Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Comprehensive Mental Health Services in Philadelphia
Founded in 1953 by Dr. Edward K. Parnes, Philadelphia Mental Health Center (PMHC) has been a cornerstone of accessible mental health care in the Philadelphia region. Our organization was established with a mission to provide compassionate, high-quality services to individuals across the lifespan, with particular expertise in autism spectrum disorders and behavioral health. Over our 70-year history, we have pioneered innovative programs including the nation's first 24/7 mental health crisis line (1963), a Therapeutic After School Autism Program (2007), and state-approved telehealth services (2018).Our multidisciplinary team of master's and doctoral-level clinicians delivers evidence-based care through psychological evaluations, psychiatric services, individual and family therapy, and mobile mental health programs. We maintain affiliations with leading academic institutions like Jefferson University and Temple University, while operating three regional locations in Center City Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, and Bucks County. Our values of integrity, recovery, inclusivity, and accessibility guide our commitment to serving diverse populations through both in-person and virtual platforms.
Services
Psychiatric Services
Telehealth Services
Individual Therapy
Mobile Mental Health
Autism Evaluations
Family Counseling
Medication Management
Behavioral Therapy
Couples Therapy
Comprehensive Assessments
Details
- Year established: 1953
Highlights and features
- We offer 70 years of specialized mental health expertise in Philadelphia
- Our team includes master's and doctoral-level clinicians trained in autism care
- We pioneered the nation's first 24/7 mental health crisis line in 1963
- We provide both in-person and telehealth services across three regional locations
- Our programs combine clinical excellence with community accessibility
What people say
Very caring staff
Therapists very friendly
Peaceful treatment environment
Gave me a reason to live
Compassionate care
Services
Telehealth Services
Our telehealth platform provides accessible mental health care through secure video consultations. Available for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy sessions, this service accommodates children and adults meeting clinical criteria. Virtual appointments maintain the same quality standards as in-person visits while offering scheduling flexibility. Services extend to all clinic locations and school-based autism programs.
Psychiatric Services
Board-certified psychiatrists deliver comprehensive evaluations and ongoing medication management for infants through adults. Specialized expertise in autism treatment supports tailored pharmacological approaches. Services integrate with other therapeutic programs and remain available as private-pay options when not connected to other clinical services.
Mobile Mental Health Services
Qualified clinicians provide individual therapy in home or nursing facility settings for adults with mobility limitations. This service maintains the same clinical standards as office-based therapy while accommodating physical disabilities. Participating facilities include multiple Philadelphia-area nursing and rehabilitation centers.
Comprehensive Autism Assessment
Our multidisciplinary autism evaluation combines developmental history, behavioral observation, and standardized testing. The process involves family interviews, medical record reviews, and interactive sessions with child psychologists and psychiatrists. Results inform personalized intervention plans addressing therapeutic, educational, and family support needs across home, school, and community settings.
Intensive Behavioral Health Services
Specialized behavioral health support operates in 41 Philadelphia schools through individual counseling, group therapy, and classroom consultation. Our team collaborates with educators and families to address emotional and behavioral challenges affecting academic success. Services extend to home and community settings for comprehensive care coordination.
People
Kerey Parnes
Chief Executive Officer
Daughter of PMHC's founder, Kerey Parnes holds a BA from Vassar College and Freudian psychoanalytic certification. She has led PMHC since 1999, expanding services to include mobile mental health for seniors and telehealth programs while developing autism treatment specialization.
Michael A. Bowman
Human Resources and Legal Consultant
Legal expert with government law background, Michael Bowman holds law and public affairs degrees from University of Wisconsin. He advises on municipal agency matters and brings extensive policy expertise to PMHC's operations and compliance framework.
Briana Phillips
Director of Outpatient and Mobile Mental Health
Dedicated mental health leader committed to service excellence. Briana Phillips oversees outpatient operations and mobile service delivery, ensuring accessible care for physically limited patients while maintaining clinical quality standards across PMHC's service locations.
Darsaan K. Khanna
IBHS Program Director
Neuroscience graduate with behavioral health leadership experience, Darsaan Khanna directs intensive behavioral services. He develops treatment protocols and staff training programs while maintaining focus on improving outcomes for children with special needs through evidence-based interventions.
LaTonya G.
Former Director of Autism Services
Leadership role in expanding After School Autism Program (ASAP) from 2018-2020. Implemented growth initiatives and team development strategies under COO supervision. Now pursuing other professional endeavors while maintaining appreciation for PMHC's mission.
Questions
What mental health services does PMHC offer?
We provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual/family therapy, telehealth services, mobile mental health care, and specialized autism assessments across Philadelphia and Bucks County.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and many other major insurers. Our finance team can verify your specific coverage details.
Are self-pay options available?
Yes, we offer confidential self-pay services with a $50 deposit required for telehealth appointments. No insurance information needed for these private-pay options.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call our intake manager at 215-735-9379 ext. 2 or complete our online intake form. Initial phone interviews typically occur within 1-2 business days.
What makes PMHC unique?
We combine 70 years of experience with innovative programs like Pennsylvania's first 24/7 mental health crisis line and specialized autism services delivered by master's and doctoral-level clinicians.
Do you offer home-based therapy?
Yes, our Mobile Mental Health Services provide therapy in homes or nursing facilities for adults with mobility limitations through qualified master's and doctoral-level clinicians.
Videos
Reviews (3)
Priya Gullott
Jan 20, 2020
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A family member has been going to this mental health care center from a long time and they seem to be recovering.
Kim Stevens
Dec 26, 2019
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I had almost given up on getting better after getting treated by different facilities and seeing no results until one of my friend recommended Philadelphia Mental Health Center. I am blessed to find this place, I swear I was on the verge of suicide if I wouldn't have found this place. They gave me a reason to live. Thank you. God bless.
Karolyn Fernandez
Nov 05, 2019
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Very caring staff. The therapists over here are very friendly. Also, the environment is very peaceful for treatment.
