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Get to know Agape
Agape Youth Behavioral Health was built on a simple but profound belief: that every child deserves care as attentive and loving as the care you'd give your own family. The name says it all — agape, the unconditional love that sees a person fully and meets them where they are.
Dr. Ken Pittman recognized years ago that the Chattanooga region had a critical gap in pediatric behavioral health services. He didn't just see a need — he answered it. What started as a vision for quality child psychiatric care has grown into a multi-location practice serving children and families across the region, a growth driven not by marketing, but by outcomes families could actually see.
The mission is clear: reach children early, before mental health challenges derail their development. Half of all mental health disorders show their first signs before age 14, yet fewer than 1 in 5 children with diagnosable conditions ever receive treatment. Agape exists to change that statistic — one child, one family at a time.
At Agape, the promise to families is woven into every interaction. It's in the nurse who returns calls promptly between appointments. It's in the front desk staff who greets every child by name with a smile. It's in the psychiatrists who sit with a child long enough to actually build rapport before asking a single clinical question.
The promise is integrated care — psychiatry, therapy, and medication management working together under one roof, with a team that communicates. It's expert diagnostics for ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and beyond, paired with a wide range of therapies from CBT to play therapy to expressive arts. It's social skills groups where kids find others who get them.
Most of all, the promise is this: we will not give up on your child. Families come to Agape after years of searching for the right fit. They stay because the care is personal, consistent, and it works.
"They have given me my grandson back." That's the promise kept.
The clinicians and staff at Agape didn't choose this work by accident. They chose it because they believe childhood is too important to leave to chance — and because the right relationship between a provider and a child can quite literally change the trajectory of a life.
You'll find that here. Therapists who walk alongside a child for years, not just sessions. Psychiatrists who learn the whole kid — their quirks, their humor, their fears — before they ever talk treatment. A nursing team that acts as a lifeline between appointments, because they know a worried parent can't always wait until next Tuesday. Front office staff who remember your name, your child's name, and that you sometimes forget your appointments (no judgment).
This is not a revolving door practice. The people here are invested — in your child's progress, in your family's peace of mind, and in the kind of long-term relationships that make real healing possible.
Our Team
Our therapists and staff are at the heart of everything we do. Each member of our team is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable being themselves. With a blend of professional expertise and genuine compassion, we take the time to understand every child’s unique needs and work closely with families every step of the way. We believe meaningful progress happens through trust, patience, and connection, and our team is dedicated to helping each child grow with confidence.
CONTACT
Phone Number for all locations:
Fax Number for all locations:
Chattanooga, TN Areas (East Brainerd, Hixson, Lee Hwy, Cleveland)
SOCIAL
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