Prepare for Your Visit

List and Prioritize Your Concerns.

A basic plan can help you make the most of your appointment whether this will be your initial consultation or the follow up visit. Make a list of what you want to discuss. Are you concerned about how a treatment is affecting your daily life? If you have more than a few items to discuss, put them in order and ask about the most important ones first. Don’t put off the things that are really on your mind until the end of your appointment—bring them up right away!

Doctor will want to know about any medical conditions you have now or had in the past. He or she will want to know about past visits with mental health professionals. Many medical and psychiatric conditions may run in families, and usually the psychiatrist will ask you about your family’s health history. They will also ask you about your current medications, both for medical and psychiatric conditions.

What to bring to your First Appointment

Bring the list of all your prescription drugs (include doses) over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements. You should also take your insurance cards, names and phone numbers of other doctors you see, and your medical records if the doctor doesn’t already have them. If you had your blood work done recently bring the report with you or ask your primary care doctor to forward them to our office. To save time please print and fill out the Intake Form, and familiarize yourself with our HIPAA Privacy Notice.
Intake Form
HIPAA Privacy Notice

What to expect from your First Appointment

The first appointment, an initial evaluation, the psychiatrist will want to get to know you and what difficulties you are experiencing. These appointments are typically between 40 and 60 minutes. You will be asked what kind of issues are concerning you, and how are they affecting your life? You will be asked about a range of symptoms, and how you have tried to cope with them.

Be Sure You Can See and Hear as Well as Possible

Many older people use glasses or need hearing aid. Remember to take your eyeglasses to the doctor’s visit. If you have a hearing aid, make sure that it is working well and wear it. Let the doctor and staff know if you have a hard time seeing or hearing.
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