FAQ
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frequently asked questions
We are honored that you trust us with your care. Call the office to schedule an appointment. Create your account on the Patient Portal. Have your driver’s license and insurance card available because you will need to upload these to your portal account. Complete all the new patient forms online. We will get back to you to confirm receipt of your forms and inform you of your monetary responsibility, and anything else pertinent to your upcoming appointment.
If the stars align exactly right, sometimes appointments are available within one week, due to a cancellation. Insurance verification takes 1-2 days. If an appointment slot is available and the client completes all their intake forms, we do our best to fit the client in at the next open availability. On average, we are booked 2 weeks in advance. We highly recommend that clients book their follow-up appointments immediately after each visit to ensure they get a date and time convenient for them. Waiting to book your appointment at the last minute might result in no appointment slots available, and you risk running out of your medication.
Session time is based on individual circumstances and the complexity of the client. On average, an initial visit ranges from 1 hour to 90 minutes. Follow-up visits range between 20-30 minutes. Medication refill visits could be as brief as 10-15 minutes.
Follow-up is based upon each individual client, medication regimen, and other circumstances taken into consideration that relates to response to treatment. On average, follow-up appointments are monthly until the stabilization or remission of symptoms, then appointments could be spread out to quarterly visits. Sometimes clients need to be seen weekly or every two weeks due to mood changes or medication titration that require close monitoring. Clients are informed of what their particular follow-up schedule would be. Your care will be customized to fit your needs, with an overarching goal of safety.
Cancellation policy is to call and cancel at least 24-hours prior to your appointment. We understand that “life happens” and sometimes things come up unexpectedly. When a client is a no-show/no-call, that prevents someone else from being scheduled in that slot. We do our best to meet the needs of clients and fit everyone in at times convenient for them. Clients are granted a one-time no-show/no-call courtesy. Subsequent no-shows will be charged a No Cancellation fee. This fee may vary in price, according to insurance carrier contracts. Missed appointment fees will not exceed $25.00 per missed appointment.
We understand that some clients work every weekday and do not have time to keep an appointment after work. We offer telehealth Saturday visits once a month.
Cost depends on the complexity of the visit, length of time spent with the client, and insurance reimbursement rates, if applicable. Some clients may have an insurance deductible to meet, which will require an out-of-pocket expense equal to the contracted rate of service rendered. The client’s insurance carrier determines this. Most clients have a co-pay amount due at the time of the visit; this amount too can vary. On average, co-pays range between $5.00 – $90.00 per visit. Oftentimes, telehealth visits incur no out-of-pocket co-pay amount according to certain insurances. It is best that clients call their insurance carrier and check benefits, eligibility, and monetary responsibility.
We accept most major commercial insurances such as BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, United, in addition to governmental carriers such as Medicare, and Tricare East. Please refer to the Insurance link to see if we accept your insurance. We advise clients to call their insurance or check their insurance portal to see if we are in-network.
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The word “emergency” can mean different things to different people. If a situation is life-threatening, dial 9-1-1. If someone is a threat to themself or someone else, dial 9-1-1. We can be reached during normal our business hours. The client or family member/loved one should please call us so that we may offer advice or guidance. If the office is closed, the Crisis hotline is available 24-hours a day, every day of the year. The Crisis hotline number is 2-1-1.
Medications come with risks, benefits, and side effects. There are also risks of non-treatment. These will be explained to the client during their visit.
Keeping appointments is particularly important, as this is how a clinician will determine response to treatment and assess side effects. Sometimes a one-time courtesy refill may be called in, but this is done on a case-by-case basis and depends on what type of medication is requested. A prudent clinician (whether mental health, primary care, or specialty) might not automatically call-in refills if the client is due for a follow-up appointment. Usually, a clinician will write a prescription, and if indicated, allow for a certain number of refills from the pharmacy. Once those refills are exhausted, a follow-up appointment is required to get more medication. Depending upon the outcome of the follow-up visit, the medication dosage may need to be adjusted, it could remain the same, or the medication might need to be changed to something else entirely different – based upon feedback from the client, or results from testing. There is a lot to consider and clinicians aim to keep their clients safe – this is done through regularly scheduled appointments. We advise that once a client picks up their last refill from the pharmacy – call and make a follow-up appointment. At the very least, when about 2-weeks of pills remain in the last refilled prescription bottle – you must contact your clinician and schedule an appointment. Please do not run out of meds.
No, please do not quit your meds cold turkey. Stopping psychotropic medications abruptly could cause withdrawal symptoms or a rebound of distressing symptoms. Medication discontinuance must be reviewed with your clinician and a tapering schedule should be created. In addition, a discussion between the client and clinician should take place that covers warning signs or potential side effects during tapering. Close monitoring during medication onboarding and tapering is highly recommended.
Thirty years of overall nursing experience with the last 5 years devoted to mental health. Dawn has worked in mental health (Baker Act) hospitals. She currently sees clients in long-term care facilities, short-term rehabilitation centers, independent living facilities, and outpatient telehealth.
Dawn is a nurse practitioner by education and training. She is dual board-certified in Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan.
The client will only know that after meeting with the clinician. Due to HIPAA regulations, healthcare providers do not provide customer references. However, clients may choose to offer their feedback willingly. Researching Google reviews might provide some insights about a provider, clinic, or service. During your initial appointment, be sure to discuss client and clinician expectations. Make a list of questions for your clinician and determine if the clinician takes time to listen to you. Consider if there is a tone of mutual respect, and do your personalities work well together. Lastly, keep in mind that sometimes it can be difficult to hear the truth about something. If you are seeking help, be receptive to feedback and constructive criticism.
Medication management, telehealth visits, facility visits, home visits (restrictions apply), and psychotherapy.
Traditional psychotropic medication management and psychotherapy. Future treatment options will include biofeedback.
Client age ranges are between 13 years of age and 102 years of age.
Follow-up is based upon each individual client, medication regimen, and other circumstances taken into consideration that relate to response to treatment. On average, follow-up appointments are monthly until the stabilization or remission of symptoms, then appointments could be spread out to quarterly visits. Sometimes clients need to be seen weekly or every two weeks due to mood changes or medication titration that require close monitoring. Clients are informed of what their particular follow-up schedule would be. Your care will be customized to fit your needs, with an overarching goal of safety.
Your clinician will discuss your progress with you at each monthly appointment. Completion of requested screening forms is an important part of your visit, and this is a component of tracking your progress and success of treatment. Clients will have access to their Patient Portal and can view trend their screening results.
