What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first appointment 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 typically require 2-3 visits for autism and 2 visits for adults with ADHD, as these evaluations incorporate standardized psychometric testing. For children and adolescents being evaluated for ADHD, 2-3 visits are typically needed, as evaluation includes gathering data from parents and teachers. If multiple conditions are being evaluated at the same time — such as ADHD and autism, or ADHD and anxiety — 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.

For children and adolescents: Evaluations for younger patients are structured with age and developmental stage in mind. For children, I typically meet with parents or guardians first, then with the child and parents together — and depending on the complexity of the evaluation, this may take one to two visits, occasionally three. For adolescents, I like to meet with parents or guardians first, then with the adolescent individually if they are comfortable with that, and then again with the parents or guardians, with or without the adolescent present, to discuss treatment options and next steps.

Please note that for some children and adolescents, depending on their 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 in your care matter deeply to me.

Throughout this process, I work with you as a team. My approach is collaborative and client-centered — every recommendation 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 whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no pressure to commit to anything before you're ready.