Getting started

Who do you see?
We provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management for children as young as 6 and through late adulthood. Common concerns include ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar depression, insomnia, and PTSD; as well as questions about whether your current medications are the right fit.

How do appointments work?
All visits are held either in-person or by secure video, so you can meet from home or another private space. You must be physically located in Maine or Connecticut at the time of your appointment.

What happens at the first appointment?
Your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation of about 60 minutes. We'll discuss your symptoms, history, past treatment, medications, and goals, and you may complete brief questionnaires. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of what we're seeing and a recommended plan.

What should I prepare?
Have your current medication list handy, along with the names of any past providers, and any prior evaluations or medical records you can share (labs, EKG, notes, etc.). Choose a private, quiet spot with a reliable internet connection.

Does the evaluation mean I'm now your patient?
An evaluation is an assessment, not a commitment to ongoing treatment on either side. Ongoing care begins when we agree on a plan together and you complete the new-patient paperwork and consents.

What to expect during your video visit

What do I need to do to have a successful video visit?
Please join from a private, quiet, safe place with a stable internet connection, and be ready a few minutes early. Dress as you would for any in-person appointment. Our time together is for your care, and it works best when you can give it your full attention.

Can I be driving, or in a car, during my visit?
No. For your safety and others', you must not be driving or operating a vehicle during your visit. If you're in a parked vehicle in a safe, private place, that's fine. If we see that you're driving, we'll end the visit immediately and ask you to reschedule.

Are there rules about what I wear or where I join from?
Yes. Please be appropriately dressed, as you would at an in-person appointment. Visits cannot take place while someone is in a state of undress or while using the toilet, in a bath or shower, or in bed in a way that is not appropriate for a medical visit. Please also avoid public places where others could overhear, so your privacy is protected. If any of these occur, we will pause or end the visit and ask you to reschedule.

What if I need a quick break?
Brief pauses happen, and you're welcome to ask for one. Please step away from the camera, mute yourself, and let us know. If you'd like, we can pick up where we left off.

Can someone else be in the room?
You may include another person at your request, but please let us know at the start of your visit. Everyone present should be identified, and no one else may record the visit.

What behavior will lead to a visit ending early?
We may end a visit if:

• you are driving or operating a vehicle during the visit

• you or someone present is inappropriately dressed or in an unacceptable state of undress

• you are using the toilet, bath, or shower during the visit

• you are in a setting that is unsafe or lacks reasonable privacy

• you are verbally abusive, threatening, harassing, or discriminatory toward our providers, staff, students, or residents

• you are visibly intoxicated or otherwise unable to take part safely

What happens if my visit is ended?
We'll tell you the reason and, whenever possible, offer to reschedule. A visit ended for these reasons may be treated as a late cancellation or missed appointment and may be charged the $50 fee. Repeated or serious violations, including abusive or threatening behavior, may lead us to end your care with us. In that case, we will give you appropriate notice and help you find another provider.

What if I'm having an emergency?
We will never end a visit because you are in distress. If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, tell us, and we will help you connect to emergency care. You can also call or text 988, or call 911 for emergencies.

Care and medications

Will I get a prescription at my first visit?
It depends on your situation. Medication is only offered when it is clinically appropriate, and it is never guaranteed. Some conditions need more information, and some medications involve additional safeguards before starting.

Do you prescribe stimulants or other controlled substances?
When clinically appropriate, yes. These medications are subject to additional federal and state requirements. Prescribing them is at our clinical discretion and may involve more frequent visits, checking the state prescription monitoring program, and monitoring of blood pressure and other health measures.

How often will I be seen?
It depends on your needs. Visits are usually more frequent when starting or changing a medication, then spaced out once you're stable. Follow-up visits are typically 20 to 30 minutes.

How do refills work?
Prescriptions are issued as part of scheduled care. Please request refills at least 3 business days before you run out and keep your follow-up appointments, since we may be unable to continue prescribing if you've been out of care for an extended period.

What are the questionnaires I'm asked to complete?
We use brief, standardized questionnaires to track symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD over time. They help us see whether treatment is working and guide decisions about your care. They support clinical judgment but never replace it.

Do I also need therapy?
Not always, but many people benefit from medication and therapy together. If therapy would help, we are proud to provide quality referrals, see our therapy page for further information regarding therapists we would recommend.

Insurance and payment

Do you accept insurance?
We are in network with some commercial insurers (Aetna, Anthem/BCBS, Cigna, and Harvard Pilgrim), if you do not currently see your insurer listed please inquire as we may be in the process of joining their network. We do not accept MaineCare or Medicare. Please verify your benefits before scheduling.

What is your cancellation policy?
Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment. Late cancellations and missed appointments are charged a $50 fee, which insurance does not cover.

Artificial intelligence and recording

Do you use artificial intelligence (AI) in your practice?
Yes. We use an AI-assisted documentation tool to help draft our visit notes. It lets us stay focused on our conversation with you instead of typing, and it reduces distractions during your visit. We review, edit, and approve every note, and clinical decisions are always made by your provider, not by the AI.

Are my sessions recorded?
To produce the draft note, the tool captures the audio of your visit. Once your note is completed, the recording is deleted. Only the finished clinical note is kept in your medical record. The tool is HIPAA-compliant and operates under a business associate agreement that protects your information.

Can I record my sessions?
No. For the safety and privacy of everyone involved, we do not allow patients to record visits in any form. This includes audio, video, screenshots, and wearable devices such as smart glasses. You'll be asked to agree to this in your new-patient paperwork. Please also ensure that no other person or device is recording from your location. If you'd like a record of what we discussed, we're happy to summarize key points, and you can access your visit information through a written formal request. Violating this agreement may affect our ability to continue your care.

Students and residents in our practice

Will students or residents be part of my visit?
Possibly. We are passionate about education and about raising the level of care for everyone, so we regularly welcome graduate students and postgraduate residents into our practice. If one will join your visit, we'll introduce them and explain their role at the start, and they may be present for all or part of your appointment.

What do students do during a visit?
It depends on where they are in their program. Early on, they may simply observe or take notes. As they progress, they may join the conversation and ask questions. Students do not make clinical decisions. All decisions about your care are made by your attending practitioner.

What is a postgraduate resident?
Residents are state licensed and nationally board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners who have chosen to complete an additional year of structured postgraduate training beyond that of their peers. Depending on their progress in the program, a resident may lead your interview. Every resident proposes treatment plans to your attending provider, who has the final say on your overall plan.

Who makes decisions about my care?
Your attending practitioner is ultimately responsible for your care and for the final treatment plan. Residents and students work under the attending's oversight, and residents' recommendations are reviewed before they are put in place.

How is my privacy protected?
Students and residents are held to the same confidentiality standards as our staff and are bound by HIPAA and the practice's privacy policies. The same recording rules apply: no one, including students and residents, may record your visit, apart from the AI-assisted note-taking described above.

Other common questions

Can you complete forms or letters for work, school, or disability?
We do not typically provide letters or forms of this kind. As a psychiatric practice, we meet with patients for medication management at intervals that generally aren't frequent enough for us to know how your condition affects you day to day, which is what a well-supported letter requires. If you think you may need documentation in the future, such as for workplace or school accommodations, we strongly encourage you to start working with a therapist now. A therapist who sees you regularly is usually better positioned to support that kind of request. We're happy to coordinate with your therapist about your treatment.

Is my information confidential?
Yes. Your health information is protected under HIPAA and applicable state law, with limited exceptions such as safety concerns or legal requirements. Visits are held on a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.

What if I'm in crisis?
This practice is not for emergencies. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. For a medical emergency, call 911.