What to Expect

If you are an adult, the first visit will be an evaluation which includes a diagnostic assessment and a general plan for treatment. Of course, assessment is often an ongoing process as I get to know you and so sometimes the diagnosis and the general plan for treatment will change as needed (ie an initial diagnosis may be depression based on history and presentation but some individuals who experience a first episode of depression may later develop bipolar symptoms, or someone who initially presents with a grief reaction may develop symptoms that should be treated as depression). At this point I will also very likely order laboratory work to assess your general health and to make sure you have no medical conditions or vitamin deficiencies which could impact your emotional state. 

If you are an adolescent or are seeking treatment for an adolescent expect that the evaluation period may take up to several sessions as information is often obtained from parents and the school.

Once the initial evaluation in completed appointments are scheduled to begin treatment. If we together have decided that psychotherapy is an important part of your treatment we will most likely schedule appointments on a regular basis, perhaps weekly. If we decide medication is appropriate I will most likely see you soon after the initial appointment to ascertain whether the chosen medication is helping and to make sure there are no troublesome side effects.  

The evaluation appointment is generally at least an hour and may be as long as an hour and a half. The follow-up appointments are usually 40 minutes (45 minutes if the treatment include psychotherapy). In some cases appointments may be longer (family therapy, crisis therapy, meeting with family members) and in some cases shorter (long term medication treatment if you are very stable and there are no current symptoms). The cost of treatment will depend on the time involved. You can ask about this at the onset of treatment.