Your Questions, Answered

  • Maintaining a credit card on file helps ensure timely billing and reduces administrative delays. Cards on file may be used for copays, outstanding balances, missed appointment fees, or insurance-determined patient responsibility, as outlined in our policies.

  • We ask that patients provide at least 24 hours’ notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment. Late cancellations or missed appointments are subject to a fee, as insurance does not cover missed visits, and advance notice helps us offer appointments to others in need of care.

  • Consistent attendance supports effective treatment. Repeated late cancellations or no-shows may lead us to revisit treatment needs and readiness to continue care, and in some cases may result in discharge from the practice.

  • We complete disability and FMLA documentation for established patients who meet eligibility criteria related to length of care, recent visits, and treatment compliance. Forms require processing time, may involve fees, and are completed at the provider’s discretion.

  • Yes — we diagnose ADHD in both children and adults. There are times when a neuropsychological evaluation is recommended to assist in the assessment, as other conditions may have overlapping symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and ongoing treatment approach help ensure an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate care plan.

  • Controlled medications are prescribed carefully and monitored closely to support safety and effectiveness. These medications require adherence to dosing instructions, regular appointments, and compliance with monitoring requirements, including prescription monitoring and, when needed, drug screening.

  • For secure communication, patients are encouraged to use the patient portal or text via the Spruce app. These tools allow us to protect your privacy while supporting care coordination. Electronic messages are not a substitute for appointments and are not monitored for emergencies.

  • We know it can be frustrating when a call isn’t answered immediately, and we wish we could take every call in real time. With limited staff, our focus is on providing safe, thoughtful care, which sometimes means you’ll reach voicemail or need to message us instead.

    If you’re a current patient, we encourage you to use the secure Spruce app or the patient portal for non-urgent communication; these tools allow you to send messages directly to your care team. Non-urgent calls and messages may take up to two business days to be returned, and if you’re not yet a patient, you’re always welcome to send a text message to the office.

  • We provide outpatient psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults, including comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management. When appropriate, brief supportive therapy may be incorporated as part of treatment, with care tailored to each individual’s needs and goals.

  • Our practice focuses on non-emergency, outpatient care. We’re not able to provide crisis services, and if you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency or immediate safety concern, we encourage you to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for support.

  • You can request an appointment through the New Patient form link our website. Once scheduled, we’ll guide you through next steps, including completing intake forms and understanding what to expect before your first visit. Feel free to reach out to the office directly if you have any problems completing your form!

  • We accept both self-pay and a number of commercial insurance plans, including Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna, Highmark, United Healthcare/Optum, UPMC Health Plan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Coverage details such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance vary by plan and individual policy, so we encourage patients to review their benefits and reach out with questions before scheduling.

  • At this time, we are not in network with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid/Medical Assistance, or related plans. We’re also unable to see patients who carry these plans as secondary or supplemental coverage due to federal requirements.

  • Copays are collected on the day of your appointment using the credit card on file. After your insurance processes a claim, you may receive an invoice for any remaining deductible or coinsurance, based on your individual policy.

  • We strive to ensure you have enough medication to last until your next scheduled visit by sending prescriptions during appointments. If you run low between visits, please submit a refill request through the Spruce app (preferred), the patient portal, or by texting the office.

    If you do not have a follow-up appointment scheduled or if you missed your last visit, we’ll ask you to schedule a visit before a refill can be provided, as refills are at the provider’s discretion. We aim to process refill requests during regular business hours within 48 business hours, but they are not considered urgent and cannot be processed outside of business hours.

  • Our standard business hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. These are the times during which phone calls and messages are reviewed and addressed. While some appointments may be scheduled outside of these hours, communication is handled during business hours only, and there may be delays due to holidays, provider vacations, or unforeseen circumstances.

    If you have an urgent concern that cannot wait until the next business day, please call the office to be connected with the on-call provider.