Before
the First appointment

To ensure I fully understand your situation, I ask that patients email me, prior to our intake, any relevant documentation they have available, including records from prior/ongoing treatment, as well as copies of IEP’s. This, along with filling out the intake form, provides me with a solid foundation and allows us to focus more on the details that matter most to you during our appointment.

What to expect the day of

I generally spend 90-120 minutes for intakes. The last 20-30 minutes is spent discussing the diagnosis and treatment options. I prefer to make sure patients leave their first appointment understanding why they are having their presenting symptoms, why I am recommending a particular strategy, and what are the likely risks/benefits/alternatives to my recommendations. Since I strongly believe in patient-driven treatment, this approach ensures that they can make the best decision for themselves.

NOTE: If the patient is a minor, please ensure they can be present for at least part of the appointment. Additionally, with teens, I try to talk to them alone for part of the initial appointment if they’re willing. It’s important that they know that I’m ultimately here to help and advocate for them.

Going forward

Follow-up appointments are generally 30 minutes. I’m open to brief phone calls or emails between appointments as long as they are about non-emergent issues and can be addressed in under 5 minutes. Otherwise, I do ask that patients schedule a sooner follow-up appointment to discuss. Common example: “I’m having XYZ new symptom. Is it a side effect of my medication? Will it go away? Should I stop my medication?”