Making an Appointment
When you first call, our friendly and helpful office staff will answer all of your questions, gather information, set you up a timely appointment and even contact your insurance company to inform you of your expected copay. Our new patient coordinator will contact you 1 – 2 days prior to your first appointment to provide last minute instructions for your visit.
Parking
When you arrive, free parking is available in the front or rear of our office. The front large reception area is generally better for families and the smaller more private rear reception area is generally better for adults.
Initial Appointment
You may expect to spend three to four hours in our office at your first appointment in order to complete an extensive and thorough initial evaluation.
You will initially complete a questionnaire regarding your concerns and extensive diagnostic testing will be performed, both by computer and paper surveys. Then a skilled, psychiatric nurse will record your vital signs. Next, you will meet the nurse to begin the comprehensive psychiatric history and exam. Afterwards, the nurse will go over your information and discuss current and past history collected with the physician. Finally, you will meet with and personally discuss your concerns with Dr. Walker or Dr. Robertson, at which time they will make a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan. Recommendations may include medication, counseling and further diagnostic studies such as blood tests or brain imaging.
What to bring to your initial appointment?
It is very important that you bring any past medical records you may have, most importantly psychiatric records. Please bring a list of current medications and the dosages that you are taking prescribed or over the counter. If you have been treated for a psychiatric illness before or had a psychiatric hospitalization please have notes or records of tried and failed treatments, medication side effects/sensitivities, and time periods of these treatments/hospitalizations.
Subsequent Appointments
Generally, your second and subsequent appointments with your physician will be approximately twenty minutes and are usually scheduled every few weeks to a few months, depending on your needs.
Suboxone (buprenorphine), or other buprenorphine containing products, for the treatment of Opiate Use Disorder
For patients participating in our buprenorphine program, the first appointment assesses the eligibility for enrollment and induction. The second appointment includes a psychiatric evaluation, psychiatric testing, diagnostics, and evaluation of the response to the buprenorphine. At the third appointment, further evaluation of progress with medication, assessment and treatment planning is finalized. The first three lengthier appointments are scheduled weekly and subsequent follow-up appointments are generally scheduled monthly/four week intervals.