The most common cause of not having promptly available appointments for initial evaluations or return visits is the patient who doesn't show up for his/her appointment or calls to cancel at the last minute.  Our appointment policies are designed to enhance appointment availability and to provide you with optimum care.

1. Initial appointments - 60 minutes to 75 minutes in length.  This is the psychiatric "History and Physical."  It involves a detailed history of the individual's concerns and symptoms, past mental health treatments, current and past medical history, current medicines, past and current social and family history, and formal mental status exam if indicated.  Thorough completion of The Health Information Questionnaire in our intake packet greatly simplifies this evaluation and allows you and your doctor to focus most on your greatest concerns.  The evaluation also involves discussion by your doctor of diagnostic impressions as well as education about cause, course of condition over time, and prognosis.  Referral for further testing might occur to complete the evaluation.  Discussion of treatment options if necessary, which includes both pharmacologic (medicine) and non pharmacologic approaches will occur.  This education is crucial to assist the individual to become an active participant in his/her care.
   
   Studies have shown that the no show rate for first time appointments drops from about 20% to about 4% simply by providing appointments to those who complete the initial paperwork.  It is a requirement of our practice that reviewing and completing the initial paperwork will be done before an appointment will be provided.  It can be completed at the office, be mailed or faxed to you and be mailed in, or dropped off.  You may also download the initial paperwork here.  Once this is received and reviewed, you will immediately be contacted to schedule the evaluation appointment.
2. Follow up visits - 30 minutes in length.  These visits are the "meat and potatoes" of care.  Testing results are reviewed.  Symptoms and side effects of treatment are reviewed and education is provided.  The treatment plan is discussed and revised as is necessary.  Brief psychotherapy is provided.  These appointments are usually made with the assistance of office staff before leaving the office, but can also be done by phone.
3. Medication check - 15 minutes to 20 minutes in length.  This is a focused recheck of symptoms and tolerance/response to treatment in between follow up visits.  They are frequently done as telephone visits and are billed to your credit card at the time of service.  A lengthier phone question/reassessment, even if unscheduled, will be billed similarly.  The telephone visit is not a long term substitute for the face to face follow up visit.  Regular visits are the only way to safely and effectively monitor and treat complex conditions.