Psychiatric Consultation
Consultations are for adults who’d like a second look at their diagnosis, medications, or treatment.
I’m currently serving New Hampshire by secure telehealth.
I’m currently serving New Hampshire by secure telehealth.
Why seek a second opinion?
You may have spent time in treatment and still have questions. Perhaps your diagnosis has changed over the years, your medication history has become complicated, or treatment hasn’t helped as much as you’d hoped.
Or you might be reaching out because your therapist or primary care provider thinks another perspective could be useful. A consultation gives us time to step back, look at your history together, and consider what might help.
Or you might be reaching out because your therapist or primary care provider thinks another perspective could be useful. A consultation gives us time to step back, look at your history together, and consider what might help.
What we discuss:
We’ll begin with what you most want to understand. We’ll talk about your symptoms, the treatment you’ve had, the medications you’ve tried, and your response.
I’ll also ask about your life and the circumstances in which these difficulties developed. Your medical and developmental history, relationships, and experiences such as trauma may all have a place in that conversation.
Part of my work is diagnostic clarification: considering whether your diagnosis fits your history and current symptoms. My goal is to help you make sense of the clinical picture and think through reasonable next steps.
I’ll also ask about your life and the circumstances in which these difficulties developed. Your medical and developmental history, relationships, and experiences such as trauma may all have a place in that conversation.
Part of my work is diagnostic clarification: considering whether your diagnosis fits your history and current symptoms. My goal is to help you make sense of the clinical picture and think through reasonable next steps.
Medication review and de-prescribing:
Medications may have been recommended at different points in your life, for different reasons. We’ll review why each was prescribed, what it helped with, what side effects you experienced, and whether it still seems useful.
When appropriate, my recommendations may include a ‘de-prescribing’ strategy to reduce or simplify your medications. Those recommendations are grounded in the best available evidence and careful clinical judgment.
Any changes would need to be discussed and made with your current prescriber.
When appropriate, my recommendations may include a ‘de-prescribing’ strategy to reduce or simplify your medications. Those recommendations are grounded in the best available evidence and careful clinical judgment.
Any changes would need to be discussed and made with your current prescriber.
Consultation vs ongoing medication management:
Medication management is an ongoing relationship with a clinician who prescribes your medications, follows how you’re doing, and makes adjustments over time.
My consultation, on the other hand, is a focused, time-limited evaluation. I don’t currently prescribe through this practice. It’s meant to support the care you’re already receiving, so you’re able to continue working with your current therapist, primary care provider, or prescriber.
My consultation, on the other hand, is a focused, time-limited evaluation. I don’t currently prescribe through this practice. It’s meant to support the care you’re already receiving, so you’re able to continue working with your current therapist, primary care provider, or prescriber.
The written summary:
After the consultation, I’ll provide a written summary of my impressions and recommendations. It will be in plain language so you can refer to it and use it to discuss possible next steps with your current providers.
Getting started:
Start with a brief request through the website. I review each request and will let you know whether I think I can be helpful. If so, I’ll send a link to arrange an appointment.
Before we meet, I’ll ask a few questions and let you know how to share relevant information securely. Please don’t send detailed clinical information through the public website contact form.
Before we meet, I’ll ask a few questions and let you know how to share relevant information securely. Please don’t send detailed clinical information through the public website contact form.
Fees and insurance:
I work on a private-pay basis and don’t bill insurance directly. I’ve chosen this approach to make room for comprehensive evaluations.
When you reach out, we can go over fees and questions about receipts, superbills, and possible out-of-network reimbursement.
When you reach out, we can go over fees and questions about receipts, superbills, and possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Common Questions
Do I need to send my records beforehand?
Not necessarily, but I may request them with your consent. There is no need to gather every past record before reaching out.
What should I prepare?
A current medication list, what you remember about treatments you’ve tried, and the questions you most want to discuss are a helpful starting point. I’ll let you know beforehand if there’s anything else we’ll need.
Will we need more than one appointment?
Sometimes a second conversation is useful, especially if your history is complex. If either of us thinks we need more time, we can discuss that during our appointment.
Can we meet by telehealth?
Yes. I currently offer consultations by secure video. You need to be physically located in New Hampshire at the time of the appointment. I’ll review your initial request to consider whether this kind of consultation is appropriate for the questions you’re bringing.
Do you offer emergency or crisis care?
No. This practice is not an emergency or crisis service. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For crisis support, call or text 988.