Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit will include a comprehensive evaluation covering:

• Current concerns

• Medical and psychiatric history

• Medications and allergies

• Social, family, and developmental background

For children, we’ll also review gestational and developmental history.

While thorough, this process helps us understand all the factors that may be affecting you or your child. Initial evaluations typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour, but may take longer (up to 2+ hours) for a more holistic assessment that includes sleep, diet, exercise, and environment.

Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up visits are shorter and focus on:

• Updates to medical or psychiatric status

• Medication effects or changes

• Any new concerns

These usually last 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Types of Mental Health Providers

Choosing the right mental health provider depends on your needs and what treatment approach works best for you. Below is a brief overview of common provider types:

Psychoanalysts Focus on unconscious factors that influence emotions and behavior. Through deep, reflective work, patients gain insight into long-standing patterns, understand their origins, and make meaningful, lasting changes in their lives.

Psychologists Provide psychotherapy to help individuals manage stress, trauma, and relationship issues. They may also offer psychological testing for conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities, or personality disorders.

Psychiatrists & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Specialize in the biological aspects of mental health, often using medication as part of treatment. They may also incorporate therapy, lifestyle changes, and holistic approaches such as nutrition and mindfulness.

When treating children, it’s essential to gather input from parents and other key adults in the child’s life. However, at times, your child may meet with the provider alone to allow for open, private conversation. This helps the provider understand any concerns the child may not feel comfortable sharing in front of a parent.

All providers—whether nurses, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, or psychologists—are bound by HIPAA confidentiality laws. This means they cannot share everything your child says without consent, unless there's a safety concern (such as risk of harm to self or others, or inability to care for basic needs).

While this may feel difficult for parents, the goal is always to build trust and help your child feel safe. A good provider will work with your child to help them open up and, when appropriate, involve you in the conversation in a supportive and respectful way.

The goal of treatment is to meet your needs. You have every right to speak up about what is or isn’t working—whether it’s a medication, therapy approach, or your comfort with the provider.

This is your time and your care. It’s not about pleasing the provider—it’s about getting the help that’s right for you. If something isn’t working, or you don’t feel a good connection, that’s okay. Finding the right fit is important, and I’m happy to refer you to someone else who may be a better match.

In some situations prescription medication is necessary or highly recommended, however there are always alternatives that your provider will be happy to discuss with you. Ask your provider about nutritional and lifestyle modifications, supplements, and other complementary theories (acupuncture, sensory deprivation therapy, etc.) which your provider will gladly discuss. Furthermore, “talk therapy” can be a helpful alternative in order to cope and overcome certain mental health issues.

Mental health conditions are just like any other medical issue—if you had a broken arm, you’d get it treated. The same should apply to your emotional well-being.

While there’s still stigma around seeking mental health care, it’s important to remember: your treatment is confidential. Insurance companies cannot share your information without your consent or a court order.

In rare cases—such as involuntary psychiatric hospitalization due to serious risk—certain details may be reported to national databases for background checks (e.g., for firearm purchases), depending on state laws.

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If you need help now, ask for help. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency go to your nearest emergency department or call 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-8255. While we are not an emergency psychiatric facility, our primary job is to protect your safety and promote your wellness. In order to protect the wellbeing of yourself or others, we are required to contact emergency services if an individual is an immediate threat to themselves or others.