Why telemedicine?

I was originally skeptical when telemedicine became more prevalent during COVID. I thought patients would not respond well to a provider on screen, rather than in person. I worried that telemedicine would feel too impersonal, detached. Contrary to my initial beliefs, I found patients seemed to feel more open due to the perceived distance, more comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Children with anxiety also seemed to respond better to it, less alarmed or scared. I have found that it hasn’t been all positives. For some patients, such as children with uncontrolled ADHD or those with autism spectrum disorder, it may be more difficult for them to attend well to the appointment. Telemedicine, like in person visits, are not a perfect fit for everyone- but I do firmly believe most patients will receive the same level of care as in person visits with some perks enjoyed such as less commute time, being in their own environment, and reduced “white coat” anxiety.

Will in person visits be available?

Not at this time.

Where can patients be located or where can visits occur?

Due to laws regulating the practice of medicine, you MUST be within Texas or Louisiana. If you are outside Texas/Louisiana at the time of the visit, it will have to be rescheduled- this is NOT NEGOTIABLE. Aside from this requirement, you can be anywhere you decide. I would strongly recommend that it be in a quiet, peaceful environment with adequate privacy to discuss private matters. Since the visits are via telemedicine, it is also strongly recommended that you remain in a location with a stable, quality internet connection. You CAN NOT be driving during the visit- this has occurred before- the interview will be terminated and you will be charged for the appointment. You will be asked your location at the start of the visit for record keeping and safety purposes.

Will other states be added in the future?

I am familiar with Texas/Louisiana and desire to serve these communities. It may be a possibility in the future, but currently I do not foresee it.

Do you accept insurance?

I do not accept insurance. If requested, a superbill for the visit can be provided, which then can be sent to the insurance provider for their determination of reimbursement. These services will generally be considered by your insurance provider as “Out of network”.

How about sliding scale?

I do not offer sliding scale costs at this time.

The costs per visit appear high, are they negotiable?

They are not negotiable. I have spent time researching comparative costs with psychiatric practices across the state and they are within the average range, if not lower than many cash pay practices. There are providers who may cost less and provide quality care in your area.

Why are after hour, weekend and holiday hours a different rate?

After hours, weekend and holiday rates are a higher cost due to the nature of what they are. There are not many practices offering these times and the cost reflects the convenience and demand. To be honest, these hours, for me are similar to how they are for you- prime time after a normal work day to wind down, to spend by yourself and your family. There will be times in the evening, weekend or holidays I will be unavailable due to- like you, taking the time for myself or friends/family. With all this in mind, I do request that appointments be made further in advance than the typical 8-5PM, cancellations in advance are especially appreciated as well.

What about if you cancel, will there be some benefit?

If I cancel an appointment due to illness, emergency or other circumstance I will always try to alert you as soon as I am able. If I cancel the same day as your appointment, your next appointment will only be half rate. If I cancel the day before your appointment or even further out, the rescheduled appointment will charged at standard rate.

Should the unforeseen occur where I have a significant health emergency and have a prolonged outage- every attempt will be made to alert you and further directions will be provided to the best of my ability. The same is expected of you- should you be hospitalized, you will not be charged for your missed appointment. We’re all human and within reason there will be deviations from the cancellation policy but due to my prior clinical experiences, strictness and incentives reduce frequent no-shows.

What if I miss an appointment?

Life happens- if you are going to miss an appointment, let me know in advance. Please see the rates page for penalties regarding cost. If you miss three appointments in a calendar year- discontinuation of care and referral will be considered.

What if I have an emergency?

If you or a loved one are experiencing an emergency or crisis, it is inappropriate to call or send a message through the website/patient portal. Safety is your priority and you should call 911 or go to the local emergency department. At the bottom of this website there is also the telephone numbers for the Crisis/suicide hotline and the text line.

What if I have a question or concern after hours, but it is not an emergency?

If it is not an emergency, you can call and leave your question/concern with the answering service. Be sure to include your name, what is occurring and a call back telephone number. Leaving a message within the patient portal is also acceptable and will likely be noted quicker during work hours. A response will be given in 1-2 business days. To reiterate, responses will not occur after clinic hours; I WILL NOT be available outside of clinic hours. If you experience an emergency, call 911 or go to your local emergency department.