What can a psychiatric nurse practitioner do for me?
A Psychiatric nurse practitioner  is a certified medical professional that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental illness and psychological problems.  A psychiatric nurse practitioner has completed graduate school, in addition to at least three years of training in the field.  Psychiatric nurse practitioners 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 certification.  Within the profession, each provider has specific areas of interest and specialization but 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 psychiatric evaluation in which we will gather some information such as your history, symptoms, and family dynamics.  Within this first session together, we will then determine the best plan of action to move forward.

Will my treatment be kept confidential?
I will not reveal any information regarding what happens within the work that we do together unless you have signed the Authorization to Disclose Information form.  In the instance that you are in danger of harming yourself or another, then I am obligated by law to notify the authorities of this. 

Will the cost of my treatment be covered by my insurance plan?
My office does not accept insurance, however you will be provided with a receipt/invoice that may be submitted to your insurance carrier for reimbursement. Depending on what type of insurance provider you are currently using, coverage for our services will vary.  Many insurance companies reimburse anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost of services. I take payments are the beginning of each session, and take cash, checks, and all major credit cards.

How long will my treatment last?
There are no precise determinations that we can make regarding the length of your treatment. We will work collaboratively to determine goals for stability and maintenance through medication and therapy. The goal is to get you feeling well as soon as possible and to continue to optimize the treatment over time. Your course of treatment may include medications, psychotherapy and other recommendations for overall health and wellness to achieve and maintain balance. 

What if I have an emergency or an urgent situation come up?
If you find yourself in the midst of an emergency, please immediately call 9-1-1.  If you have an urgent situation, call our office, and we will see you as soon as we can.