What is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is a sit-down conversation with a licensed psychiatric provider to figure out what is going on. No tricks. No judgment. Just an honest talk about your symptoms, your history, and what you have tried before -- so we can give you a diagnosis that makes sense and a plan that works.
A lot of people put this off because they are not sure what to expect. Others have been dealing with symptoms for years and assumed it was just how they were wired. Getting a clear answer changes things. Anxiety and ADHD can look the same. Depression and bipolar disorder overlap early on. The right diagnosis leads to the right treatment.
What Happens During the Evaluation
Your first visit is about 60 minutes. We talk about what you are experiencing now, when it started, and what makes it better or worse. We ask about your medical history, family history, and anything you have tried before -- medications, supplements, whatever. We may use screening tools to help, but the conversation is the core of it.
For kids and teens, we bring parents into the process. Hearing from the family helps us see the full picture.
After the Evaluation
You leave your first visit with a diagnosis and a treatment plan. If medication makes sense, we can often start it that same day. If we think GeneSight testing would help guide which medication to try, we set that up right away.
Insurance and Payment
Psychiatric evaluations are covered by most insurance. We accept Blue Cross NC, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and NC Medicaid plans (Healthy Blue, WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas). Cash pay is available.
When to Come In
If your symptoms are getting in the way -- at work, at home, in your relationships -- an evaluation is the place to start. You do not need a referral. You do not need to have the right words for what you are feeling. That is our job to help sort out.
Related Conditions We Treat
PTSD Evaluation
Trauma changes how your brain processes the world. If you are dealing with flashbacks, trouble sleeping, feeling on edge all the time, or avoiding places and people that bring back memories -- you do not have to carry that alone. Our providers across Hickory and the Catawba Valley create a safe space to talk about what you are going through and find a way forward.
Medication can help take the edge off PTSD symptoms. SSRIs are the most common starting point -- they help with the anxiety, the mood changes, and the intrusive memories. If nightmares are a big part of your experience, we may also use prazosin to help you get real rest. We move at your pace and check in often.
Healing from trauma is not a straight line, and we understand that. Our approach is steady follow-up and honest check-ins. We adjust your treatment as things change, celebrate the wins, and stay by your side through the harder days.
Bipolar Disorder Assessment
If you have been treated for depression but nothing seems to work -- or if you notice times when your mood swings the other direction into unusual energy, big ideas, or risky choices -- bipolar disorder may be the missing piece. Our providers across Hickory and the Catawba Valley take the time to understand your full story, not just a snapshot.
A good bipolar evaluation looks at your entire mood history. We ask about the highs and the lows, how long they last, what triggers them, and how they affect your relationships and daily life. Many people do not realize their "good days" are actually hypomanic episodes until someone asks the right questions.
Treatment for bipolar disorder is different from treating depression alone. Mood stabilizers are the foundation, and getting started on the right one early makes a real difference. We walk through your options together and check in regularly to make sure you are feeling stable and supported.
