Our History
Meeting Every Need Since 1973
Our Story
The Founding Years: 1973-1981
Alliance Healthcare Services traces its roots to 1973, when it was founded as Southeast Memphis Mental Health Center in the basement of the MMHI building at Poplar and Dunlap. Incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the organization set out to address the mental health needs of an underserved community.
By 1981, the organization had grown beyond its southeast Memphis origins, prompting a name change to Southeast Mental Health Center to better reflect its expanding reach.
Expanding Services: 1998-2007
The late 1990s marked a significant expansion in services when housing programs were added in 1998, recognizing that stable housing is foundational to mental health recovery.
The Crisis Services Revolution: 2008-2009
The late 2000s brought transformative growth in crisis services. In 2008, the organization launched Mobile Crisis services, bringing intervention directly to people in crisis at assessment centers, hospitals, homes, and throughout the community. That same year, the Crisis Stabilization Unit opened, offering a 5-day residential program with medication management and comprehensive therapy.
A pivotal partnership formed in 2009 when Southeast Mental Health Center began collaborating with the Crisis Intervention Team and opened its first walk-in center, making mental health care more accessible to those in immediate need.
A Transformative Merger: 2013
The organization's most significant transformation came in July 2013, when Southeast Mental Health Center merged with Comprehensive Counseling Network (formerly Frayser-Millington Mental Health Center) to form Alliance Healthcare Services. This merger created the largest comprehensive behavioral health provider in Shelby County, vastly expanding the organization's capacity and geographic reach.
State Recognition and New Leadership: 2016-2018
Quality and accountability became formal priorities in 2016 when Alliance earned CARF accreditation for outpatient and case management services.
The following year, 2017, brought state recognition when the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services selected Alliance as the recipient of the Pre-Arrest Diversion Infrastructure Grant—a testament to the organization's innovative approach to diverting individuals from incarceration to treatment.
New leadership arrived in 2018 when Laurie Powell was named CEO, bringing a vision that would ultimately transform Alliance's crisis response capabilities.
A Growing Network: 2022
By 2022, Alliance had grown to operate 18 locations throughout Shelby County, offering a full continuum of services including outpatient care, intensive outpatient programs, housing support, addiction treatment, peer support, and comprehensive crisis services for children, families, and adults. The Pre-Arrest Diversion program was now diverting over 500 individuals monthly from the criminal justice system to appropriate treatment.
Breaking Ground on a New Era: 2023
September 2023 marked a historic milestone: the groundbreaking of Alliance's first purpose-built brick and mortar facility. The Crisis Wellness Center represented a $34 million investment in the community, designed as a 55,000-square-foot, 45-bed facility that would provide a critical alternative to emergency rooms and incarceration for those experiencing mental health and substance use crises.
Innovation and Impact: 2024
In 2024, Alliance expanded its partnership model with a landmark agreement with the Shelby County Fire Department, allowing first responders to transport individuals directly to Alliance facilities, streamlining access to care. That year, mobile crisis teams responded to over 3,000 on-site emergencies, providing de-escalation and intervention across the county.
The Pre-Arrest Diversion program continued growing, diverting approximately 13,000 individuals annually from the criminal justice system—saving an estimated $165 million in jail, court, and hospital costs.
A Dream Realized: 2025
February 14, 2025 brought the realization of years of planning and fundraising when Alliance held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Crisis Wellness Center. Governor Bill Lee joined over 100 community leaders, stakeholders, and supporters for the celebration.
At that same ceremony, Alliance broke ground on the Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center—an $11 million facility that would provide specialized pediatric mental health services. The adult Crisis Wellness Center officially opened its doors on February 25, 2025, featuring 30 crisis stabilization beds, 15 detox beds, respite care, an on-site pharmacy, outpatient therapy, and a 24/7 crisis line.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
Looking ahead to Spring 2026, the Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center will complete Alliance's comprehensive crisis campus, providing age-appropriate mental health care and family therapy in a purpose-built environment.
Together, these facilities represent Alliance's evolution from a small basement operation to a nationally recognized leader in community behavioral health care—fulfilling a 50-year promise to promote wellness by partnering with individuals and the community to provide exceptional behavioral healthcare.