A new-patient evaluation at Stedfast Psychiatry takes about one hour. You complete brief screening scales, your provider takes a full history, and together you agree on a plan that may include medication, therapy, Deep TMS or Spravato. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, medication list and any prior records.
What to expect at the first visit
Plan on roughly an hour. The visit has three parts.
1. Screening scales
Before or at the start of the visit you complete a few short questionnaires: the PHQ-9 for depression, the GAD-7 for anxiety, the ASRS for adult ADHD symptoms, the MDQ for bipolar spectrum symptoms and the PCL-5 for trauma-related symptoms. Not every scale applies to every person; your provider chooses based on what brought you in. Each takes two to five minutes. The scores set a baseline we measure against at later visits.
2. History
Your provider asks what is happening now, when it started and what has made it better or worse. They review your medical history, current medications and supplements, prior psychiatric treatment, family history, sleep, substance use and safety. Expect direct questions. They are asked of everyone and the answers shape the plan.
3. Plan
You and your provider agree on a working diagnosis and a first step. That might be a medication with a clear explanation of what to expect and when, a referral to one of our therapists, lab work to rule out medical causes, or a conversation about Deep TMS or Spravato if several medications have already failed. You leave with the plan in writing and a follow-up appointment, typically in two to four weeks.
Forms
After you book, intake forms arrive by email or through the patient portal: demographic and insurance information, medical and psychiatric history, consent to treatment, our financial policy, the Notice of Privacy Practices acknowledgment and, if applicable, a telehealth consent and a controlled-substance agreement. Completing them before the visit saves 15 to 20 minutes on the day. If you prefer paper, arrive 20 minutes early and we will provide them.
What to bring
- Insurance card and photo ID
- A current medication list with doses, or the bottles themselves
- Prior psychiatric records, hospital discharge summaries or a list of medications you have tried, how long and what happened
- Any prior psychological or ADHD testing
- Your pharmacy's name and location
- A list of questions you want answered
Insurance verification
We verify your benefits before the first visit and quote your expected copay or coinsurance. If your plan requires a referral or prior authorization for specialist visits, we tell you then so it can be in place by the appointment. We accept Medicare and most major plans; see insurance we accept. Without coverage, a new-patient evaluation is $185; see self-pay pricing.
Telehealth: a quick tech check
If your first visit is by video, test your setup the day before. You need a device with a camera and microphone, a current browser or the app named in your appointment email, and a private, well-lit room. Sit where you will not be interrupted and keep your phone nearby in case the video drops; your provider will call you. You must be physically in Florida or South Carolina during the visit. Have your medication bottles and your pharmacy details within reach.
Children and teens
A parent or legal guardian attends the first visit and signs consent. For younger children, the provider typically spends time with the parent and child together and then with each separately. Teens are given time alone with the provider; what they share is kept private except for safety concerns, which are always discussed with the family. Bring school reports, teacher rating scales or prior testing if you have them. Ages treated vary by provider, and the coordinator will match you to the right clinician when you book.
Controlled substances
Some medications used in psychiatry, including stimulants for ADHD and benzodiazepines for anxiety, are controlled substances. We prescribe them when they are the right treatment and we follow consistent rules when we do:
- We check the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) in Florida and South Carolina before prescribing and periodically thereafter.
- You sign a controlled-substance agreement covering one prescriber, one pharmacy, no early refills and random urine screens when clinically indicated.
- In-person requirements may apply. Federal and state rules can require an in-person visit before certain controlled substances are prescribed by telehealth, and some prescriptions require periodic in-person follow-up. Your provider will tell you what applies.
- Prior records help. If you have been prescribed a controlled substance before, records from that prescriber speed the decision.
- Lost or stolen prescriptions are generally not replaced early.
These rules protect patients and keep the medications available to the people who need them. If you have questions about how they affect you, ask at the first visit.
After the first visit
Your follow-up is usually two to four weeks out, by video or in person. At each visit we repeat the relevant scales, review side effects and function, and adjust the plan. Between visits, use the portal or call your office with questions. For refills, ask your pharmacy to send an electronic request and allow two business days.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the first appointment?
About one hour with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Follow-up visits are usually 20 to 30 minutes. If you complete your intake forms ahead of time, more of the hour goes to the conversation that matters.
Will I get a prescription at the first visit?
Often, yes, if medication is appropriate and safe to start. Sometimes the right first step is lab work, records from a prior prescriber or a therapy referral, and medication begins at the second visit. Certain controlled substances are not started at a first telehealth visit.
What are the screening scales for?
The PHQ-9, GAD-7, ASRS, MDQ and PCL-5 are short, validated questionnaires for depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar spectrum symptoms and trauma. They give a baseline number so that at later visits we can see whether treatment is working rather than relying on memory.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A spouse, parent or friend can join for part or all of the visit if you want them there. For patients under 18, a parent or legal guardian must attend the first visit and sign consent.
Do you treat children?
Yes, at several offices, and ages vary by provider. Some clinicians see children from age six; others begin at 12 or 13. When you call, tell the coordinator your child's age and we will match you to the right provider and office.
What if I am already on medication from another doctor?
Bring the list, or the bottles. We will review what you take, why and how it has gone, and we may ask for records from the prior prescriber. Do not stop any medication before the visit unless the prescriber who started it tells you to.
What if I cannot afford my copay?
Tell us before the visit. We can confirm your benefits, explain the self-pay rate of $185 for a new-patient evaluation, and talk through options. We would rather solve it in advance than have you skip care.
Is what I say confidential?
Yes, within the limits of the law. Your record is protected under HIPAA. We share information only with your written permission, with other clinicians involved in your care, with your insurer for billing, or where the law requires it, such as an immediate risk of serious harm. Our Notice of Privacy Practices has the details.