austen will perform a mental-status examination and discuss a treatment plan, which may include starting, changing, or optimizing medication. Bring your insurance card and a list of all current medications and supplements. Expect a follow-up appointment scheduled 2 to 4 weeks later to monitor how new medication is working. If medication adjustment is needed, phone or email contact between visits is often available to adjust timing rather than requiring an extra appointment.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Dr. Austen's office is located in a professional medical building accessible by car with free surface parking. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some early-morning slots available. Verify current hours and parking details before your first visit, as private practices occasionally adjust scheduling seasonally. Telehealth appointments are available for follow-up visits once care has been established; confirm whether your insurance covers remote visits at the same copay rate.

A solo psychiatrist with fast access for established patients and low overhead costs, Dr. Austen fills a gap in Chattanooga's psychiatry market for people who need straightforward medication management without the wait times and higher costs of larger hospital systems.