What to Expect on the First Visit with a Psychiatrist at Elevate

Smiling woman sitting on a couch talking to a psychiatrist in a bright, comfortable room

Admitting you need help with your mental health can be incredibly challenging—reaching out even more so. We hope you feel proud of yourself for doing so.

The idea of meeting with a psychiatrist can be intimidating and even anxiety-inducing. To help ease your fears, here’s what to expect on the first visit to a psychiatrist.

Your Choice: Virtual or In-Person Meeting

With virtual therapy becoming more accessible, people often decide whether they want in-person or telehealth psychiatry appointments. For some, being in the comfort of their home helps ease their nerves—especially for the first visit. For others, they prefer to be in person for a different environment.

Because both styles are equally effective, we’re proud to offer in-person and virtual appointments in Coconut Grove and Doral, FL. Our Brickell location offers virtual appointments.

Our telehealth system is secure and HIPAA compliant, so you don’t have to worry about your personal information being seen by the wrong people. Our offices offer a comfortable environment that offers a hospitable atmosphere—not a clinical one.

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What to Bring to Your First Psychiatric Appointment

While it’s not necessary to bring anything with you, a little preparation can go a long way.

Medical or Psychiatric History

If you have access to your medical or psychiatric history (both for you and immediate family), that can help you fill out the paperwork involved in the first appointment.

List of Medications

You should also bring a list of medications you take, both past and present. You can include how long you took them and why you stopped taking them.

Questions

Let’s Talk: What Questions Does a Psychiatrist Ask on the First Visit?

When you first meet with one of our psychiatrists, you’ll have an hour-long appointment to get to know each other. Typical questions asked include:

What brings you in today?
What are your symptoms?
What would you like to get out of working together?
Have you seen a psychiatrist before? If yes, how was the experience for you?
Do you feel anxious or sad most days?

Please understand that there are no “wrong” answers to these questions. Your psychiatrist simply wants to understand your needs and determine a working diagnosis—a preliminary reason for your symptoms. This may change as they get to know you through more appointments.

This is meant to be the first step in working together to get you the treatment that suits you best.

If any questions are too triggering, you absolutely have the right to say that you aren’t ready to talk about that particular subject.

Our Holistic Approach to Treatment

Do psychiatrists prescribe medication on the first visit? The answer depends on the practice, but we don’t.

When you come to Elevate Psychiatry, be assured we don’t simply treat your symptoms—we want to improve your overall health. Don’t be surprised if we ask for blood work or for you to get a physical.

We take a holistic view on mental health treatment, which includes your physical health.

This may mean we address some physical symptoms in addition to mental health symptoms. We may suggest medication and a lifestyle change, spend time talking with you as you untangle a variety of memories and feelings, and even suggest you work with other health professionals to ensure all aspects of your body are being cared for.

It’s whatever you need.

Together, the two of you will create a plan that works for you. As the treatment goes on, don’t hesitate to ask questions or for changes. Your treatment plan should be adaptable as your needs change. You are always part of decision-making.

Elevate’s Treatment Options

We offer various treatment methods to ensure you receive a custom treatment plan to address your needs.

Medication Management
Talk Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (this requires in-person appointments)
Spravato® Treatment (this requires in-person appointments)
Genetic Testing

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After Your Visit

After your visit, you can schedule your follow-up appointments if you choose to. If you become a patient, you’ll gain access to our patient portal, which will make tracking and scheduling your appointments easier. You will also be able to send your psychiatrist messages if you have follow-up questions or medication concerns.

Insurance and Payment Options

Our treatments are insurance-based, and we accept most insurances:

AARP
Aetna
Ambetter
Avmed
Beacon
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Careplus
Carisk
Cigna
Concordia
Florida Blue
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim
Healthsun
Humana
Leon Medical
Magellan
Medica
Medicare
Meritain
Mhnet
Multiplan
New Directions
Optum
Positive Healthcare
Preferred Care Partners
Simply Healthcare
Sunshine Health
Tricare
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
United Student Resources
Worker’s Compensation

Please be aware that being listed here does not ensure coverage or confirm that the provider available will accept your insurance.

For payment, we accept:

Cash
All major credit cards
HSA cards
FSA cards
Apple Pay
Android Pay

Support Starts Here

Your first visit to a psychiatrist can be the first step in a life-changing journey, and we want to be part of that journey. We’ll work with you as a partner, allowing you to make decisions about your care from the first appointment.

Schedule an appointment to start your care and healing journey with Elevate Psychiatry today!

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