Advocate Psych provides telepsychiatry services throughout North Carolina, Wyoming, and Montana. All appointments are conducted virtually through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. As long as you are physically located in one of these states during your appointment and have a reliable internet connection, care is available.

Advocate Psych evaluates and treats a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, PTSD and trauma-related disorders, insomnia and sleep disorders, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance use concerns, PMDD, postpartum depression and anxiety, behavioral concerns in children and adolescents, and mild to moderate dementia-related behavioral disturbances.

Treatment may include psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, patient education, and coordination of care when clinically appropriate. For a more comprehensive list of conditions treated, please visit our Conditions We Treat page.

Yes. Advocate Psych provides psychiatric care across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults.

Yes. We provide ADHD evaluations, diagnosis, and ongoing medication management when clinically appropriate. Treatment plans are individualized based on each patient's needs, symptoms, and goals.

Yes. Psychiatric medications, including certain controlled substances, may be prescribed when clinically appropriate and in accordance with state and federal regulations. All prescribing decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation and ongoing clinical monitoring.

Advocate Psych primarily focuses on psychiatric evaluations and medication management. During appointments, supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, problem-solving strategies, and coping skills may be incorporated when clinically appropriate to support your overall treatment goals. Patients who would benefit from ongoing, specialized psychotherapy may also be referred to a trusted therapist for additional support.

Your initial psychiatric evaluation is a comprehensive appointment that includes a review of your symptoms, medical history, psychiatric history, medications, treatment goals, and any concerns you would like to discuss. Together, we will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

No. Patients can schedule directly without a referral. However, referrals from therapists, primary care providers, specialists, family members, or other healthcare professionals are always welcome.

Yes. With your permission, Advocate Psych can collaborate with therapists, primary care providers, specialists, and other members of your healthcare team to help ensure continuity of care.

Advocate Psych is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. We are considered an out-of-network provider. Upon request, we can provide a detailed superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits.

Current self-pay rates are:

• Initial Psychiatric Evaluation (60 minutes): $325

• Follow-Up Appointment (40 minutes): $215

• Follow-Up Appointment (20 minutes): $160

Payment is due at the time of service.

Advocate Psych accepts major credit cards as well as many HSA and FSA cards. Patients should verify eligibility and reimbursement requirements with their individual plan administrator.

Telepsychiatry is the delivery of psychiatric care through secure video appointments. It allows patients to access mental health services from the comfort and privacy of their own home while maintaining the same focus on quality, confidentiality, and individualized care.

Advocate Psych strives to provide timely access to psychiatric care. In many cases, new patients can be scheduled within 24–48 hours, depending on availability and clinical needs. Current appointment availability can be viewed through our online scheduling system.

Appointments can be scheduled online at any time through our secure patient portal. If you have questions before scheduling, please contact our office and we will be happy to help.

Your first appointment at Advocate Psych is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation designed to help us understand your symptoms, history, and goals so we can develop a personalized treatment plan together.

Before Your Appointment

• You will receive intake paperwork to complete prior to your visit. This includes questions about your symptoms, medical history, psychiatric history, medications, family history, and other relevant background information.

• Completing your paperwork ahead of time helps us make the most of your appointment.

• Please have a list of your current medications (including doses) available for your visit.

• If you have prior records, evaluations, or lab work from other providers, these can be helpful but are not required.

• For children and adolescents, a parent or legal guardian must be present for the evaluation.

During Your Appointment

Your initial evaluation typically lasts 60 minutes. During this time, we will:

• Review your symptoms, concerns, and what prompted you to seek care

• Discuss your medical, psychiatric, and family history

• Talk about your goals for treatment

• Answer your questions about diagnosis, treatment options, and next steps

• Develop an individualized treatment plan, which may include medication, referrals for therapy, lifestyle recommendations, or further evaluation

This appointment is a conversation — not a test. There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to get a clear picture of what you are experiencing so we can work together on a plan that makes sense for you.

For ADHD Evaluations

ADHD evaluations may involve additional questionnaires and rating scales. For children and adolescents, input from parents, teachers, or other caregivers may be requested to support a thorough evaluation. In some cases, a follow-up visit may be needed to complete the evaluation process.

After Your Appointment

• You will receive a summary of your treatment plan, including any diagnoses discussed and recommendations.

• If medication is recommended, we will review the expected benefits, potential side effects, and monitoring plan before starting anything new.

• Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks after starting or adjusting a medication, and at regular intervals thereafter.

• If therapy is recommended, we can provide referrals to therapists who may be a good fit.

How Appointments Work

All appointments are conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant video visits. You can attend your appointment from the comfort of your home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and internet connection. Advocate Psych provides telepsychiatry services to patients located in North Carolina, Wyoming, and Montana.

Questions?

If you have questions before your first appointment or want to learn more about whether Advocate Psych may be a good fit, please feel free to reach out. We are happy to help.

Yes. Advocate Psych offers pharmacogenetic testing through GeneSight when clinically appropriate and desired by the patient. This testing analyzes certain genes that may influence how your body metabolizes and responds to specific psychiatric medications.

The results categorize medications into green, yellow, and red groups based on potential gene-drug interactions. These results can provide valuable information when selecting medications, adjusting dosages, or understanding why certain medications may have caused side effects or been less effective in the past. While the test cannot guarantee which medication will work best, it can help guide treatment decisions and support a more personalized approach to care.

Pharmacogenetic testing may be particularly helpful for individuals who have tried multiple medications without success, experienced significant side effects or medication interactions, have a family history of medication sensitivities, or feel hesitant about starting psychiatric medication.

If testing is ordered, Advocate Psych submits the order directly to GeneSight. A collection kit is then shipped to your home, where you can complete the simple cheek-swab test and return it using the prepaid envelope provided. The testing fee is paid directly to GeneSight, not to Advocate Psych.

Many insurance plans cover all or a portion of the cost of testing. For patients who choose to self-pay, the current maximum out-of-pocket cost is generally around $330, although pricing and insurance coverage are determined by GeneSight and may change over time. Patients are encouraged to review current pricing information with GeneSight before proceeding.

GeneSight testing is not required and is only one piece of the overall clinical picture. Treatment recommendations are always based on your symptoms, medical history, treatment goals, prior medication experiences, and individual preferences.

Advocate Psych was founded on the belief that quality and patient safety should always come before productivity. Mental health care is deeply personal, and I believe patients deserve time to feel heard, understood, and involved in their treatment decisions. My goal is not to see as many patients as possible in a day. My goal is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care that helps patients make meaningful progress toward feeling better.

As a small private practice, I am able to provide individualized care without the pressure of rushing through appointments or taking a one-size-fits-all approach. When you choose Advocate Psych, you work directly with me throughout your treatment journey. I take the time to listen, answer questions, provide education, and develop treatment plans that reflect your unique needs and goals. Every patient deserves care that is collaborative, respectful, and personalized.

I also believe that communication and accessibility are important parts of quality mental health care. Established patients have access to me through the secure patient portal between appointments when questions or concerns arise. While some issues require a scheduled visit, I strive to be responsive and supportive when guidance is needed. My patients are never just another appointment on the schedule.

Above all, I want my patients to know they have an advocate. Whether you are seeking help for the first time or have struggled to find the right treatment in the past, my commitment is to provide compassionate, collaborative care in a supportive and judgment-free environment. Together, we will work toward meaningful and lasting improvements in your mental health and overall well-being.