Taking the first step toward seeking mental health care can feel overwhelming, and it is completely normal to feel uncertain about the process. At Kairos Integrative Health, we understand that reaching out for help is a big decision, and we are here to support you each step of the way.

We meet you where you are and work together to develop a path toward your goals, with clarity and transparency in an approachable atmosphere.

Our different approach

As healthcare adopts an increasingly streamlined model, Kairos takes a different approach that prioritizes both patients and providers. We offer high quality, timely, evidence based care while empowering our providers to focus on what truly matters, which is patient centered care.

Mission

To deliver comprehensive and integrative mental health services that empower individuals and strengthen the resilience of our community, fostering enduring patient provider relationships.

Vision

To be a recognized, trusted leader providing accessible, integrative mental health care that prioritizes open communication, holistic treatment, and personalized care.

Mark Merritt is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). With a Master of Science in Nursing specializing in psychiatric mental health nursing, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Mark draws on experience in both population and individual based settings to understand each person's unique presentation.

A foundation across every level of care

Mark has extensive experience across Emergency Departments, Inpatient Psychiatry, Outpatient Psychiatry, and Substance Abuse Centers. He began as a registered nurse in one of the busiest Emergency Departments in Alabama, later becoming Charge Nurse on an inpatient Acute Behavioral Health Unit. As a PMHNP, he has worked alongside Duke and Yale trained psychiatrists and addictionologists in both general psychiatry and addiction.

Conditions Mark treats

• Mood Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
• Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders

Educator and mentor

Mark has been featured in alumni panels for the UAB Ryals School of Public Health, hosted sessions for the Birmingham Bar Association, and developed curriculum for high school students. He has also served as a clinical instructor in psychiatric and addiction nursing.

Integrative psychiatry combines traditional psychiatric practice with complementary and holistic therapies to treat the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. It addresses not only symptoms but also root causes.

1. 1. Comprehensive approach We consider all aspects of well being, including physical health, lifestyle, trauma, social context, and emotional balance.
2. 2. Conventional and complementary treatments
   • Nutritional and dietary interventions
   • Mind body techniques
   • Herbal supplements and vitamins
   • Exercise and physical activity
3. 3. Personalized care We tailor a holistic plan around your specific symptoms, lifestyle, genetics, and preferences.
4. 4. Prevention and wellness We emphasize long term wellness through lifestyle adjustments, stress management, and building resilience.

Psychiatry

Integrative psychiatric care that looks beyond the symptoms to the roots underneath. We believe lasting change comes from understanding the whole person, so we take the time to learn your full story, your history, your mind, your body, and the pressures of your daily life. From there, we build a treatment plan that's genuinely yours: thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in the latest evidence. And because healing isn't a straight line, we keep adjusting as you grow, so your care always fits where you are.

Therapy

Thoughtful, evidence-based therapy, offered when it's the right fit and often most effective hand-in-hand with medication management. We draw on proven approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Supportive Psychotherapy, and Motivational Interviewing, then tailor them to meet you exactly where you are - no scripts, no one-size-fits-all. Our goal is a space where you feel genuinely heard and supported, with practical tools you can carry into everyday life. And if you'd benefit from a modality we don't provide, we'll help you get connected to the right care.

Addiction

Compassionate, experienced support for substance use, grounded in training alongside Duke- and Yale-trained psychiatrists and addictionologists. We know how much courage it takes to reach out, so we meet you without judgment and move entirely at your pace. Whether you're just beginning to ask questions or you've walked this road before, we focus on real, sustainable steps - honoring your strengths, respecting your goals, and walking alongside you toward the life you want to build.

Genetic Testing

Pharmacogenetic testing that reveals how your body is uniquely wired to process psychiatric medications. Instead of relying on trial and error, we use your genetic profile to help guide choices that are more likely to work for you and less likely to cause unwanted side effects. For many people, that means less time waiting to feel better and more confidence that the plan truly fits them - a smarter, more personalized starting point for your care.

CNS-VS Testing

Objective, computer-based cognitive testing that measures core areas like attention, memory, language, and processing speed. Rather than guessing at how things are going, we capture a clear baseline and track your results over time - giving you and your provider real, data-driven insight into how treatment is working and where to focus next. It's a simple, reassuring way to make the invisible visible and keep your care moving forward.

You must be physically located in the state you select at the time of your appointment.