Get treatment for your mental health needs.
Policies
Initial Appointment (Psychiatric Evaluation)
Your first appointment is a comprehensive conversation where we discuss what brings you to the practice now and how you would like to feel better. My goal is for you to feel comfortable and profoundly heard, with zero judgment. We also discuss past history, medical history, and other factors that help me to provide accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment. We will collaborate on a treatment plan considering your needs, concerns, and preferences. Please allow up to 90 minutes for this appointment.
It is understandable that some feel anxious about taking psychiatric medication. If you have questions or concerns after your initial appointment, you may text me using a HIPAA-compliant app registered to this office.
Medication Management and Follow Up Appointments
The first follow up appointment after your initial appointment is usually 1-4 weeks later. Standard follow up appointments are 30-60 minutes. If stable and doing well, follow up appointments may be scheduled every few months, for as long as you need treatment. If you prefer more time, we can schedule you for an extended, 1 hour follow up appointment.
Policies
Appointments and Refills
Weekly or monthly appointments are typically required in the early stages of treatment. With a good, stable response to treatment, we may reduce appointment frequency to every few months. Patients pay directly for the cost of each visit, and payment is due the day of your visit. Refills are not issued without an appointment unless we have discussed extenuating circumstances or an urgent matter, with a plan for follow up.
Medications
I care about my patients and follow best practices for protecting their health and well-being, so benzodiazepines are not prescribed for regular, daily use. Benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Restoril (temazepam), etc. While benzodiazepines can be appropriate and effective in certain instances, they often create more problems than solutions and can harm health. Regular use of these medications generally causes physical dependence/withdrawal symptoms. This practice is not a good fit for patients looking for medications like Xanax or Valium. Better, safer, treatment options are available. If you have been prescribed benzodiazepines on a daily basis and would like to explore treatment options for a gentle taper off of your medication with support, reach out and request a consultation appointment.
Those seeking treatment for opioid addiction are usually best served by seeing specialists who specialize in addiction and substance use disorders, to receive high-quality, specialized care and support for optimal recovery. I do not specialize in addiction treatment.
Crisis Care
This practice offers comprehensive care, but we are not able to offer 24-hour crisis care. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or think you may have an emergency, call 911 or go to the closest emergency department. You may also call 988 for a mental health crisis.
Legal Cases and Third-Party Documentation
We are not able to provide evaluation for third-parties or legal cases such as disability applications, workers compensation, or court cases (divorce, custody cases, court-ordered treatment).
“Do something today your future self will thank you for.”
— Sean Patrick Flanery