New patients
Your first visit, step by step
Starting psychiatric care can feel like a big step. Here’s exactly what happens — from booking to leaving your first appointment with a plan.
Before your appointment
Getting ready
Book your visit
Schedule online or by phone. Choose in person at one of our offices or telehealth.
Complete intake forms
We’ll send secure forms to complete before your visit — about your history, symptoms and goals.
We verify insurance
Our team checks your benefits and lets you know what to expect to pay.
During your first visit
A full evaluation, not a quick check-in
Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Your clinician will ask about:
- What’s bringing you in and how long it’s been going on
- Your mental health history and past treatments
- Medical history, current medications and allergies
- Sleep, substance use, family history and daily life
- Your goals and what you’d like to be different
You’ll finish with a working diagnosis, a clear treatment plan and time to ask questions.
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A list of current medications and doses (or the bottles)
- Names of medications you’ve tried before
- Contact information for your other providers
- Recent lab work or records, if you have them
- A support person, if you’d like — you’re welcome to bring someone
For telehealth: find a quiet, private space and test your camera and microphone a few minutes early.
After your visit
What happens next
Prescriptions
Sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy.
Follow-up
Usually within 2–4 weeks to see how you’re doing.
Referrals
Therapy, if recommended, within our practice.
Questions
Call our office any time during business hours.
Policies
Good to know
Cancellations and rescheduling
Life happens. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance so we can offer the time to another patient.
Minors
For patients under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete intake paperwork and attend at least part of the first visit.
Records from previous providers
Records are helpful but not required to get started. We can request them from your prior providers with your signed authorization.
Appointments available this week
Take the first step today.
Most new patients are seen within the week. Book online or call — we'll take care of the rest.