
What to Expect During Your First Appointment:
At your first appointment, you'll undergo a comprehensive assessment of your mental health, and we'll work together to create a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs.
Mental Health Assessment: You’ll be asked questions about your symptoms, including when they began, their duration, your family’s mental health history, and any prior behavioral health treatments you've received.
Medical History: You’ll answer questions regarding your overall health, such as:
What is your current general health status?
Do you have any allergies?
Have you had any past illnesses, surgeries, or accidents?
What medications are you currently taking, and what doses are you on?
Social History: We may also discuss your personal history and lifestyle, including questions like:
Are you married?
What is your living situation like?
Do you have a strong support system?
What’s the highest level of education you’ve completed?
What is your occupation?
Have you ever served in the military?
Are you currently facing or have you ever faced legal issues?
Have you ever been arrested?
Do you use drugs or alcohol?
Do you smoke?
What is the biggest source of stress in your life or have you experienced any significant trauma?
Family History: We’ll explore your family background, including how you were raised and your family’s mental health history.
Mental Evaluation: You’ll be asked questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and your symptoms will likely be explored in greater detail.
Cognitive Evaluation: This portion assesses your ability to think clearly, recall information, and apply reasoning. You may be asked to:
Focus your attention
Remember short lists
Recognize common objects or shapes
Solve simple math problems
At the end of the evaluation, you will receive a primary diagnosis, and we’ll discuss a treatment plan. This plan will be customized to fit your health needs, personal preferences, age, and family situation. If necessary, you may be referred to a specialist, and further tests may be recommended to help clarify your condition.