What is a Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation?

A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is often the best first step if you’ve never undergone a truly in-depth mental health assessment. It’s also essential when past treatments haven’t worked well, or when your symptoms are complex, overlapping, or hard to pin down. Many people come for this kind of evaluation simply because they want an independent, expert second opinion. Whether you’re seeking clarity on a diagnosis, wondering if there’s a better approach to medication, or trying to understand patterns that keep repeating in your life, this process is designed to give you a thoughtful, thorough foundation for moving forward.

Why Start Here?

Too often, people get a diagnosis or prescription after a quick chat, without anyone really exploring their story. A thorough evaluation slows things down, reduces the risk of misdiagnosis, and helps us uncover the real roots of your struggles—whether biological, psychological, or tied to life events. It’s how we build a treatment plan that truly fits you and sets the stage for lasting change.

What Conditions Do We Treat?

At Black Dog Psychiatry, we specialize in conditions that are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, including

• Depression and Anxiety that haven’t responded to typical treatments

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Personality Disorders like borderline and narcissistic traits

• Trauma-related disorders such as PTSD.

• I also see many high-functioning adults with ADHD, as well as gifted, emotionally sensitive, or intellectually intense individuals facing unique psychiatric challenges.

• In addition, I have a special focus on Reproductive Psychiatry, helping patients navigate mental health concerns tied to fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum transitions. My aim is to provide thoughtful, nuanced care that truly fits the complexity of your life.

What to Expect?

During your evaluation, we’ll spend 60 to 90 minutes in a secure video session talking through your history, current concerns, and hopes for treatment. I’ll ask about your medical background, mental health symptoms, and life experiences that might shape how you’re feeling today. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what might be driving your struggles and a preliminary roadmap for what comes next—whether that’s therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or sometimes more specialized assessments. It’s a thoughtful, collaborative process designed to give you both insight and a practical starting point.

Is This Right for You?

A comprehensive evaluation may be the best first step if:

• You’ve never had an in-depth psychiatric assessment

• Prior treatments haven’t worked well

• Your symptoms are complex, overlapping, or unclear

• You want an independent, expert second opinion

The Black Dog Difference

At Black Dog Psychiatry, we believe in digging deeper. We don’t offer rushed, surface-level visits or quick prescription refills. Your history matters, your story matters, and so does finding a treatment plan that’s truly tailored to you—because your future deserves more than a temporary patch.

FAQ

How should I prepare? Most people don’t need to do anything special—just come ready to talk openly. If you have old records, past diagnoses, or a medication list, that can be helpful, but it’s not required.

Will I get a diagnosis right away? Sometimes we can reach a working diagnosis in the first session. Other times, especially if things are complex, it may take a few visits to fully understand what’s going on.

Can this include medication? If medication is appropriate, we can discuss options at the first visit. In some cases, we might start treatment right away; in others, we may want to gather more information first.

What are the next steps after the initial evaluation? After the evaluation, we’ll discuss a tailored plan based on your needs. That might include ongoing sessions with us for therapy, medication management, or both. In some cases, we might recommend specialized therapy, medical testing, or lifestyle changes. If you prefer, you’re also welcome to take the evaluation findings back to your current provider for continued care. Either way, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your options and a roadmap forward.

How is this different from a typical psychiatric appointment? Many first visits elsewhere are brief—focused on checking boxes and prescribing quickly. This is a slower, deeper process meant to explore the nuances of your history and symptoms so we can avoid misdiagnosis and rushed fixes.

What if I decide not to continue after the evaluation? That’s perfectly fine. Some people come just for the comprehensive assessment and a second opinion. Others decide to continue care with us. Either way, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s going on and some guidance on next steps.

Is this covered by insurance? We work primarily as an out-of-network providers, which means you pay directly for your care at the time of service. We’ll provide you with a detailed receipt, called a superbill, that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. We do accept a few select insurance plans, but for the most part, this practice is designed to stay out-of-network so we can focus on personalized care without the constraints of insurance approvals or rushed visits. If you’re wondering whether your plan might be one of the exceptions, feel free to reach out and ask.