Question 1

How do I book my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

The fastest path is the Valant booking link on this site. No referral is required from a primary care doctor. If you have questions before booking, you're welcome to call the practice or send a brief message via the contact page.

Question 2

Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor to see you?

Accepted Answer

No. PPO plans typically process psychiatric visits without a referral. HMO plans sometimes require one — check the back of your insurance card or call your insurer's behavioral-health line to confirm before booking.

Question 3

What's your wait time for a new patient appointment?

Accepted Answer

New patient scheduling is paused right now. Booking will reopen on this site as soon as appointments become available.

If your situation feels urgent, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call your insurer's behavioral-health line for same-day options.

Question 4

What should I expect at the first visit, and how long is it?

Accepted Answer

Plan on 60–90 minutes for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We'll review your history, current symptoms, medical and medication history, family history, and what you'd like to get out of treatment. Follow-up visits are typically 25–30 minutes for medication management.

Question 5

What should I do to prepare for my first session?

Accepted Answer

Bring a list of your current medications and supplements (with doses), the names of past providers and any psychiatric meds you've tried, and brief notes on what's bringing you in. For telehealth, set up in a private room with stable Wi-Fi — headphones are recommended for privacy and audio quality.

Question 6

Do you accept insurance? Which plans are you in-network with?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I'm currently in-network with Aetna and UnitedHealthcare / Optum, and additional commercial insurance plans are in the credentialing process and will be added in the coming months. We verify your benefits before your first visit so you know what to expect — and if your plan isn't yet in-network, we'll talk through out-of-network options or self-pay so your care isn't delayed.

Question 7

How much will my appointment actually cost with insurance?

Accepted Answer

Your cost depends on your plan's copay, coinsurance, and remaining deductible. Most insured patients pay between $20 and $60 per visit. We'll share a personalized estimate before your first appointment.

Question 8

What are your private-pay (self-pay) rates?

Accepted Answer

If you're paying out of pocket, the initial 60-minute evaluation with medical decision-making (CPT 90792) is $400, and the standard 25-minute follow-up (CPT 99214) is $250. The full fee schedule, including letters and forms, is on /insurance.

Question 9

Can I use my HSA or FSA card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Psychiatric medication management is an HSA- and FSA-eligible expense, and I accept those cards as payment.

Question 10

What if my insurance changes during treatment?

Accepted Answer

Let me know as soon as it does. We'll re-run benefits verification on your new plan. If we're not in-network with the new carrier, we'll talk through out-of-network options or self-pay so your treatment isn't interrupted.

Question 11

Do you offer a superbill if I want to submit to my out-of-network benefits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you self-pay, I'll provide an itemized superbill with diagnosis and CPT codes that you can submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement amounts depend entirely on your specific plan, so call the member services number on your card to confirm what's covered.

Question 12

What is a PMHNP, and how is it different from a psychiatrist?

Accepted Answer

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with a doctoral- or master's-level degree in psychiatric nursing and board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). PMHNPs diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances within state limits — much like a psychiatrist. The biggest practical difference is training pathway and length, not scope of psychiatric practice.

Question 13

What conditions do you treat?

Accepted Answer

I treat adults with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and other trauma-related conditions, bipolar disorder, OCD, perinatal mental health concerns, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, sleep concerns, and substance-use concerns. If what you're dealing with isn't on this list, please reach out — I'm happy to tell you whether I'm a good fit or refer you to someone who is.

Question 14

What's your treatment approach?

Accepted Answer

Trauma-informed, collaborative, and whole-person. Medication is one tool among several. We'll talk about sleep, stress, substances, lifestyle, and your support system alongside any prescription decisions, because those things shape how well any medication can work.

Question 15

Do you offer therapy, or just medication management?

Accepted Answer

My practice is primarily psychiatric evaluation and medication management. Most of my patients see me for medications and a separate therapist for talk therapy — that combination tends to produce the best outcomes. I'm happy to recommend trusted therapists in the Austin area.

Question 16

Will you collaborate with my therapist or primary-care doctor?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and I encourage it. With your written permission (a signed release of information), I'll communicate with your therapist, primary-care doctor, or other specialists so your care is coordinated rather than fragmented.

Question 17

Do you prescribe stimulants for ADHD?

Accepted Answer

No. I do not prescribe stimulant medications (Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, Ritalin, Focalin, or similar Schedule II stimulants) for ADHD. Adult ADHD here is treated with non-stimulant medications (atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine ER, clonidine ER, bupropion) plus behavioral and environmental strategies. If you need stimulant management, I'm happy to coordinate with your existing stimulant prescriber or refer you to a colleague who provides it.

Question 18

Do you prescribe other controlled substances (benzodiazepines, sleep medications)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when clinically appropriate — but not at the first visit. I prescribe Schedule IV benzodiazepines short-term for acute anxiety (Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax, Valium) and non-benzodiazepine sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata) when indicated, after a full evaluation, treatment agreement, and PDMP review. Full policy at /policies/controlled-substances.

Question 19

How do refills work?

Accepted Answer

Refills are best handled at scheduled follow-up visits, where we can also check in on how the medication is working. For refills between visits, send a message through the patient portal at least 3 business days in advance. I don't process refills after hours or on weekends.

Question 20

How quickly will I respond to messages between visits?

Accepted Answer

Established patients message me through the Valant patient portal — a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted secure-messaging platform built into the practice's electronic health record — and I respond to non-urgent messages within 1–2 business days. For emergencies — thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, or a medical crisis — call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911 immediately. Don't wait for a portal reply.

Question 21

Do you write emotional support animal (ESA) letters?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for established patients with a documented mental-health condition that meets the criteria. ESA letters are written based on clinical assessment — they're not a checkbox service. There is a per-letter fee — see the additional fees schedule for current pricing. I do not write ESA letters for first-visit patients; we'll establish your diagnosis and care first, typically across one or two visits.

Question 22

Can I ask you to fill out FMLA, ADA accommodation, or disability paperwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for established patients, with a per-form fee that reflects the time these documents take to complete accurately. The full additional fees schedule covers FMLA, long-term disability, ESA letters, ADA accommodations, court letters, and more.

Question 23

How long will I need to be on medication?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your diagnosis, how you respond, and your goals. Many patients feel substantial improvement within 4–8 weeks of finding the right medication and dose. The decision to continue, adjust, or taper is always collaborative — it's your treatment.

Question 24

Are visits in-person or virtual?

Accepted Answer

All visits are 100% telehealth. I see patients who are physically located in Texas at the time of the visit.

Question 25

What technology do I need for a telehealth visit?

Accepted Answer

A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a working camera, microphone, and reliable internet (5+ Mbps). Visits run through Valant's HIPAA-compliant video link — you can join directly in your browser, or via Valant's downloadable mobile app, whichever you prefer.

Question 26

How do I make sure my telehealth visit is private at home?

Accepted Answer

Use a private room with a closed door whenever possible. Headphones add a meaningful layer of privacy if anyone else is home. If a private space at home isn't possible, a parked car works well. You must be physically located in a state where I'm licensed (currently Texas) at the time of the visit.

Question 27

What if I have technical problems during the visit?

Accepted Answer

Call my office line and we'll troubleshoot together. If video isn't cooperating, we can switch to phone-only for the visit. If the issue is on my end, I'll reschedule without charging a cancellation fee.

Question 28

What is your cancellation and no-show policy?

Accepted Answer

Please cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations inside the 48-hour window and no-shows are charged 100% of the visit fee, which insurance does not cover. New patients leave a $400 deposit at booking, which is forfeited if you no-show the intake.

Question 29

What is your privacy and HIPAA policy?

Accepted Answer

Your protected health information is handled in accordance with HIPAA. No information is released without your written authorization, with narrow legal exceptions (for example, imminent risk of harm or court orders). The full Notice of Privacy Practices is at /hipaa-notice.

Question 30

What is your Good Faith Estimate policy?

Accepted Answer

Self-pay and uninsured patients receive a written Good Faith Estimate before the appointment, as required by the federal No Surprises Act. The estimate covers expected charges for the scheduled service. See /good-faith-estimate for the full policy and dispute process.

Question 31

What if I'm in crisis between appointments?

Accepted Answer

If you're in immediate danger, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. For non-emergent but urgent concerns during business hours, send a message through the patient portal and I'll respond as quickly as I can.

Question 32

Are you accepting new patients?

Accepted Answer

Not at the moment — new patient scheduling is paused. Booking will reopen on this site as soon as appointments become available, so it's worth checking back.

Question 33

What states are you licensed in?

Accepted Answer

Texas (licensed APRN-CNP). To see me, you must be physically located in Texas at the time of your appointment, including for telehealth visits.

Question 34

What if I don't think you're the right fit for me?

Accepted Answer

Goodness of fit matters more than almost anything else in psychiatric care. If after a few visits you feel I'm not the right provider for you, please tell me — I won't take it personally, and I can provide referrals to trusted colleagues who may be a better match.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Cost & insurance

Approach & services

Medications & prescribing

Telehealth

Policies

About the practice

Still have questions?