Initial Psychiatric Evaluation

An Initial Psychiatric Evaluation with me is a 60 - 90 minute, unhurried conversation designed to understand you as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. I start by listening to what brings you in right now - anxiety, low mood, focus problems, trauma, burnout, or a mix of everything - and how it actually shows up in your day-to-day life.

From there, I explore your history in a thoughtful, structured way: mood, sleep, attention, medical conditions, past treatments, substance use, family patterns, identity, culture, and stressors at work, school, or home. If you are an immigrant, a first-generation student, or living with ADHD, I pay special attention to how those experiences shape your mental health and your energy.

When it makes sense, I review recent labs or suggest new ones to rule out things like thyroid issues, anemia, or vitamin deficiencies that can quietly worsen mental health. I also ask about your routines - sleep, nutrition, movement, and screen time - because these pieces often hold simple, realistic opportunities for relief.

By the end of the visit, you leave with a clear, collaborative plan. That may include medication recommendations, lifestyle changes broken into doable steps, grounding or mindfulness practices, and referrals to therapy or complementary supports, such as acupuncture or trauma-focused care. Medication is never automatic; I walk you through options, expected benefits, possible side effects, and what monitoring will look like so you feel informed and in control.

This evaluation is especially helpful if you have felt dismissed, rushed, or misread in the past. My goal is for you to feel seen, understood, and steady enough to take the next right step in your care - whether that means starting medication, adjusting what you already take, or focusing first on non-medication strategies.