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What to ask before you book psychiatric care

A short list you can use with any provider, followed by my own answer to each question.

Why a Few Questions Help

Booking psychiatric care can feel like a big step, especially the first time. A few questions beforehand can tell you who you will be seeing, what the first visit asks of you and what it will cost, so less is left to guesswork.

These questions work with any psychiatric provider, including me. Use as many or as few as you like, and put them in your own words. Clear, plain answers are a fair thing to expect from whoever you choose.

Who will I see at each appointment?
Can I be seen in person, by telehealth or both?
What happens at the first visit, and how long is it?
How are medication decisions made?
What does each visit cost, and what is the cancellation policy?

How to Use the List

A few small steps make the questions easier to ask.

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1
Pick the Ones That Matter
Not every question will carry the same weight for you. Mark the two or three you most need answered, such as cost or who you will see.
2
Ask Before the First Visit
A short conversation before booking is a fair time to ask. With me, that is the free 15-minute phone consult.
3
Notice How the Answers Land
Plain, direct answers are worth listening for. So is whether you felt heard while you asked, rather than hurried along.

How I Answer Them

Here are my answers to the first four, with cost and cancellations in the fees section further down.

Who You Will See

Me, every time. Dakota Psychiatric Care is a solo practice, so the person who does your evaluation is the person at each follow-up session.

Where You Can Be Seen

The initial evaluation can be at my office on Western Ave SW in Minot, or by telehealth anywhere in North Dakota or Iowa. You can also ask for an evening appointment.

What the First Visit Involves

An initial evaluation of 60 to 90 minutes, for $300. We go over what brought you in, your history, your life right now and what you want care to look like.

How Medication Decisions Get Made

Together. You know your body and I bring clinical training, and we use both. Medication management may be one part of a plan, next to supportive interventions such as CBT and DBT skills.

Answers No One Can Give in Advance

Some questions don't have a fixed answer before you start, such as how long care will last or how you will respond to a treatment. People respond differently, so the honest answer is that it varies, and that your progress gets reviewed along the way.

If you are not sure yet what you want from care, that is all right too. Working it out is part of the initial evaluation, and what matters to you is allowed to change as care goes on. We keep checking in.

Questions About Booking

Is it all right to ask a provider all of these?

Yes. Asking is part of choosing care that fits you, and I am glad to answer each one during the free 15-minute phone consult.

What if I think of a question after I book?

Write it down and ask it at the start of your initial evaluation. You can also stop me at any point during the visit to ask why I am asking something.

Should I ask about insurance?

If it matters to you, yes. Most of my clients pay privately, and I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance plan if you want to seek out-of-network reimbursement. Whether the plan reimburses you is up to the plan, so ask them before your first visit.

Fees in Brief

To answer the last question on the list, the 15-minute phone consult is free, the initial evaluation is $300 and follow-up sessions are $125 each. To cancel, please give 24-hour notice; a late cancellation or missed session carries a $45 fee.

Fees and payment