Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Supporting young minds and their families with compassionate, personalized care.

About the Practice

Q: What services do you offer?
A: I provide psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and medication management for children, teens, and young adults. My approach is individualized and collaborative, with a focus on helping young people thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

Q: What age groups do you work with?
A: I primarily work with children (ages 6+), adolescents, and young adults (through their mid-20s). I also support parents and caregivers as part of the treatment process when appropriate.

Q: Do you offer therapy, or just medication?
A: I offer both! Some patients see me for therapy and medication management, others for one or the other. We’ll decide together what makes the most sense for your child or young adult’s needs.

Appointments & Telepsychiatry

Q: Do you offer virtual appointments?
A: Yes, most of my appointments are conducted via secure telepsychiatry (video visits). This allows for greater flexibility and accessibility, especially for busy families or students.

Q: Are in-person appointments available?
A: I do offer a limited number of in-person appointments. These are typically reserved for cases where virtual care isn’t ideal or if it’s clinically recommended. Availability may vary.

Q: How do I schedule a consultation?
A: New patient inquiries can be submitted through the contact form on my website. Established patients can request appointments through the secure patient portal.

Getting Started

Q: What’s the process for becoming a new patient?
A: For children and adolescents, the intake process typically involves 2–3 sessions:

Session 1 is a parent-only appointment to gather background, history, and current concerns.
Session 2 is a child-only session focused on building rapport and beginning the clinical assessment.
Session 3 (if needed) is a comprehensive feedback session where we review completed questionnaires, discuss diagnostic impressions, and go over treatment recommendations together.

If time allows, this process can sometimes be completed in just 2 visits.
The total cost for the full child/adolescent intake process is $1300, whether it is completed over two or three sessions.

For young adult and adult patients, the intake is typically completed in 1–2 sessions, depending on complexity. The total cost for adult intakes is $1100.

Insurance & Payment

Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: I am an out-of-network provider, which means I do not bill insurance directly. However, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: I accept credit/debit cards, including HSA and FSA cards. Payment is due at the time of service.

Prescriptions & Medication Questions

Q: Can you prescribe medication?
A: Yes. As a licensed psychiatrist, I can prescribe medication when it’s clinically appropriate. Medication is often one part of a broader treatment plan that may also include therapy, lifestyle changes, or other interventions.

Q: When can prescriptions or refills be provided?
A: Prescriptions and refills will only be issued after a full patient-doctor relationship has been established. This means you must complete the consultation call and all required intake sessions. This ensures I have a thorough understanding of your needs and can prescribe safely and responsibly.

Q: How do I request a refill once I'm an established patient?
A: Refill requests should be made through the secure patient portal. Please allow at least 3 business days for processing.

Q: Do you prescribe controlled substances (e.g., for ADHD)?
A: Yes, when clinically appropriate and in compliance with state and federal guidelines. Regular follow-ups and documentation are required for these prescriptions.

Telehealth Requirements

Q: Do I need to be in a certain location for telepsychiatry?
A: Yes—you must be physically located in the state of California at the time of each telehealth appointment, in accordance with licensing laws.

Q: Can I attend my appointment from my car? A: For your safety and legal reasons, you may not attend your appointment while in a moving vehicle, whether you are the driver or a passenger. Doing so poses a safety risk and creates a liability issue.

If you are in a parked vehicle, you must provide your exact location at the start of the session. This is a safety requirement in the event of a mental health crisis, which may necessitate the involvement of emergency services (e.g., PERT).

Please be advised: If you log in from a moving vehicle, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment.

Q: Is telepsychiatry effective for kids and teens?
A: Absolutely. While some children may need time to adjust, most young patients adapt quickly to video sessions, and many even prefer it. I tailor sessions to the age and developmental level of each patient.