FAQs
Have a question that isn’t covered here? Feel free to reach out using our contact form.
Provider & Approach
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Both psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are qualified to diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe psychiatric medications, and provide ongoing treatment. As a board-certified PMHNP with over 15 years of nursing experience in mental health, my approach combines evidence-based psychiatric care with a whole-person perspective. I take the time to understand not only your symptoms, but also the many factors that influence your emotional well-being so we can develop a treatment plan that feels thoughtful, personalized, and aligned with your goals.
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Absolutely. In fact, many of my patients work with both a therapist and a psychiatric provider. Therapy and medication management often complement one another. With your permission, I'm happy to collaborate with your therapist to help ensure your care feels coordinated and aligned.
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I provide psychiatric care for older adolescents beginning at age 16 through adults age 64. While I have a special interest in women's mental health, I welcome adults seeking care for concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, ADHD, burnout, sleep concerns, and life transitions.
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I believe meaningful psychiatric care begins with listening. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or prescribing medication after a brief conversation, I take the time to understand the whole picture. That includes your experiences, relationships, lifestyle, physical health, stressors, and personal goals. Every treatment plan is individualized because no two people experience mental health the same way.
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Personalized psychiatric care means your treatment is tailored specifically to you. Rather than using the same approach for every patient, I take an integrative, evidence-based approach that considers the many factors influencing your emotional well-being, including your medical history, lifestyle, relationships, stressors, and treatment goals. Your care may include medication, supportive psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications, laboratory testing, evidence-based supplements, referrals, or a combination of approaches based on your individual needs.
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My goal is for every patient to feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their care. I believe the best treatment begins with listening, taking time to understand your story, and building a collaborative relationship. I want you to leave each appointment with greater clarity, a personalized plan, and confidence in the next steps of your care.
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Medication can be a valuable part of treatment, but it's never the only consideration. My goal is to prescribe thoughtfully and only when it's clinically appropriate. Together, we'll discuss the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives so you can make an informed decision that feels right for you.
Your Care
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Both psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are qualified to diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe psychiatric medications, and provide ongoing treatment. As a board-certified PMHNP with over 15 years of nursing experience in mental health, my approach combines evidence-based psychiatric care with a whole-person perspective. I take the time to understand not only your symptoms, but also the many factors that influence your emotional well-being so we can develop a treatment plan that feels thoughtful, personalized, and aligned with your goals.
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Absolutely. In fact, many of my patients work with both a therapist and a psychiatric provider. Therapy and medication management often complement one another. With your permission, I'm happy to collaborate with your therapist to help ensure your care feels coordinated and aligned.
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I provide psychiatric care for older adolescents beginning at age 16 through adults age 64. While I have a special interest in women’s mental health, I welcome patients seeking care for concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma related symptoms, burnout, sleep concerns, and life transitions
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I believe meaningful psychiatric care begins with listening. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or prescribing medication after a brief conversation, I take the time to understand the whole picture, including your experiences, relationships, lifestyle, physical health, stressors, and personal goals. Every treatment plan is individualized because no two people experience mental health in the same way.
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Holistic psychiatric care means looking at the whole person, not just a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. I take an individualized, evidence-based approach that considers the different factors that may influence your mental health, including your medical history, lifestyle, relationships, stressors, daily habits, and treatment goals.
Depending on your individual needs, your care may include medication, behavioral strategies, lifestyle changes, laboratory testing when appropriate, referrals, and collaboration with other members of your healthcare team. The goal is to create a thoughtful treatment plan that supports your mental health and overall well-being.
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My goal is for every patient to feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their care. I take time to understand your story and build a collaborative relationship where you feel comfortable asking questions and participating in decisions about your care. I want you to leave each appointment with greater clarity, a personalized plan, and confidence in the next steps of your care.
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Medication can be a valuable part of treatment, but I see it as one tool, not the entire treatment plan. When medication is appropriate, my goal is to use it thoughtfully to help reduce symptoms and create more space for you to function, cope, and move forward.
I also place a strong emphasis on what happens outside of our appointments. We may look at your routines, sleep, stress, habits, mindset, and other factors that influence how you feel and function each day. I’ll encourage you to take practical steps, build healthier habits, reframe unhelpful ways of thinking, and develop tools that support your overall well-being.
Progress looks different for everyone, but I believe meaningful change is possible. My goal is to support you, challenge you when needed, and help you build a toolkit that extends beyond medication and supports you in navigating life with greater confidence.
Investment
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Yes. I accept select insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Anthem Blue Cross California, Carelon Behavioral Health, and Providence Health Plan, as well as select virtual network plans through Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Coverage varies by individual plan. Your insurance benefits and eligibility will be verified before your first appointment.
If you’re unsure whether your plan is accepted, I’m happy to discuss coverage during your complimentary Connection Call.
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Yes. If you're uninsured or choosing to pay out of pocket, you have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act. A Good Faith Estimate outlines the expected cost of your care before services are provided.
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Your first appointment is a comprehensive 90-minute psychiatric assessment designed to understand the whole picture, not just your symptoms. This includes a thorough psychiatric evaluation, diagnostic assessment, personalized treatment recommendations, and time to discuss your questions and goals. When clinically appropriate, recommendations may also include medication, laboratory testing, evidence-based supplements, therapy referrals, or coordination with other members of your healthcare team.
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Choosing a psychiatric provider is an important decision. The complimentary 15-minute Connection Call gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what you're looking for, answer any initial questions, and determine whether we're a good fit before scheduling your personalized psychiatric assessment.
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In many cases, yes. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can often be used to pay for psychiatric services. Because every plan is different, I recommend confirming your benefits with your HSA or FSA administrator.
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Yes. If you're receiving care as a self-pay patient and would like to seek reimbursement through your out-of-network insurance benefits, I'm happy to provide a superbill upon request. Please note that reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan, and payment cannot be guaranteed.
Appointments & Communication
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Follow-up appointments are personalized based on your symptoms, treatment goals, and whether you're starting or adjusting medication. Some patients are seen more frequently at the beginning of treatment, while others transition to less frequent visits as symptoms improve. Together, we'll determine a schedule that best supports your ongoing care.
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Yes. All appointments are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, allowing you to receive care from the comfort and privacy of your own space anywhere in California.
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Follow-up appointments are an important part of your ongoing care. Together, we'll monitor your progress, evaluate your response to treatment, and make thoughtful adjustments to your care plan as needed. We'll also review your treatment goals, discuss any changes in your symptoms or overall functioning, and ensure your treatment continues to align with your evolving needs. Depending on your individual treatment plan, appointments may include medication management, supportive psychotherapy, lifestyle recommendations, and ongoing education.
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Established patients have access to secure messaging through the patient portal for non urgent questions and other clinical needs that arise between appointments. While many questions can be addressed through the portal, more complex concerns or medication changes may require a follow up appointment to ensure you receive the time and attention needed to provide safe, thoughtful care.
Women’s Mental Health
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No. While women's mental health is a special focus of my practice, I welcome patients of all genders. I work with each patient as an individual, providing thoughtful, personalized psychiatric care based on their unique needs, experiences, and treatment goals.
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Yes. Hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause can influence mood, anxiety, sleep, energy, and overall emotional well-being. As part of your psychiatric assessment, we’ll consider whether these changes may be contributing to your symptoms. If there are concerns that warrant further medical or hormonal evaluation, I may recommend follow-up with your primary care provider, OB-GYN, or another appropriate specialist.
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Yes. Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring significant emotional and physical changes. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, mood changes, intrusive thoughts, or simply don't feel like yourself, my goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care while considering both your mental health and the well-being of your growing family.
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Many women have this question, and the answer isn't always the same for everyone. Many psychiatric medications have been studied during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and some may be considered appropriate when the benefits outweigh the potential risks. During your appointment, we'll carefully discuss the available treatment options, along with the potential benefits and risks, so you can make an informed decision that's right for you and your baby.
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You don't need to have all the answers before seeking care. Many patients come to me knowing something doesn't feel right but aren't sure why. My role is to help you better understand what's contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized plan to help you feel like yourself again.
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Mental health symptoms can be influenced by many factors, including stress, life experiences, sleep, nutrition, hormones, medical conditions, and emotional well-being. My goal is to look at the whole picture rather than focusing on one factor alone. If additional evaluation is appropriate, we can discuss laboratory testing or collaboration with your primary care provider as part of your care.
Policies
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Controlled medications, including stimulant medications for ADHD and benzodiazepines for anxiety, may be prescribed when clinically appropriate following a comprehensive evaluation. Recommendations are based on your symptoms, medical history, prior treatment, available records when appropriate, and current clinical guidelines.
Not every condition requires a controlled medication, and these medications are not appropriate for every patient. If a controlled medication is being considered, we'll discuss the potential benefits, risks, and available treatment options together before making a decision.
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Requests for disability paperwork, Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters, or other documentation are considered on a case-by-case basis. Recommendations are based on your clinical history, diagnosis, ongoing treatment, and the purpose of the request. Depending on the type and complexity of the documentation, an appointment and/or administrative fee may be required.
Crisis & Emergencies
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Trinity Holistic Psychiatry is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or believe you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
You may also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are an established patient and your concern is urgent but not life-threatening, please send a secure message through the patient portal. Portal messages are not monitored continuously and should never be used for emergencies.
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Choosing a psychiatric provider is an important decision, and it's natural to have questions. If you don't see your question answered here, I'd be happy to discuss it during a complimentary 15-minute Connection Call.