Consultation
If you are new to our office, you will be scheduled for a new patient consultation. During the consultation we will review the reasons you are seeking assessment or treatment, review your previous treatment history, personal habits, medical history, family history, social history, and developmental history. In addition, the doctor will conduct a brief mental status examination.
Based on this information, we will develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
- If the treatment plan includes medication management, the psychiatrist will review your intake notes and suggest a medication plan.
- If the treatment plan includes counseling, you may schedule a future appointment with the psychologist, be referred to a new therapist, or return to your established therapist for care (1 hour sessions).
- If the treatment plan includes testing, you will schedule a future appointment with the psychologist for additional assessment and testing (1-8 hours-depending on the purpose).
A consultation appointment is scheduled for up to 1 hour.
Medication Management
Once you are an established patient, you will return to our office every two weeks, four weeks, three months or six months for medication management. Scheduling intervals are determined by the psychiatrist, depending on your current condition.
During medication appointments, the psychiatrist will review your current health status, inquire about your medications and make any needed adjustments to your medication schedule.
Medication management appointments typically last up to 15 minutes.
The psychiatrist’s primary focus is psychiatric consultation and medication management. The psychiatrist does not provide counseling services, however he strongly encourages his patients to participate in therapy. Studies indicate that patients who receive CBT in addition to treatment with medication have better outcomes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By exploring patterns of thinking that lead to self-destructive actions and the beliefs that direct these thoughts, individuals can modify their patterns of thinking to improve coping skills.
CBT is useful for a wide variety of illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, sleep disorders and psychotic disorders.
Patients that participate in CBT can expect the psychologist to be problem-focused, and goal-directed in addressing the challenging symptoms of illnesses.
Therapy appointments are scheduled for 1 hour. The frequency of therapy appointments are determined by the patient and the psychologist.
Psychological Testing
Neuropsychological evaluations are helpful in developing a plan of care for individuals with cognitive deficits. Deficits can coexist with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder. In addition neuropsychological deficits can be acquired in cases such as closed head injury or strokes. Neuropsychological deficits may be secondary to a neurodevelopmental issues such as Autism. As we age, neuropsychological deficits are often attributed to neurodegenerative diseases or processes such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, or Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.
Neuropsychological testing may be recommended by the doctor when cognitive deficits are suspected or there is a need to grade for severity or progression of deficits over time.
In addition to neuropsychological testing, we administer the most commonly utilized psychological instruments for a wide range of psychological needs.
Psychological testing is very helpful for planning or adjusting to future school and work roles.
Testing typically last 4 to 8 hours depending on the patient’s needs.
Feedback Session
Feedback sessions are scheduled after all testing is complete. The feedback session is an opportunity for the psychologist and the patient to review all of the assessment findings together.
Feedback sessions typically last 1 hour.
Case Management
Many patients need personal medical case management services. We provide case management services by appointment. Case management appointments can be scheduled for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your needs. Examples of medical case management include completing forms, reviewing your case history, and making calls on your behalf.
Crisis
If you do not have time to call our office in emergency situations, please dial 911.
During normal business hours our staff can assist you with emergency situations. Our staff members can call the physician or psychologist, schedule a same day emergency appointment, or refer you to the nearest hospital emergency room.
If we feel you or others are in immediate danger, we may also call 911 or local authorities to assist you.
After business hours, the psychiatrist or psychologist can be reached by the answering service for emergency situations.
Medication Refills
Please have your pharmacy call or fax the office to request medication refills.
Doctor approved refills are processed within two business days. Our office hours are 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday. We are closed on Fridays. We do not call in routine prescriptions on weekends or after business hours.
The office phone number is 972-542-5980.
The office fax number is 972-542-5490.
Important Office Policies:
Please note: We do not fill prescriptions for controlled substances after business hours or on weekends.
The following medications cannot be called into a pharmacy per federal law:
- Ritalin/Ritalin LA
- Adderall/Adderall XR
- Concerta
- Focalin/Focalin IR/FocalinXR
- Dexedrine/Dexedrine SP
- Daytrana
- Vyvanse