Patient Information

Initial consultations are scheduled following a brief phone screening. A valid credit card is required to reserve your time. Initial evaluations are either 60 or 90 minutes in length (excluding neuropsychological testing) and include a comprehensive psychiatric and medical history. Your provider may also order laboratory tests or conduct a brief neurological exam. With your permission, collateral information may be gathered from family members, prior providers, or significant others to assist in diagnostic clarity and treatment planning. The initial appointment is a consultation and does not guarantee ongoing care. Should both the patient and provider agree to continue, follow-up visits will include 20-minute medication management appointments or 45-minute therapy/family sessions. At minimum, patients engaged in ongoing treatment are required to be seen every three months.

All fees are due at the time of service and payable by cash, check, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). A valid credit card must be kept on file for all patients. This card may be used for:

• Late cancellations or missed appointments
• Phone appointments
• Administrative requests (see below)

If a patient misses two appointments, pre-payment via credit card will be required for future visits. These policies apply regardless of who is financially responsible for the visit. Payment does not confer access to patient records or information without written consent from the patient.

Administrative services are billed at $100/hour and must be pre-paid via the card on file. Please allow 14 business days for completion. These include:

• Letters or forms to third parties
• Medical summaries or record requests
• Discussions with non-patient individuals (with consent)

We follow a strict protocol for prescribing controlled medications. There is no guarantee that a controlled substance will be prescribed, regardless of past diagnoses or prescriptions. Patients should bring documentation such as testing results, prior medical records, and pharmacy history to support past diagnoses. Even when appropriate, prescriptions for controlled substances may be delayed until:

• The second visit
• Records are reviewed
• Prescription databases are consulted
• Collateral assessments are completed

Patients needing immediate access to controlled medications should seek care elsewhere. Disagreement with provider decisions does not waive appointment fees.

Prescription refill requests may be made via phone or email. Please allow 48 business hours for processing. Controlled substance refills require appointments. If you have not been seen in over 3 months, a $25 refill fee will apply, and you will only be provided a 30-day supply. You will be required to be seen for any further medication refills. We do not replace lost or stolen prescriptions. Patients experiencing withdrawal must seek emergency care immediately (call 911 or go to the ER).

We require 48 business hours notice for cancellations. Business hours are Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM, excluding holidays. If insufficient notice is given, first offense is $50.00 missed appointments fee. Subsequent offenses will result in the full appointment fee being charged to the card on file. Insurance does not cover missed appointment charges. Arriving late results in a shortened session, and the full fee still applies. Missing or late canceling two appointments in one year may result in discharge.

A patient's chart may be closed for the following reasons:

• Voluntary termination of care
• Violations of treatment agreements
• Failure to follow up every 3 months
• Two missed or late-canceled appointments
• Clinical needs beyond the scope of the practice
• At the discretion of the provider

Patients will be notified via mail or email if their chart is at risk of closure. Once a chart is closed, we cannot provide medications, crisis support, or new appointments. Restarting care is not guaranteed and may require a 60-minute re-evaluation.

Transfers between providers require a formal request and mutual agreement between the current and proposed providers. Patients are allowed one internal transfer only. If a patient has been discharged, they may not restart care with another provider within the practice.

We offer robotic text reminders for appointments. Patients may opt-in at intake. Standard messaging rates apply. You may cancel at any time by replying "STOP" to a reminder text.

We do not release raw notes or evaluations. Upon request, a summary of care will be provided. Administrative rates apply. Written consent is required to share information with third parties.