The Mission of the Psychiatric Medical Services Clinic

The mission of the Pastoral Counseling Centers (PCCT) includes a commitment to comprehensive clinical services available to all.  The Pastoral Counseling Centers seeks to provide care for the whole person; this includes body, mind, spirit, and relationships.  In close collaboration with the other services of PCCT, the Psychiatric Medical Clinic provides psychiatric assessment and treatment with psychiatric medications for adult members of our community. 

Do you have medication services in all of your locations?

No, currently medication services are provided only in our Vine Street Location in Nashville.  We hope that we will be able to expand the service to include availability in our other centers in the future.

Which members of your staff are able to prescribe medication at PCCT?

The medication services are currently provided by our medical director, Dr. Kirk Barton, who is a licensed psychiatrist.  Eventually the medication services clinic will be staffed by psychiatric nurse practitioners who will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Barton and they will be able to prescribe and monitor medications.

Who can be seen for medication at PCCT

The psychiatric medical services clinic of PCCT is open to anyone who feels they may benefit from treatment.  At PCCT, medication is seen as only one part of a holistic treatment plan.  We believe that medication alone is not a substitute for any of the following: 

Acknowledgment and exploration of troublesome emotions or circumstances,

The moderation or elimination of troublesome behaviors,

Improving communication or cooperation with important people in one’s life,

Resolving toxic relationships with others,

Making difficult life choices and following through with these decisions,

Carrying out thoughtful multi-step plans,

Keeping to a reasonable regular schedule,

Doing consistent hard work under difficult circumstances,

Possessing a moral conscience,

Possessing a willingness to be perplexed by oneself,

Being supported from within,

And growing in maturity in order to be a more effective adult.

All Clients seen in the Medical Services Clinic will be required to take responsibility for these aspects of personal mental health in order for treatment with psychiatric medication to be initiated or to be continued.  If you are struggling with any of these personal mental health responsibilities, it would be the privilege of the Psychiatric Medical Clinic to refer you to the appropriate mental health professional for additional assistance.  We believe that comprehensive mental health treatment is the best mental health treatment.

 What are the Fees for the Medical Services Clinic?

The Psychiatric Medical Services Clinic has a regular fee of $160 for an initial evaluation (60 minutes) and $45 for a regular follow-up session (15-20 minutes). Additional fees apply to other services.  We are not currently "in network" for insurances, and we are not medicare or TennCare providers.  However, we do help clients file their insurance if their insurance includes out-of-network benefits.  Payment is due at the time of service by cash, check, or credit card.  In keeping with standard psychiatric clinic practices, we ask for a credit card to be kept on file for payment security.  The Medical Services Clinic of PCCT is committed to helping clients regardless of their financial situation.  If you have special financial considerations or needs, please feel free to discuss these issues with us when calling for an initial appointment.  Because of the generosity of many churches and individuals, we are able to offer a limited amount of financial assistance for clients of the Medical Services Clinic.

Initial Evaluation Paperwork

Clients coming for their initial evaluation can click HERE to download the medical services paperwork. Please complete this paperwork and bring it with you to your evaluation. (Note: these are NOT the forms that you  need for your first session of counseling.)