What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation — a conversation focused on getting to know you, understanding your history, and identifying your goals for care. Together we'll begin to develop a picture of what's going on and what next steps might look like.

Many evaluations can be completed in a single 50-minute visit, though sometimes a second 30-minute session is needed to complete the assessment and move toward diagnosis and treatment planning.

ADHD and autism evaluations are more comprehensive by nature and often require multiple visits. These evaluations may include standardized testing and, for children and adolescents, input from parents and teachers. If multiple conditions are being evaluated at the same time — such as ADHD and anxiety or autism — additional visits may be needed.

Please note that ADHD evaluations are not always conclusive. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions can overlap significantly with ADHD symptoms, and in some cases, these conditions need to be identified and treated before a definitive diagnosis can be made. When this occurs, treatment of an overlapping condition may need to come first, or further neuropsychological testing may be recommended and a referral will be provided.


Children
Evaluations are structured with age and developmental stage in mind. I typically begin by meeting with parents or guardians, and then invite the child to join — either with parents present or individually, depending on what feels most comfortable. Most evaluations take one to two visits, occasionally three, depending on complexity.


Adolescents
You are always welcome at the first visit. I typically begin with a meeting that includes parents or guardians, with the adolescent invited to join if they prefer. This initial visit focuses on gathering important background information, understanding what’s been going on, and hearing your perspective as parents. I then spend time with the adolescent — either individually or with parents present, depending on what feels most comfortable — to better understand their perspective. We come back together to review impressions and discuss next steps and the treatment plan. A complete evaluation typically takes two to three visits.


A note about evaluations for children and adolescents: Depending on age, engagement, and cooperation, a complete evaluation may not be possible via telehealth. In these cases, in-person care or a more comprehensive neuropsychological assessment may be recommended, and an appropriate referral will be provided.


If you are currently taking psychiatric medications, we will review them and discuss how they're working for you. If you are seeking a refill — particularly of a controlled substance such as a stimulant medication for ADHD — please know that I conduct my own thorough evaluation, assessment, and diagnosis before prescribing. This applies even if you have a previous diagnosis and have been prescribed the medication by another provider. Medication decisions may extend beyond the first visit.

Medication is one tool among many in psychiatric care, and it is always your choice. While I may recommend medication as part of a treatment plan, that decision is always yours. If you are hesitant about medication or would like to explore other options first — such as therapy, lifestyle changes, or other approaches — I will support and guide you in that direction without pressure. Your comfort and autonomy matter to me, and this guides how I approach care.

Throughout this process, we work together as a team. My approach is collaborative and client-centered; every decision is made together, with your needs, values, and preferences guiding the way. My role is to bring clinical expertise and evidence-based guidance while ensuring that you remain at the center of every decision about your care.

The first appointment is also a chance to ask questions and see if working together feels like the right fit. There is no pressure to commit to anything before you're ready.