FAQ

Q: Why should I choose to see a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner rather than another sort of mental health professional?

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners may evaluate, diagnose, and treat illnesses. They promote their clients’ involvement in the improvement of their own health and wellness. Advanced Practice Nurses in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing are trained and certified to provide mental health services. With their broad knowledge, training, and experience, PRNs may function as educators, clinical managers, and psychotherapists.

Q: Do you participate in managed care programs (HMOs, PPOs)?

A: I’m currently not accepting insurance.

As a nurse practitioner who enjoys getting to know my clients and being an integral partner in their treatment, the restrictions imposed by the insurance companies would impede my being invested and involved in their treatment.

In my practice, you do not have to wait up for several months before you can get an appointment with me, unlike providers on the insurance panels. They are often overbooked to meet the fiscal demands of having a practice and getting through the needed number of patients that need to be entertained every day.

I urge you to reach your insurance provider regarding out-of-network benefits and their respective reimbursement rates and procedures. I do not participate in the panels, but I would be happy to provide a receipt with the appropriate identifying information (my license number, address, etc.) and other necessary details. You could then forward them to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please remember that this may be a privacy issue for some since insurance companies require a diagnosis code on said invoice/receipt. In most cases, the best way to maintain privacy is to involve as few people in the process as possible, and some people may therefore prefer to keep their insurance company completely “out of the loop”.

Q: Do you always prescribe medication?

A: No. After an assessment and consultation, we will discuss different therapy approaches and determine which ones work best for you, including medical and non-medication interventions. Therapy is essential in addressing behavioral health issues, while medication may not be. Among the factors that will be considered are personal and family health history and your experiences and symptoms when deciding on the best treatment course.

Q: What should I bring to a consultation?

A: Any past evaluation or testing would be helpful, but not essential. Generally, recent lab work and prescriptions can provide valuable information. For adolescents, copies of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), recent report cards, and any school notes are also useful.

Q: What should I bring to a consultation?

A: Bringing any past evaluation or testing results would be helpful but are not necessary. We also suggest you bring recent lab work results and prescriptions. For adolescents, we recommend you bring copies of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Your recent report cards and any school notes may also be useful.

Q: How do I know if a specific provider is the right one for me?

This decision is very singular for each individual. However, we suggest you consider if the provider is doing their best to provide you the support you deserve in understanding and addressing your issues.

Here are guide questions you may ask yourself: