What to Expect

Beginning psychiatric care is an important step toward improving your mental health, and our goal is to make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible. From your first appointment through ongoing care, we strive to provide a supportive, collaborative, and personalized experience.

Step 1: Schedule Your Appointment

Appointments can be requested securely through our online scheduling system at your convenience. If you don't see an appointment time that works for your schedule, please contact our office—we'll do our best to accommodate your needs whenever possible.

Step 2: Complete Your New Patient Paperwork

Prior to your appointment, you'll receive access to our secure patient portal where you can complete intake forms, provide insurance information, review office policies, and complete any required questionnaires.

Step 3: Attend Your Initial Psychiatric Evaluation

Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation lasting approximately 60–90 minutes. We'll discuss your current concerns, symptoms, medical and mental health history, previous treatments, medications, and personal goals. This visit is designed to help us gain a thorough understanding of your needs and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Step 4: Develop Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Following your evaluation, we'll work together to determine the treatment approach that's right for you. Recommendations may include medication management, integrated therapeutic interventions, lifestyle modifications, additional evaluation, referrals, or a combination of evidence-based treatment options.

Step 5: Ongoing Care & Follow-Up

Mental health care is an ongoing partnership. Follow-up appointments allow us to monitor your progress, adjust treatment as needed, address any concerns, and continue working toward your goals. We believe in collaborative care and encourage open communication throughout your treatment journey.

Before Your Visit

To help ensure your appointment runs smoothly, please complete the following before your scheduled visit:

• Complete all required intake forms through the secure patient portal.

• Upload a copy of your photo ID and insurance card (if using insurance).

• Have a current list of all your medications, including dosages and prescribing providers.

• Be prepared to discuss your medical history, mental health history, and any previous treatments.

• If available, have records from previous psychiatric providers, therapists, or hospitalizations forwarded to our office.

• If your appointment is by telehealth, please join from a quiet, private location within the state of Indiana using a reliable internet connection.

Appointments

How do I schedule an appointment?

Appointments can be scheduled online through our website, by contacting our office directly, or through the secure patient portal once you have established care.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes! We offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation for prospective patients who would like to learn more about our practice, ask questions, and determine whether Psychiatry By Design is the right fit for their needs. This consultation is informational only and does not establish a provider-patient relationship.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact our office as soon as possible. Appointments canceled with less than 24 business hours' notice may be subject to a $50 late cancellation fee.

We understand that unexpected emergencies happen. If you experience an unforeseen emergency on the day of your appointment, please contact our office to discuss the circumstances. Cancellation fees may be waived at the provider's discretion.

What happens if I'm late?

We understand that delays can happen. If you are running a few minutes late, please contact our office as soon as possible.

Patients are considered late if they arrive more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time for an initial evaluation or more than 10 minutes late for a follow-up appointment. Depending on the circumstances, your appointment may need to be shortened, rescheduled, or canceled at the provider's discretion to ensure fairness to all scheduled patients.

How long are appointments?

Appointment length varies depending on the service provided.

• Initial Psychiatric Evaluation: 60–90 minutes

• Follow-Up Appointments: 20–50 minutes

Services

What conditions do you treat?

Psychiatry By Design treats a wide variety of mental health and substance use disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.

At this time, we do not provide treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal, severe eating disorders requiring specialized care, or psychiatric emergencies. If your needs fall outside the scope of our practice, we will do our best to help connect you with an appropriate provider or level of care.

What ages do you see?

We primarily provide care for adults (18 years and older). If you are seeking services for a child or adolescent, please contact our office. Depending on the individual's age and clinical needs, we may be able to accommodate your request.

Do you offer telehealth?

Yes. Telehealth appointments are available for patients who are physically located within the state of Indiana at the time of their visit.

Do you provide therapy in addition to medication management?

Yes. Integrated therapy may be incorporated into medication management visits when clinically appropriate. If you are seeking therapy without medication management, please contact our office to discuss your individual needs and determine whether this service may be available.

Do you prescribe controlled medications?

Yes, controlled medications may be prescribed when clinically appropriate. Prescribing decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation, medical necessity, clinical judgment, and patient safety. Additional documentation, medical records, urine drug screening, or follow-up appointments may be required before or during treatment.

Insurance & Billing

Which insurance plans do you accept?

We are currently expanding our insurance participation. Accepted insurance plans will be listed on our Insurance & Fees page as contracts become active. If you do not see your insurance listed, please contact our office to discuss your options.

Do you accept self-pay patients?

Yes. Current self-pay rates are available on our Insurance & Fees page.

Can I use my out-of-network benefits?

Yes. If we are out-of-network with your insurance plan, you may choose to self-pay for your visit. Upon request, we will provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement are determined by your individual insurance plan.

Do you accept HSA/FSA cards?

Yes. We accept HSA and FSA cards for eligible medical expenses.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Payments are securely processed through Stripe. We accept all major credit and debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and ACH bank transfers.

Medications

How do I request a medication refill?

Medication refill requests should be submitted through the secure patient portal. Please allow 24–48 business hours for processing.

What if my medication requires prior authorization?

If prior authorization is required by your insurance company, our office will complete the necessary paperwork. Please allow approximately 3–5 business days for processing. If you have questions about the status of your prior authorization, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

How are controlled substances managed?

Controlled medications are prescribed on an individual basis when clinically appropriate. Patients prescribed controlled substances are required to have at least one in-person appointment annually, comply with applicable monitoring requirements, and sign a Controlled Substance Agreement prior to initiating treatment.

Will medication be prescribed at my first appointment?

If clinically appropriate, medication may be prescribed during your initial evaluation. In some cases, additional information, prior records, diagnostic clarification, or follow-up visits may be necessary before medications are prescribed.

Communication

How do I contact the office?

You may contact our office by phone or, once you have established care, through the secure patient portal.

How long does it take to receive a response?

We strive to respond to all messages as promptly as possible. Please allow 24–48 business hours for routine messages submitted through the patient portal or by phone. Messages received after business hours, on weekends, or during holidays will be addressed on the next business day.

What should I do if I have an emergency?

Psychiatry By Design is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts and need immediate support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Other Questions

Can I bring a family member or support person to my appointment?

Yes. You are welcome to bring a family member or support person to your appointment if you feel it would be helpful. With your permission, they may provide additional information about your symptoms, history, or concerns, which can assist with diagnostic clarification and treatment planning. There may also be times when part of the visit is conducted privately to ensure you have the opportunity to discuss any concerns one-on-one with your provider.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring the following to your first appointment:

• A valid photo ID (such as a driver's license)

• Your insurance card (if using insurance)

• A current list of your medications, including dosages

Prior to your appointment, please complete all required intake forms through the secure patient portal. Completing your paperwork in advance allows us to make the most of your appointment time and helps ensure a smooth check-in process.

How often will I need follow-up appointments?

The frequency of follow-up appointments is individualized and will be determined collaboratively between you and your provider. Factors such as your diagnosis, symptom stability, response to treatment, medication changes, and overall treatment goals will help determine how often you should be seen. As your symptoms improve and treatment becomes more stable, follow-up appointments may become less frequent.

Can you communicate with my therapist or primary care provider?

Absolutely. We believe that collaboration among healthcare providers is an important part of delivering comprehensive, coordinated care. With your written permission, we are happy to communicate with your therapist, primary care provider, or other members of your healthcare team. If you would like us to communicate with providers outside of Psychiatry By Design, you will be asked to complete a Release of Information (ROI) authorization.