Tallahassee, Florida Therapists

Overview of Mental Health Resources in Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee in Leon County is the capital of Florida.  It is the home of the Florida State Capitol, Supreme Court of Florida, Florida Governor’s Mansion, and almost 30 state agency headquarters.  The city is known for its great number of law firms, lobbying establishments, trade associations, and professional associations, including the Florida Bar and Florida Chamber of Commerce.  It is also the headquarters to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory as the city is a regional center for scientific research.  The population was 191,049 in 2017 according to the U.S. Bureau, making it the 7th-largest city in Florida.  It is the largest city in the Panhandle region.  It is the key center for trade and agriculture in the Big Bend and Southwest Georgia regions.  2015 was the second year that the city was awarded the All-American City Award by the National Civic League. For the period of 2009 to 2013 and according to the U.S. Census, the estimated median household income was $39,524. The number of people living below the poverty level was estimated at 30.2%.  The top employers of the area are the State of Florida and Florida State University.  Tallahassee is home to many diverse entertainment venues.  Railroad Square Art Park is their arts, culture, and entertainment district.  It displays locally owned shops, studios, and an alternative art scene.

Tallahassee has an area of 98.2 square miles (254.3 km2).  The city has a humid subtropical climate.  There are long summers and short, mild winters.  Summer highs are hotter in Tallahassee than in the rest of the Florida peninsula.  The city has been detrimentally impacted by hurricanes.  In 1985, Hurricane Kate and, in 2016, Hurricane Hermine have struck Tallahassee directly.   Category 4 Hurricane Michael swept through in early October, 2018.  This record-breaking storm left the entire grid of 117,000 customers without power for days.  There was extensive rain and wind damage.

City Concerns

The rate of suicide in Florida increased 10.6 percent from 1999 to 2016.  The Mental Health Council of the Big Bend announced on March 13, 2018 that it is joining together with more than 20 local mental health providers to address the current issues.  They have seen an 8 percent increase in the Baker / Marchman Acts (an involuntary commitment to hospitalization) since the Parkland shootings.  Leon County residents reported a perceived stress score of 15.3 out of 20 in the Council’s self-reported stress ratings.  This is higher than the 13.2 national mean.  The mental health providers and organizations do not match the prevalence of mental illness in this community and do not reach all of those who are in need of services.  Another note of concern in the city is the increase in prescription drug use and misuse in addition to the resulting turn to heroin when the prescriptions run out.  Major health organizations in Tallahassee filed a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies on April 4, 2018 and this legal pursuit is still on-going.  The damage by the recent assault by Hurricane Michael has left much of the city without power for days, limited relief efforts due to downed trees on the roads, and lack of communication putting the community in many forms of crisis.

The rate of divorce in Florida in 2016 was 3.9%.  The U.S. rate was 6.9% in the same year, according to the National Vital Statistic Report.

There are approximately 124 psychologists, counselors, and licensed social workers in Tallahassee and an estimate of 24 treatment centers.   There are approximately 77 psychiatrists in the city.

How We Can Help

You have a resource here to help you find a partner to assist in your mental and emotional well-being.  You do not need to feel alone in this decision.  We recommend that you write down your symptoms, your concerns, how long you have been experiencing them, and what you would like to achieve through counseling.  This will help you be better prepared in choosing the right therapist for you.  Many therapist and providers will offer a complementary consultation, so you can interview them and find the best support for yourself.

Crisis Intervention

2-1-1 Big Bend provides emergency services for suicide prevention and for those in crisis due to Hurricane Michael.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress.  They provide prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.  Available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

Nonprofit Organizations

The Apalachee Center provides mental health treatment, emotional support, and substance abuse recovery for residents of Leon County.

The Henry & Rilla White Youth Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that provides mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and targeted case management.  They specialize in working with troubled children and their families.

Lee’s Place is a nonprofit organization that offers sliding scale services to all individuals suffering from grief, loss, and trauma.  They serve children, teens, and adults adjusting to loss, trauma, or life changing experiences.

National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tallahassee offers supportive, educational classes for parents and caregivers of children ages 5-17 who have mental health issues.

Centerstone is one of the nation’s largest providers of community-based behavioral health services that offers treatment for a diverse category of mental health symptoms and illnesses.  They serve children, adolescents, adults, seniors and families.  They provide group, individual, couple and family counseling, crisis solutions, psychiatric services, and medication management.

Hospitals

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare offers comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatments for adults and children.  They also provide emergency psychiatric evaluations for anyone experiencing a serious mental health crisis.

The Behavioral Health Center at Capital Regional treats adults 18 and older.  They offer inpatient and outpatient therapies.

Choosing to receive support for strengthening your mental health is a courageous effort.  We hope that our directory make that effort easier and want to help you find the best provider for your needs.  We wish you well as you make your path towards a positive change.