Question 1

Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?

Accepted Answer

No referral is required to see a psychiatrist at Empathy Health Clinic. You can contact us directly to schedule a new patient evaluation. Some insurance plans may require a referral for coverage—check your plan details or call us and we'll help verify your benefits before your visit.

Question 2

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Accepted Answer

We typically offer same-week appointments for new patients. When you contact us, our team will work to find the earliest available time that fits your schedule. We offer both in-person appointments at our Winter Park office and telehealth visits throughout Florida.

Question 3

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

Accepted Answer

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who completed medical school and a psychiatric residency. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide therapy. A therapist (psychologist, licensed counselor, or licensed clinical social worker) provides talk therapy and counseling but cannot prescribe medication. At Empathy Health Clinic, we have both psychiatrists and licensed therapists on our team, allowing us to coordinate comprehensive care that may include both medication management and therapy.

Question 4

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please bring: your photo ID and insurance card; a list of your current medications with dosages (including supplements and over-the-counter drugs); a brief summary of your main concerns; any previous medical or mental health records if available; and a list of questions for your provider. Completing your intake forms online before the visit will save time and allow your provider to prepare.

Question 5

Can I see a psychiatrist online (telehealth)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy throughout Florida. Telehealth is available for most services and is covered by most major insurance plans. Visit our telehealth page or call us to book a virtual appointment.

Question 6

What happens at a psychiatric evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Your first psychiatric evaluation typically lasts 45–60 minutes. Your psychiatrist will have a detailed conversation about your current symptoms, medical history, family psychiatric history, and treatment goals. They may use standardized screening tools alongside the clinical interview. At the end, they'll share their clinical impressions, discuss a diagnosis if applicable, and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, or both.

Question 7

How long does a psychiatric evaluation take?

Accepted Answer

Initial evaluations at Empathy Health Clinic are typically 45–60 minutes. This gives your provider enough time to conduct a thorough assessment without feeling rushed. Follow-up appointments for medication management are shorter—usually 15–30 minutes.

Question 8

How often do I need to see my psychiatrist?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your treatment plan. When starting a new medication, follow-up visits are typically scheduled every 2–4 weeks to monitor your response and adjust the dose if needed. Once your symptoms are stable, visits may be spaced to every 1–3 months. Your psychiatrist will recommend an appropriate schedule based on your specific situation.

Question 9

Can I get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many adults are diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in their 20s, 30s, 40s, or later. Our psychiatrists conduct comprehensive clinical evaluations for adult ADHD—including a detailed symptom history and review of how symptoms affect your work, relationships, and daily functioning. We do not perform multi-hour neuropsychological testing batteries, but our clinical evaluations (45–90 minutes) are the standard approach for diagnosing ADHD and developing a treatment plan.

Question 10

Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are fully licensed to prescribe medications for mental health conditions, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety medications, ADHD medications, and antipsychotics. At Empathy Health Clinic, our board-certified psychiatrists take a careful, evidence-based approach to prescribing—always discussing options, expected benefits, and possible side effects with you before starting any medication.

Question 11

How long does it take for antidepressants to work?

Accepted Answer

Most antidepressants take 2–6 weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect. You may notice some improvement in sleep, energy, or appetite within the first 1–2 weeks, while mood improvement often takes longer. It's important not to stop the medication prematurely. If you haven't seen improvement after 4–6 weeks at a therapeutic dose, your psychiatrist may adjust the dose or try a different medication.

Question 12

What is medication management?

Accepted Answer

Medication management is the ongoing monitoring and adjustment of psychiatric medications by a qualified provider. It includes regular check-ins to evaluate how well the medication is working, identify and manage side effects, make dose adjustments, and coordinate any medication changes. At Empathy Health Clinic, medication management visits are typically 15–30 minutes and are scheduled at intervals appropriate to your treatment phase.

Question 13

Will I be forced to take medication?

Accepted Answer

Never. Medication is always a decision made collaboratively between you and your provider. Your psychiatrist will explain the evidence for and against various treatment options—including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination—and respect your preferences. Many conditions respond well to therapy alone, medication alone, or a combination.

Question 14

Does insurance cover psychiatry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, most insurance plans must cover mental health services at the same level as physical health services. Medicare, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Humana, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare, and many others cover psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy. We verify your benefits before your first visit so you know your expected costs.

Question 15

Does Medicare cover psychiatric services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychiatric evaluations, medication management visits, and therapy. After meeting your Part B deductible, Medicare typically covers 80% of the approved amount. Medicare also covers telehealth psychiatric visits with no geographic restrictions for mental health services. We accept Medicare at Empathy Health Clinic.

Question 16

How much does a psychiatrist visit cost?

Accepted Answer

Your cost depends on your insurance plan. With insurance, a typical copay for a psychiatry visit ranges from $20–$60. Without insurance, psychiatric evaluation visits are typically $200–$350 and follow-up medication management visits are $100–$200. We encourage you to call us so our team can verify your specific insurance benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before your first visit.

Question 17

Can I see a psychiatrist without insurance (self-pay)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer self-pay rates for patients without insurance or who prefer to pay out of pocket. Call us at (386) 848-8751 for current self-pay pricing. We're committed to making mental health care as accessible as possible.

Question 18

Do you accept Medicaid or Sunshine Health?

Accepted Answer

We do not currently accept Medicaid or Sunshine Health. We accept most major commercial insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare, and others. Visit our insurance page for the full list, or call us to verify your specific plan.

Question 19

What mental health conditions do you treat?

Accepted Answer

We treat a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD), ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD and trauma-related conditions, insomnia, and more. Our therapists also provide therapy for relationship issues, grief, life transitions, and stress management.

Question 20

Do you treat OCD?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer evidence-based treatment for OCD including medication management and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, which is the gold-standard behavioral treatment for OCD. Our providers are trained in OCD-specific treatment protocols.

Question 21

Do you offer couples therapy or family therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our licensed therapists provide couples counseling and family therapy. We can also coordinate with your individual psychiatrist or therapist for comprehensive family mental health care.

Question 22

Is what I tell my psychiatrist confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your psychiatric care is strictly confidential under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Your provider will not share your information with employers, family members, or anyone else without your written consent—with very limited exceptions required by law, such as if you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, or in cases of child abuse reporting requirements.

Question 23

Will seeing a psychiatrist affect my job or security clearance?

Accepted Answer

In general, your medical and psychiatric records are private and protected by HIPAA. Employers do not have access to your mental health records. For federal security clearances, the rules have evolved significantly—most mental health treatment is now viewed favorably by adjudicators as evidence of responsible self-care. We recommend consulting a security clearance attorney for specific guidance in your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Appointments & Evaluations

Medications & Treatment

Insurance & Cost

Conditions & Specialties

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