Peninsula Behavioral Health – Alcoa

If you actually need care I’d recommend going probably anywhere else. Even with an existing diagnosis and history of being prescribed medication, they’ll make you jump through endless hoops and go to multiple different… appointments with multiple different people, try to push you to try different meds, and overall just make it a whole ordeal. People seeking mental healthcare shouldn’t have to wait over a month and attend multiple interrogations to get something as simple as ADHD meds. In their effort to combat “drug-seeking”, this facility is completely failing their patients, and making the already difficult process of getting help a nightmare.

The receptionists there have always been super kind and helpful. The issue with calling is that it's 1 hotline for all of the Peninsula Outpatient locations. It's darn near impossible to call and speak to someone that… actually works in this office, and it's not the receptionists; it's because you can't get anyone to transfer you to them. The easiest way to get a message to them for meds or otherwise is to drive all the way there. They also have ridiculous restrictions. They would give me blood pressure medicine for my ADHD, but no stimulants for adults, especially if you don't have a "real job" (housecleaning and raising kids doesn't count apparently). Kids can get them prescribed, but they have to take regular drug tests - which would be fine, except they don't offer them IN office. So you have to go somewhere else for that. It also seems like a lot of the good psychiatrists there were leaving. Thomas Fife is a 10/10 therapist though. He is the reason I couldn't bare leaving less than 4 stars. He's a fantastic listener and you can tell he genuinely cares about his patients and providing the best care. I would highly recommend him to anybody looking to start therapy.

Told my husband that when he was hearing voices to turn the volume up on the TV.

Absolutely horrific! The new provider my son sees there didn't send us the link for his virtual appointment on Friday. My son needs refills for his medicine but because we missed our appointment (and it was their fault)… they refuse to send over a refill until we can get another appointment. They can't fit us in until the end of the year. They said I'd have to take my son to the walk in clinic at like 1230 on Wednesdays. I can't get a day off like that and they do not care that my son has been sick without his meds. I'm trying to get this all worked out but the managers I've talked to, specifically Brandy and Crystal, did nothing but laugh at me and told me to bring my lawyer in to talk with theirs. Another manager told me that I could file a complaint but the CEO will just tell me to "ship up or ship out." This is just disgusting behavior from a health care facility. I was told that I'd have to wait 24 to 48 hours to hear back from a clinical manager and it's been 72 and I haven't heard a thing. This place is a greedy joke! I urge you, if you have been victimized as well by this blatant abuse of power, file a complaint against them to the stat medical board

This place is a money scamming machine at least from my perspective. I came here in July 2024 because I had a breakdown and I was pretty sure it was due to undiagnosed ADHD and I went here to test. They sat me down and… talked to me for 30 minutes and then told me it wasn't that but something else. I been on every medicine, not being able to get on a single one for nine months. One of the medicines literally nearly damn killed me. Every time I went in, my diagnosis kept changing on the fly in a very casual manner. I eventually asked them about ADHD again and then again and again and THEN after several appointments of asking about it they admitted to that they don't test for that and proceeded to tell me that my creativity would disappear if I got on ADHD meds. I finally said that I wasn't taking anything else from them and cancelled my remaining appointments. I found another place and they tested me thoroughly for a couple days and wouldn't you know it, I'm not crazy. I have ADHD. I've been on a medication for almost a week that's not causing me issues and I already am feeling the positive effects of while Penninsula had shoved every pill imaginable down my throat telling me I was wrong and skirting me along. For the cherry on top, they tried to have me pay a fee to them to access one medical report. I called the company that actually does the test and they gave it to me for free. I will always recommend that anybody stay away from this place for the rest of my life.

They made me an appointment without talking to me, I tried to use their automated text system to reschedule/decline the appointment but it didn’t work, Iv tried calling to reschedule 3 times Iv hung up after 30-50… minutes on hold each time. At this point I’m not even sure how to get an appointment with this facility. Not a good start and definitely not feeling like they’re going to value my time.

It’s very sad to say that after 4 years with dr hooks from 2008 to 2011 and a gene test clearly showing certain medications that work and no reactions with hooks helped me since my last few times after being let down by… Helen Ross McMahon and Cherokee peninsula yet still I feel judged by my tattoos and my past and especially after the genesight test I feel dr is intentionally trying to bring harm to me by having me on meds I have reactions with and not giving ones I have zero with . I truly feel discriminated against by my dr and her np I’m not say there names out of me having more respect for them then they had me after lying straight to my face

Long time patient, I rely on these doctors visits and the medicines they prescribed. Keep up the good work

I was permanently damaged by the “care” at this facility. I no longer believe in the viability of the mental health system. I asked for help and was given no medically viable assistance. The Dr wasn’t even qualified to… treat me. She said my therapist was the one who specialized in my condition(Amy the office manager also lied about this when she called to harass me). She was wrong. This office only exists to bill the government for fictional services that cause great harm to the mentally ill instead of helping them. The organization and people who work for it are intellectually fraudulent. This fictional healthcare provider can not treat or diagnose the Mental Health condition or conditions related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am better off without care than having the factually bankrupt ignorance provided by this fictitious mental health provider. This provider causes more harm than good. Do not listen to these frauds. …After writing this the office manager called me and harassed me. Her name is Amy. Amy told me she doesn’t hire anyone who treats autistic people. Amy was hurtful to me and displayed distain for anyone who isn’t neurotypical. I feel more hurt and discriminated against since she called me. Covenant Health discriminates against the neurodivergent population in our community and is in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Worst medical experience in memory. Soon to be 65 years old, and having recently moved to East TN from Dallas I was just trying to get one med refilled that top doctors in Dallas had me on for many years that helped my… condition tremendously. Peninsula ran me around for tests, therapy sessions, visits with nurses, a visit with my primary care physician, medical records, drug tests, EKG, and on and on, all headed up by a Peninsula's nurse practitioner. After 3 weeks of messing around to try to get one refill prescription, a med that I had been evaluated for and been taking for years in Dallas, the nurse practitioner was still going to run me through more and more tests and evaluations. It sounded like it would be endless. In order to keep my sanity, I just dropped the case after wasting all this time with Peninsula who seemed more concerned with avoiding blame than helping a patient. At one point I asked Leslie the Nurse Practitioner how I will manage my condition as I run out of my meds, and she actually said that it's not her concern, indicating that she could care less. This med helps me function in key areas of my life and Peninsula was nothing more than a condescending delay. Stay away if you really need help.

I see Leslie to manage my medicine and she’s great. The main thing is the office, they have messed up my appointments a few times and every time i want to speak with a nurse it takes 20+ minutes waiting and they won’t… let me leave a voicemail or message to be called back because they have only one nurse.

No one answers the phone. Stayed on the automated answering for 10 minutes before it hung up on me.

Honestly, not too bad. They've helped a lot with my meds. The therapist I got put with after mine left was awful and made me dread coming to my appointment every week. I am no longer in therapy with them. They have done… a lot with me and my medicine. So I really am thankful for what my doctor has helped me with.

I was 7 minutes late and the receptionist said it was ok when I walked in. I then updated my insurance with her (which she wrote on a post it note), and I also talked about how I did not receive any appointment… reminders so I wanted to check my phone numbers. I assumed I was checked in or I wouldn't have done all of this. I started to hear the staff behind her discussing a no-show after a few minutes of us updating. She then explains to me that the appointment is no longer available because I was late.

The healthcare industry is broken, and understandably filled with a lot of jaded and beaten down people (not judging, I was a cook for 15 years). The folks here have shown a next-level amount of empathy, kindness,… accountability and patience (this last one can not be overstated) in every interaction I have experienced with them. Charlie, Tyler and kimberly(? Maybe?) And doctor Leslie are all top notch humans (not trying to be presumptuous here- but they didn’t give off reptilian overlord, or cats wearing human suit vibes). And I’m happy to be a patient at their mental health repair shop.

Literally the worse experience I have ever had with any doctor. They hate their patients, can’t refill a simply prescription, and make your life much more stressful than when you walked in.

If I could select no stars I would. I am horrified at the care I received. I was given absolutely no help and was even told that my diagnosis was not a recognized diagnosis in the DSM, plot twist: it is. Please do not… go here if you can help it. If you have to because of insurance reasons, be aware you will face a lot of frustration and have to be your own advocate. I'm sorry this place is the only option for care for a lot of hurting people.

Love my doctor.

Great bogo deals and fries.

So unprofessional!!! My daughter had to call back to schedule an appointment after an online appointment because their computer system was down. She tried on several occasions and spent hours on hold. Because she had… not rescheduled her appointment, they canceled her refill for her medications. She tried in vain to get anyone to answer the phone and has to drive 45 minutes to their office to reach someone. This could be very dangerous to go cold turkey off of medications!!

Sister waited over 2 hours to be seen. Ridiculous waste of time

No Bueno. Find your own team of a psychiatric doctor and a real psychologist or therapist and work with them instead. It’s worth the money. This place wants to get you in and out as quickly as possible and doesn’t… really have time to listen to your concerns

If your in need of help don't go here. They don't care about anyone but themselves and what's best for them. I have tried it twice. I'm in a good mind to report them to the Governor. Maybe he will look into this office.… What a joke. If you don't need help you will by the time you leave there.

Apts consistently late or even mis-booked.

Switched to this location as I recently moved to Blount county. Been using the Dowell Springs facility for the last 7 years. I have had two appointments scheduled at the Blount facility. Both of which took well over our… scheduled time to be seen. The first time I understood, we were new. The second time was unnecessary. I sat for 35 min over our scheduled appointment time before I left. I get it, Dr offices are busy but sitting for 35+ minutes is just plain disrespectful. At least the waitress at my local restaurant stops by to give me an update. I will find mental health services elsewhere.

Gr8

I have literally never been more disappointed or upset with a provider, or ANY service for that matter, than I am with these people. The receptionists are fine, the therapist and everyone was fine, however, I made this… appointment over a month ago and was told that everything would be addressed and taken care of on my first visit. I didn't mind waiting, as you need to with most psychiatrists, and thought it was awesome that everything would be done in one visit instead of multiple. I finally get in there today (after leaving work early, mind you) and was told after waiting for over THREE HOURS.... That the psychiatrist didn't have time to see me today & I would need to reschedule. I couldn't believe it, I waited for an hour & a half after speaking to the nurse to give her my family history & health info just to be told that I'd have to come back. I told the receptionist that I was under the impression that I would be seen today, since that was what I was told. She replies with "well, i'm sorry, but it isn't guaranteed." If it isn't guaranteed, then maybe you should make it clear to the patients before wasting their time. It's hard enough for me to find time to go to the doctor and do these things. Not everyone can miss work and revolve their life around what works best & what is most convenient for the doctor. I do understand that things happen and plans change, but there is absolutely no excuse for this. I waited that long just to be told that I would have to come back a different day!!! So that also means I would have had to pay for a SECOND visit, just to be seen for what should've been addressed in the first one. Mad, upset, livid, isn't even the word to describe how i'm feeling. I will be sure to let everyone know how terrible of a facility this is, and make it clear to the clinical supervisor how horrible this is. Don't waste your time OR money; take it from me. Go somewhere else and be seen.

If you are in need of help, this is NOT the place for it Had to wait 2 months for an initial appointment , then they did not have any counselling available for another 9 weeks

I AM SORRY, BUT I MAY OF PUT THE WRONG REVIEW FOR THE WRONG PLACE: I GO TO PENINSULA OUTPATIENT CLINIC, WE HAVE LADIES SUPPORT GROUPS, I'VE MADE A BUNCH OF FRIENDS THERE, IF YOU NEED TO SEE A THERAPIST YOU CAN DO YOUR… INTAKE (WARNING: MAY TAKE 3-5 HOURS FOR INTAKE) THEN GET AN APPOINTMENT IF NEEDED.. IF YOU NEED MEDS FOR DEPRESSION OR WHATEVER THEN THEY WILL ASSIGN A DOCTOR TO YOU...