On Monday, Oct. 7th, Connected Minds, a mental health and wellness services clinic, celebrated the grand opening of its first physical office in Marietta. Founded by Dr. Je Ajayi ,35, a Morehouse School of Medicine graduate, the practice has operated virtually since 2020.
“This is my very first physical space. I’ve been virtual for four years,” Ajayi said.
Connected Minds was initially born from a dream Ajayi’s had in September of 2019. Envisioning the practice’s logo, a puzzle depicting two minds coming together, which is now prominently displayed at the facility’s entrance, greeting patients and visitors as they enter.
Ajayi, originally from Albany, Ga., earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Georgia and later completed his residency at Morehouse School of Medicine.
“I graduated into COVID. That shaped how I practiced medicine and the importance of flexibility in mental health care,” Ajayi said.
As a licensed psychiatrist, Ajayi brings a comprehensive understanding of both neurological and psychiatric conditions to his practice. “I’m a medical physician. I’m an M.D, so I can treat anything I want,” said Ajayi. “In medical school, I did stem cell research for Parkinson’s disease. I love neuro, and to be a neurologist means you have to become an internal medicine physician. But psychiatry allows you to be boarded in both psychiatry and neurology.”
His decision to specialize in psychiatry came from a desire to blend his passion for neurology with behavioral health, giving him the ability to diagnose and treat both strokes and mental health conditions like depression.
The Marietta office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced treatments such as the MagVenture Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells deep in the brain, offering another option to patients who haven’t responded to traditional therapies. During a tour of the facility, Ajayi demonstrated how the technology works.
“This machine is FDA-approved for longer protocols,” he explained, referring to the MagVenture device used at the clinic.
The process, as Ajayi described, involves adjusting the frequencies to match a patient’s unique response. “Once I see your thumb twitching, I know I have a high enough frequency for your brain,” he explained.
From there, the device is moved from the motor cortex to the depression cortex, where the treatment begins. The course usually requires about 24 to 30 sessions, with insurance covering most of the treatments.
The clinic also provides Ketamine therapy, a rapid-acting solution for those suffering from severe depression, PTSD, or chronic pain. “Ketamine has shown significant success for patients where other treatments have failed,” Ajayi explained.
Understanding the connection between mental and physical well-being, Connected Minds goes beyond psychiatric treatment by offering fitness and health coaching. These services help patients reach their wellness goals through personalized exercise plans, nutritional advice, and lifestyle coaching. “We strive to offer personalized services that support our clients in all aspects of their lives,” Ajayi said.
His decision to open a physical location represents a new chapter in his career. “Having this space allows me to extend the care I’ve been offering virtually,” he said. “Now, I can build deeper relationships with my patients in person.”
Currently, Connected Minds employs 18 staff members, including fitness professionals, therapists, administrative personnel, and licensed psychiatrists, all working together to offer holistic mental health and wellness solutions.
In addition to its treatments, the clinic continues to provide services like medication management, individual and group therapy, addiction treatment, cannabis and disability evaluations, DUI classes, and anger management programs.
For more information about Connected Minds and its services, visit www.connectedmindsllc.com or call (678) 383-9532.