An initial psychiatric consultation by a board-certified psychiatrist is scheduled for 90 minutes. Children, teens, and adult patients living at home will generally require 1-2 additional 45-minutes sessions in order to complete a psychiatric evaluation prior to beginning treatment. Adults not living with their parents will generally require one additional 45-minutes session prior to starting treatment. The number of sessions to complete an evaluation is determined on an individual basis. A comprehensive evaluation will ensure safe practices by collecting all the medically necessary information, including medical history and blood tests. The initial sessions aim to provide an assessment of your (or your child’s) mental health needs to help determine the best available treatment options, which may include referral(s) to another specialist or programs that offer a higher level of care such as an Intensive Outpatient Program or Residential Treatment Program.

During the initial psychiatric evaluation process, the psychiatrist will act as a consultant to your family. Please note that you have not yet established the doctor-patient relationship through a consultation alone. However, at the end of the initial evaluation process, if you and the doctor feel that this is a “good fit,” then you (or your child) will continue the treatment plan as recommended by our psychiatrists to become an “established patient.” Note that our physicians almost never prescribe medication on the first visit, even if you (or your child) have been on medication. Please read and sign Mind Study Center’s policies prior to your first appointment. These are documents that allow our clinicians the authority to treat you or your child (e.g., consents). Signing this consent form will also authorize us to review your past medication history and Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) in order to get a more comprehensive overview of your (or your child’s) medical history.