WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN INITIAL EVALUATION

The initial evaluation usually lasts approximately 90 minutes, depending on your specific presentation. Before the end of the first visit, Dr. Arey will determine whether or not you will benefit from further evaluation or begin treatment. In some cases, two to three visits may be necesssary to complete the initial evaluation (e.g. for someone with an extensive psychiatric history or complicated presentation) since extra time may be needed to gather information from you, speak to your family or loved ones, review past medical records or order any necessary lab work.

The initial visit is a consultation and an opportunity to decide whether or not Dr. Arey is the right clinician for you. Medications are generally not prescribed until the evaluation has been completed, so please make sure that you have enough medication from your previous treating physician. If it turns out that you may benefit from treatment elsewhere, you will be referred to an appropriate treatment center.

During the evaluation, you will be asked questions about your current symptoms, your past psychiatrist history, your medical history and other relevant information. These questions may be personal and uncomfortable to talk about or cause discomfort in some people. You are encouraged to be as open as possible so that the most accurate information can be used to help formulate your case.

If you have past medical or psychiatric records that may be helpful, copies of laboratory results or other test results, please bring them to the first visit. Please also have available contact information of your previous psychiatrists or other physicians taking care of you so that Dr. Arey can obtain collateral information if needed.

Once you call to schedule an initial appointment with Dr. Arey, she will e-mail you an appointment confirmation along with a link to the Forms For New Clients. Please click on the Forms For New Clients section to download the forms that are necessary to complete prior to your first visit. Dr. Arey recommends that you download, print out, and complete the necessary paperwork ahead of time so that you and Dr. Arey can concentrate on your current concerns and your treatment plan in your initial visit, rather than on filling out paperwork. If you choose not to fill out the forms ahead of time, you should arrive 15-20 minutes before your initial appointment to fill out paperwork.

When you arrive, please sit in the waiting room and either check in with the receptionist or wait for Dr. Arey to come get you.

MEDICATION POLICY

Medications can be prescribed after the initial evaluation has been completed. Established patients are always given enough medication and refills until the next office visit, so refills are not necessary over the phone. Please do not have your pharmacy call for a refill. This is to limit medication errors and to protect your safety. If you have missed or cancelled an appointment, you will be provided with enough medication until the re-scheduled visit, within 1-2 weeks of the missed appointment.

FEES

$450 for 90 minute initial consultation, regardless of whether it is for medications, therapy or both

$300 for 50 minute therapy session, with or without medications

$150 for 25 minute medication-only, follow-up visit

INSURANCE

Dr. Arey does not participate in any insurance panels. Patients pay out-of-pocket and obtain reimbursement from their insurance companies. Please check with your carrier for out-of-network mental health service benefits or pre-approval requirements. You will be provided a bill for your submission. Elimination of insurance paperwork has allowed Dr. Arey to provide high-quality services that are tailored to your personal needs, not insurance company demands.

CANCELLATION AND NO-SHOW POLICIES

Payments are due at the time of the visit (by cash, check or credit card). A block of time is reserved for your appointment, so if you need to cancel, please give at least 48 business hours of advance notice. Business hours are considered weekdays between Monday 8 am and Friday 5 pm. For example, if you have an appointment on Monday 4pm (1/8/07), please cancel by 4pm, Thursday the week before (1/4/07). Should you cancel within less than 48 business hours of the designated time, or fail to appear for an appointment, you will be charged the full fee for the visit. Your insurance company will likely not reimburse you for missed sessions. Consistent follow-up appointments are important for safe medical care.

EXPECTED LENGTH AND FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT

Length of treatment is individualized and determined collaboratively between you and Dr. Arey. For medication treatment, the recommended length of treatment for most disorders is generally one year or greater, depending on your specific case. For therapy, length of treatment can vary between 12-20 weeks to several years. Cases that are complicated by co-morbid presentations (more than one disorder) or history of non-response to treatment may take longer.

The frequency of visits depends on the specific case. Some patients will be appropriate for weekly psychotherapy sessions to continue the process of addressing current or past issues or pursuing goals of increased self awarness, pattern change, or interpersonal growth. For patients who are seeing Dr. Arey for medications alone, bi-weekly or monthly visits may be appropriate. Patients may be seen more often during initial treatment or medication adjustment. Patients on a stable medication regimen may be seen every one to two months. Continuous monitoring is important to ensure that you remain well.