Do I really need a Psychiatrist? I can usually handle my problems.
Why do people go to see a psychiatrist and how do I know if it is right for me?
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
In-person appointments -Tuesdays, 9 am - 5 pm.
How can Psychiatry Help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychiatry. I can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, and stress management. Many people also find that Psychiatry can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Psychiatry can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from psychiatric visits depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from psychiatry include:
- Medication assistance in managing issues like ADHD, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
- Increased success at school or work
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek help
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need a psychiatrist? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, psychiatry is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking help. Psychiatry provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to see a psychiatrist and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to see a psychiatrist. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, ADHD, depression, anxiety, addictions, and relationship problems. Psychiatry can help provide medication assistance to manage emotions, some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking help are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is Psychiatry like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for psychiatry, visits will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous psychiatry session. Depending on your specific needs, psychiatry can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from psychiatry if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of psychiatry is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in sessions, your provider may suggest some things you can do outside of your sessions to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychiatry are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per session?
- How many sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and provider. Successful psychiatry requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the provider's office. Every provider should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your provider to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your provider cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require mental health specialists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires providers to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the provider has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
