Behavioral Care Center

The Behavioral Care Center, located at 433 Gay Street in Nashville, Tennessee, is a state-licensed, short-term residential treatment facility operated by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. This innovative program offers an alternative to traditional incarceration by providing therapeutic care in a secure, supportive environment. With a capacity of 60 beds—30 for men and 30 for women—the center is uniquely positioned to address the mental health and substance use needs of justice-involved adults through individualized, trauma-informed treatment. Residents are referred through a partnership involving the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Public Defender’s Office, with the goal of decriminalizing mental illness and offering recovery instead of jail time.

At the Behavioral Care Center, each individual receives a personalized treatment plan based on comprehensive assessments. Services include individual and group therapy, medication management, and discharge planning, all within a gender-responsive and trauma-informed framework. The program emphasizes accountability and healing while connecting residents to critical community resources upon discharge to ensure continuity of care. Through this approach, the center not only treats behavioral health challenges but also aims to reduce recidivism and promote long-term wellness. By diverting qualifying individuals from the criminal justice system, the facility plays a vital role in transforming how Nashville addresses behavioral health crises.