How do I know when I should see a psychiatrist?

The simple answer: Whenever you think you should! A question that people commonly ask our doctors at parties is "so what type of people go to see a psychiatrist?" It is difficult to answer because our patients come from all backgrounds and walks of life! Mental health affects everybody no matter your status, background, or life circumstances. The best time for getting help is when you're ready.

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The more detailed answer: We see a lot of people begin treatment when they feel that they have more "bad days" than "good days," or when they don't feel like the person they used to be (or would like to be). Major life transitions or events are another common reason people make appointments when the impact of these events become hard to cope with. Sometimes these events will bring up emotions that may be hard to deal with on your own. Other doctors may refer you to see a psychiatrist if they feel your mental health is impacting other medical conditions.

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If you are making plans to or having thoughts of hurting yourself or hurting others, it's time to make an appointment. You are most certainly not alone if you're having thoughts such as "Others are probably better off without me around" and "I wish I didn't have to do this anymore," but life doesn't have to feel this way. If you are having these thoughts, this is another strong sign that you need to talk to somebody. 

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What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

The difference lies in the type of training and skillsets:

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Psychiatrists are medical doctors, meaning they have completed a 4 year postgraduate program and either have a MD or DO degree. In order to specialize in psychiatry, doctors then have to complete a 3-4 year training program focused on treating psychiatric disorders (typically called a psychiatry residency). After completing training, psychiatrists are considered eligible to take a national board certification exam. They are considered psychiatrists once they have passed this exam and become board certified.

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Psychiatrists typically focus on medical treatment of mental illnesses, which includes prescribing medication. As psychiatrists are also medical doctors, their knowledge base helps detect any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your mental health symptoms. Some may do therapy as well depending on the style of training they pursue, but this comes down to the psychiatrists' personal preference.

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Psychologists study to obtain doctorate degrees in Psychology (usually a PhD or PsyD) after obtaining their Bachelors' degrees and complete internships as part of their training. They specialize in therapy and do not prescribe medications. Your psychologist may recommend or refer you to a psychiatrist if they feel you may benefit from taking medications.

 

Psychologists can also specialize in therapy subtypes that may target specific conditions such as trauma, eating disorders, or culturally specific experiences to simply name a few.

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It is strongly encouraged that patients engage in both therapy and medication management for best results. There are strengths and limitations to both therapy and medications that complement each other well.

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What is the difference between board eligible and board certified?

You may see these terms used frequently when doctors describe their certifications:

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Board eligible means that the doctor has finished their specialty training/residency but may not have taken the specialty board certification exam.

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Board certified means the doctor has taken and passed their specialty board certification exam and met a national standard set for specialists across the country.

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What conditions do you treat?

We put our patients first and will work with them to achieve their best outcome through a combination of medication management and therapy. Some of the conditions we treat include: 

• Prenatal and perinatal medication consultations

• Depressive disorders including postpartum depression

• Anxiety disorders including postpartum anxiety

• Postpartum psychosis

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Bipolar disorder

• Schizophrenia

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Are there any conditions you cannot treat?

We do not prescribe any controlled substances, and therefore any conditions that may require use of these medications cannot be addressed in our clinic. These types of medications will require you to see a psychiatrist in person. If it becomes apparent during treatment that use of these medications is necessary we will refer you out to trusted providers.
Examples of controlled substances include Adderall, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ambien. A full list of what is considered a controlled substance can be found here. 

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We also are not able to do disability evaluations.

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If you are out of network for my insurance, is there a way I can still get insurance to cover my visit?

If you are out of network, you are responsible for covering appointments at our cash rates. However, you may be able to get partial reimbursement for the cost of your appointment. Once you have paid your appointment fees, our office can provide a superbill, which is an itemized invoice with the appropriate billing codes included, that you can submit to your insurance for review.

 

Another tool you can use is to apply for a network gap exemption with your insurance company before your appointment. This is something insurance companies use to address gaps in coverage that can't be addressed with their in network providers. You would need to contact your insurance company first to apply for this exemption. These applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, but if granted will allow us to bill your insurance for your appointments. Insurance will cover your appointment costs as though we are in network. You will still be financially responsible for any costs expected of you if you were seeing someone in network including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. 

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You will need to check with your insurance regarding their specific procedures regarding these processes, but we encourage all patients to take advantage of them.

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How do I make an appointment?

Please reach out to us through our evaluation request form.

 

We use a preliminary screening process to ensure that our services are able to meet your needs. From there, we can schedule an appointment for an initial evaluation with a psychiatrist to discuss diagnoses and treatment plans. Once you establish care with us, you will be able to schedule follow up appointments via your patient portal. 

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How do I contact the doctor if I have questions as an established patient?

As an established patient, you can utilize the patient portal for all contact. From there you can find information on how to contact our office, pay your bills, or schedule appointments.

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You will be required to make an account using your email on file and a self-generated password.