What Is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is your first appointment with us. It is how we figure out what is going on and what to do about it. We sit down together, talk about what you have been dealing with, and get a clear picture of your mental health. By the end, you will have a diagnosis (or at least a working one) and a treatment plan that makes sense for your situation.
A lot of people put off this appointment because they are not sure what to expect or they worry about being judged. Here is the truth: nothing you tell us is going to shock us. We have heard it all, and our job is to help -- not to evaluate your character.
What We Look For
We screen for the conditions we see most often: depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, panic disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and PMDD. We also look at whether physical health issues might be contributing -- things like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, or medication interactions. If you have been diagnosed before, we review that diagnosis to make sure it still fits. If you have never seen a mental health provider, we start fresh.
What to Expect
The appointment lasts about 45-60 minutes. We will ask about your symptoms, when they started, how they affect your daily life, your medical history, your family history, and what treatments you have tried. You do not need to have your whole life story prepared. Just show up and answer honestly.
At the end of the evaluation, your provider will share what they think is going on and what the options are. If medication is a good fit, we can often write a prescription that same visit. If we want more information first -- like GeneSight testing results -- we will explain the plan and timeline.
What to Bring
Your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of any medications or supplements you take. If you have previous medical or psychiatric records, bring those too. But if you do not have any of that, come anyway. We work with what we have.
Insurance and Payment
Initial evaluations are covered by most insurance plans, including SelectHealth, Regence, Molina, and Utah Medicaid. Cash-pay rates are available if you do not have insurance. Call us to check your benefits before your first visit.