What can a Psychiatrist do for me?
A psychiatrist is a certified medical professional that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental illness and psychological problems. A psychiatrist has completed medical school and a four years of internship ad residency. Psychiatrists are not only trained to diagnose and manage mental illness, but are also adept at providing psychotherapy. Certain specializations within psychiatry require additional years of training and qualification. Within the profession, each psychiatrist has specific areas of interest and specialization and has the skills to provide treatment from multiple approaches.
What will happen during my first appointment?
I will meet with you for an extensive interview and evaluation in which I will gather information including current stressors, symptoms, prior history and family dynamics. We will explore biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that may be contributing to your presenting problem. With more complex problems, an additional one to two sessions may be required before a treatment plan is formulated. Once the evaluation is complete, I will discuss options for treatment and recommendations before deciding whether or not to move forward with treatment.
Will my treatment be kept confidential?
I will not reveal any information regarding your treatment unless you have signed a release of information form that specifies who I may speak to about your care. In the instance that you are in danger of harming yourself, then I will work with you to try and address this issue. If you remain a danger to yourself, then a 72 hour mental health hold may be required, in which case I may break confidentiality to ensure your safety. If you are suffering from a condition that renders you a danger to others, then I am obligated by law to take action to protect them.
Will the cost of my treatment be covered by my insurance plan?
My practice does not bill insurance. We have a fee for service practice and expect full payment at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. However, we provide you with monthly statements that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement if you have a plan that allows out of network benefits. You may also use your HSA account to pay for services.
How do I go about becoming a new patient?
Once you have reviewed the information on this website and decide if I am a good fit for you, the next step will be to do a phone screening with my assistant, Shaylyn. She will further explain the process and ask several questions that are in-depth and pertinent to my practice. Once the phone screening is complete, our office will be in touch with you. We please ask that you allow us some time in getting back to you as there is a high volume of inquires and phone screenings being placed. To do the phone screening, please select 'Scheduling' or 'Appointment Request' at the top of the page and submit the form on the page with the necessary information.