Frequently Asked Questions

 General Information

  • Constellation Psychiatry specializes in treating children, adolescents, and young adults, typically ages 5 and up, along with perinatal patients. As a pediatric and adult psychiatrist, I welcome patients outside of this age range on a case-by-case basis. As patients grow older outside this age range, I can continue to see them.

  • Constellation Psychiatry provides care for a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, and behavioral challenges. While most mental conditions can be treated at Constellation Psychiatry, some specific presentations are best served by specialized programs, including: 

    - Active eating disorders requiring intensive treatment
    - Primary substance use disorders requiring addiction treatment programs
    - Severe psychotic disorders requiring stabilization

    If you're unsure whether your situation is a good fit, please reach out to discuss your needs.

  • Not necessarily. "Medication management" is the term used to describe ongoing psychiatric care where medication may be considered as part of the treatment plan, but it doesn't mean medication is required or automatic. Some patients and families ultimately decide medication isn't the right fit right now, and that's often a perfectly reasonable pathway in our work together. I consider medications as just one part of my toolset in helping you reach your treatment goals. My approach is to carefully weigh whether medication could help, discuss the options and any concerns you have, and move forward only when it makes sense for your specific situation, including adjusting or stopping medication when appropriate.

  • Constellation Psychiatry can support you with both medication management and therapeutic interventions. I integrate psychotherapy into my sessions, drawing from a combination of therapeutic styles such as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness practices when appropriate. For some patients, I may also recommend additional dedicated therapy with a psychologist or therapist.

  • Diagnosis is one part of the evaluation process. During our comprehensive evaluation, I gather your full history, current concerns, and clinical presentation to arrive at a diagnostic impression based on my clinical interview and assessment.

    In some cases, I may recommend a referral for further psychological or neuropsychological testing. Formal neuropsychological testing involves standardized tests administered over multiple sessions, usually by a psychologist, to answer specific questions (for example, IQ testing, learning differences, a detailed cognitive profile, etc). I don't provide this type of testing directly, but if it seems clinically useful for your situation, I'm glad to discuss whether a referral makes sense as part of your care.

  • No, Constellation Psychiatry provides ongoing psychiatric care and does not offer crisis intervention services.

    If you or your child are experiencing any of the following mental health emergencies:

    • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

    • Severe medication side effects

    • Acute psychosis or loss of touch with reality

    • Any situation requiring immediate attention

    Please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. 

    For established patients, after any crisis situation, please reach out to coordinate your ongoing care appropriately.

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 Appointments & Sessions

  • Initial evaluations are comprehensive assessments designed to understand your concerns and background. For adults, these last 60 minutes. For children and adolescents, these last 90 minutes and typically include time with both the patient and parents/guardians. We'll discuss your concerns, personal situation, background, and goals to begin developing a personalized treatment plan.

  • The frequency of appointments varies based on individual needs. Initially, we may meet more frequently (every 2-4 weeks) as we establish care and find the right approach. As treatment progresses and stability improves, appointments may become less frequent.

  • All appointments are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom. You'll receive a link shortly before your appointment. You'll need a private space with reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and approximately 5-10 minutes to set up before the appointment.

  • At least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling is requested. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours) may incur a fee as outlined in my policies.

 Billing & Payment

  • Constellation Psychiatry accepts select insurance plans, as listed on the Services page.

    For patients with other insurance plans, Constellation Psychiatry is considered out-of-network. I provide detailed superbills that can be submitted for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement varies by plan.

    I recommend contacting your insurance provider before your first appointment to verify your out-of-network mental health benefits and understand your potential reimbursement.

  • Constellation Psychiatry accepts all major credit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and electronic payments through our secure patient portal.

  • If utilizing out-of-network benefits, reimbursement varies widely depending on your specific insurance plan. I recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to ask about their out-of-network mental health benefits.

 Medication & Treatment

  • No. While medication can be an important tool, it's not always necessary or appropriate for everyone. I take a comprehensive approach that considers all available options, including non-pharmacological approaches. If medication is recommended, I'll thoroughly discuss the benefits, potential side effects, and alternatives.

  • Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy.

  • The duration of treatment varies widely depending on the individual's needs, the condition being treated, and response to treatment. Some patients may benefit from shorter-term care focusing on specific issues, while others may need longer-term support. We will regularly review progress together and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

 Privacy & Communication

  • Yes, your privacy as a patient is protected by law. Constellation Psychiatry adheres to all HIPAA regulations and maintains strict confidentiality. Your information is not shared without your written consent, except in specific situations required by law, such as when there is risk of harm to yourself or others.

  • Constellation Psychiatry takes a developmentally appropriate approach to confidentiality. 

    For patients under 18, I balance respect for your child’s age and privacy while keeping parents appropriately informed. General treatment progress and safety concerns are always shared with parents. Specific details of conversations with minors may remain confidential.

    Once a patient turns 18, they have legal control over their health information. I cannot share information with parents without an adult patient's written consent. However, I often encourage family involvement when clinically appropriate, and can discuss the benefits of limited information sharing with family members.

  • You can contact Constellation Psychiatry through the patient portal, email, or voicemail. The patient portal is the preferred method for security. Please be aware that as a small practice, the phone line is not staffed 24/7 and any phone calls will likely not be able to be answered live or returned immediately. Whenever possible, relevant voicemail and email messages are returned within 1-3 business days. Messages left after 12pm on Fridays and on weekends may not be reviewed until the following business day (Monday through Friday).

 Getting Started

  • Please click the "get started" button on our website to access the booking portal and request your initial evaluation. You'll answer a few brief questions when booking to help ensure I'm the right fit for your needs. I’ll review and confirm with you within 1-2 business days.

    For established patients, please utilize the online booking system or contact me for assistance.

  • While most requests are confirmed, occasionally I may need to refer you to another provider if:

    • Your needs fall outside my area of expertise or scope of practice

    • You're experiencing a crisis requiring immediate care

    • Your situation would be better served by a different type of specialist

    If this happens, I'll do my best to provide helpful referrals and point you in the right direction.

  • After your initial evaluation is scheduled and confirmed, you'll receive access to the secure patient portal where you'll complete the intake form and other required paperwork. The intake form will request more information on your concerns, health history, and personal background.

Still have questions? Please reach out, I’m happy to help.

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