Mental Health FAQs
Below are the questions we hear most often from new and returning patients. Answers are written in plain language, reviewed by our clinical team, and updated regularly. If your question is not here, contact us. In an emergency, call or text 988.
About Our Practice
Learn who we are, where we see patients, and how we deliver care across New York.
Who is Resilience Psychiatry?
Resilience Psychiatry is a New York based outpatient psychiatry practice offering medication management and integrated mental health care for adolescents and adults. Our clinicians are board-certified and treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, and related conditions. Learn more on our About the Practice page, or contact us to see if we are the right fit.
Where are your offices located?
We see patients in person in New York and also offer secure telehealth. Please confirm our current address and office details on the Contact Us page before visiting. If you are outside New York, reach out and we may be able to help or refer you to a trusted provider.
Do you offer telehealth in New York?
Yes. We offer HIPAA-compliant video visits to patients physically located in New York State at the time of the appointment. Telehealth is often a good fit for medication management, follow-ups, and many initial evaluations. Contact us to schedule.
Who are your providers?
Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists and collaborating therapists. You can view credentials and areas of focus on our Our Providers page. If you would like help matching with a specific clinician, contact us.
What is your clinical philosophy?
We practice collaborative psychiatry, combining accurate diagnosis, evidence-based medication choices, and coordination with your therapist or primary care physician when appropriate. We treat patients as partners in decisions about their care. Read more on our About the Practice page.
Booking and Your First Appointment
Everything you need to know to schedule, prepare for, and arrive at your first visit.
How do I schedule a first appointment?
You can request an appointment through the form on our Contact Us page or by calling the office during business hours. A member of our intake team will respond about availability, insurance, and appointment type. Please do not send protected health information by regular email.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Please bring a government-issued ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications and dosages, and any relevant prior records. Completing intake forms in the patient portal before your visit can save time. Contact us if you need portal help.
How long is the first appointment?
Initial psychiatric evaluations typically run about 60 minutes. Follow-up medication-management visits are usually shorter. This allows your clinician time to understand your history, current symptoms, goals, and any past treatment. See Resources for more guidance and what to expect.
Do you use a patient portal?
Yes. Our secure patient portal is used for intake forms, appointment confirmations, billing, and HIPAA-compliant messaging with your care team. Please use the portal, not email, for personal health information. If you need portal login help, contact our office directly.
Can I cancel or reschedule online?
Most appointments can be rescheduled through the patient portal or by calling the office. We ask for at least 48 hours' notice to avoid a late-cancellation fee. Contact us as early as possible if your plans change.
Insurance, Fees, and Good Faith Estimate
Transparent answers on coverage, self-pay rates, and your rights under the No Surprises Act.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept several commercial insurance plans and may also provide superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement when we are not in network with your carrier. Because coverage changes, please confirm your specific plan with our intake team. Contact us and we will verify your benefits before your first appointment.
What are your self-pay rates?
Self-pay fees vary by visit type and clinician. We provide a written Good Faith Estimate before the first visit so there are no surprises. Contact us to request current rates in writing.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under the federal No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients are entitled to a written estimate of expected charges before care. We provide this automatically at booking. You can learn more from CMS. Contact us if you have not received your estimate.
Will my insurance cover telehealth?
Most commercial plans in New York now cover psychiatric telehealth on par with in-person visits, but coverage rules vary. We verify telehealth benefits as part of intake. For policy background, see New York State OMH. Contact us and we will confirm your specific coverage.
Do you offer superbills for out-of-network reimbursement?
Yes. If we are not in network with your insurer, we can provide a monthly superbill you may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your plan's benefits. Contact us for guidance.
Medications and Prescriptions
How we prescribe, monitor, and help you manage psychiatric medications safely.
Do you prescribe controlled substances?
We may prescribe controlled substances such as stimulants or certain anxiolytics when clinically appropriate, following state and federal rules. These prescriptions require established care and regular follow-up. We do not prescribe controlled medications at a first telehealth visit without evaluation. Contact us to learn more about our ADHD and anxiety care.
How do I request a refill?
The fastest way to request a refill is through the patient portal at least five business days before you run out. We do not refill controlled substances early or outside scheduled follow-ups. For urgent lapses, call the office. See Resources for refill timing tips.
What if I have side effects?
Message your clinician through the patient portal to describe new or worsening side effects. Many can be managed with dose or timing adjustments. For severe reactions such as breathing issues, swelling, or chest pain, call 911. For medication safety details, see FDA Drug Safety.
Can I stop my medication on my own?
Please do not stop psychiatric medications abruptly. Many require a gradual taper to avoid withdrawal or symptom rebound. Always discuss changes with your prescriber first. Background reading is available from MedlinePlus. If you feel unwell, contact us right away.
Do you coordinate with my therapist or primary care doctor?
Yes. With your written consent, we communicate with your therapist, primary care provider, and other specialists to keep care aligned. Integrated care can improve outcomes for conditions such as depression and anxiety. Learn more on our About the Practice page.
Conditions We Treat
Short answers on the conditions we most commonly treat. Each links to a dedicated page with deeper information.
Do you treat anxiety and panic disorders?
Yes. We treat generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder using evidence-based medication and therapy coordination. Most patients see meaningful improvement with structured care. Learn more on our Anxiety page and Panic Disorder page. For background, see NIMH.
Do you treat depression and postpartum depression?
Yes. We treat major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and postpartum depression with medication management and therapist coordination. Learn more on our Depression page and Postpartum Depression page. Family support resources are available from NAMI.
Do you diagnose and treat ADHD?
Yes. We evaluate and treat ADHD in adolescents and adults using structured diagnostic interviews and, when appropriate, medication. First-line options may include stimulant and non-stimulant medications. See our ADHD care page. For general background, see CDC Mental Health.
Do you treat OCD and PTSD?
Yes. We treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder with medication management and referrals to evidence-based therapies such as ERP and trauma-focused CBT. Learn more on our OCD page and PTSD page. See the American Psychiatric Association for background.
Do you treat bipolar disorder and insomnia?
Yes. We manage bipolar I and II disorder as well as primary and secondary insomnia, often in coordination with therapy. Accurate diagnosis is important. Learn more on our Bipolar Disorder page and Insomnia page. NAMI family resources are available at nami.org.
Do you treat substance use disorders?
We treat substance use disorders when they co-occur with psychiatric conditions and coordinate with specialized addiction programs when a higher level of care is needed. See our Substance Use Disorder page. SAMHSA maintains a treatment locator at samhsa.gov.
Therapy vs. Medication Management
Many patients ask what psychiatrists do, what therapists do, and when you may benefit from both.
What is the difference between therapy and medication management?
Therapy helps you work on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors over time with a licensed therapist. Medication management is led by a psychiatrist or psychiatric NP who prescribes and adjusts medications. Many people benefit from both. Learn more on our Resources page.
Do I need therapy, medication, or both?
It depends on your diagnosis, symptom severity, preferences, and response to past treatment. For some people, therapy alone may be enough. For others, combined care may be more effective. Your clinician will discuss the options with you. Contact us to schedule an evaluation.
Do you provide therapy at Resilience Psychiatry?
Our clinicians primarily provide medication management and brief supportive interventions. We also work closely with therapists and can refer you to a strong fit based on your needs and insurance. Learn more on our About the Practice page.
Can I start with just medication?
Yes. Many patients begin with medication management alone, especially when symptoms are significantly affecting daily functioning. Your clinician may still recommend therapy depending on your goals and progress. Read more on our Resources page for what medication-only care may look like.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Specialized guidance for parents and teens who are starting psychiatric care.
What ages do you see?
Our child and adolescent clinicians typically see patients ages 6 through 17, though availability varies by provider. Young adults 18 and older are generally seen by our adult team. For age ranges by clinician, visit our Our Providers page.
Do I need to be present at my teen's appointment?
For minors, we require a parent or guardian to participate in the initial evaluation. For follow-ups, teen-only portions may be appropriate depending on age and consent rules. We follow New York law and clinical best practices. Contact us for details on adolescent confidentiality.
Do you treat pediatric ADHD?
Yes. We evaluate and treat ADHD in school-age children and teens using age-appropriate assessment and, when indicated, medication. Parent, teacher, and school collaboration are often part of the plan. For general background, see CDC Mental Health. Contact us to schedule.
Do you treat child and teen anxiety?
Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common concerns we see in adolescents. We treat generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and school refusal with therapy referrals and, when appropriate, medication. Read more on our Child and Teen Anxiety page. Youth resources are available from NIMH.
Will my child need medication?
Not always. Many adolescents do well with therapy and lifestyle supports alone. When medication is considered, we discuss benefits, risks, and alternatives openly with parents and teens. Decisions are collaborative. Learn more on our Resources page.
Crisis, Emergency, and When to Get Help
Resilience Psychiatry is not an emergency service. Please use these resources if you or someone you love is in crisis.
What do I do in a mental health emergency?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicidal thoughts or emotional crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24/7, free, and confidential. Our office is not staffed for emergencies.
Is Resilience Psychiatry available 24/7?
No. Our office operates during scheduled business hours and is not staffed for emergencies. Messages left after hours are returned the next business day. In a crisis, call 988 or 911. For non-urgent questions, use the patient portal or the Contact Us page.
How do I know if I need urgent care?
Seek urgent help if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, intent to harm others, psychosis, severe mania, or you cannot care for basic needs. NAMI offers mental health guidance at nami.org. If you are unsure, call 988 first.
Where can I find free crisis resources in New York?
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24/7. New York State OMH lists crisis lines and mobile crisis teams. SAMHSA also provides free national referral resources.
What if my loved one refuses help?
Start with empathy, not pressure. Listen, express concern, and share specific resources. NAMI offers guidance for families. If there is imminent danger, call 988 or 911. For non-urgent concerns, contact us and we can help you think through next steps.
Helpful National Resources
For additional education and support, these are some of the most reliable mental health resources we recommend.
Have a Question That Is Not Here?
We are happy to help with scheduling questions, insurance questions, and general information about care. For anything involving private health information, please use the patient portal or speak with the office directly.