Leveling the Playing Field: Can Psychiatry Work for Me?

Many people are worried about going for their first visit with a Psychiatric provider. They have all sorts of notions about what might happen from watching TV or movies, and those ideas are often completely inaccurate and maybe even a little scary. 

The truth about your session is much less scary! And, much more helpful!

Here's a roadmap for what to expect when you meet with our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Mary Gillingham. Mary is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with comprehensive training and experience in treating psychiatric and substance use disorders across the lifespan. She believes in empowering her clients and utilizing a holistic approach.

When you first reach out to our office to make an appointment with Mary, you'll probably talk with our Office Manager, Angie, or our Receptionist or Intern to make your first appointment. They will check your insurance and make sure to get all of your basic information entered in our system. They'll also send you some questionnaires about your symptoms so Mary can know a little bit about what's going on before you even meet her. You should know how much you will owe for each session before your first session as well, so you won't have any surprise billing. You will get access to our Client Portal where all of this information is housed, and you'll always be able to make future appointments online and to see your appointment history. With our Client Portal, you can electronically sign all consent forms so you won't have to print or physically handle paper. You'll also have the option to schedule your appointment as a telehealth session, where you will plan to see Mary on your screen or to come into our Dallas office. Regardless of which option you choose, Mary will give you her full attention and will provide excellent care.

Once you get to that first appointment, you'll have a conversation about what is going on with you and what you want help with. Mary will talk with you about your diagnosis (if there is a diagnosis) and how medication may be able to help. She'll talk with you about the risks and benefits for each medication and all of the available options to be able to manage your concerns, including therapies, lifestyle changes, and even supplements. Mary will also take a close look at what might be causing your concerns and symptoms. She may order labs and even an EKG to monitor the causes of your symptoms and the effectiveness of any medications prescribed. Mary is an incredibly compassionate provider and will seek to learn as much about you and your body as is possible.

If you elect to accept medications, Mary can send those prescriptions in via e-prescription, so your pharmacy will immediately have the prescription in their system. 

Depending on your specific circumstances, Mary will want to check back in with you 1-4 weeks after you have started any new medication to see how you are responding to the medication and adjust the dose if needed. 

Once your symptoms and medication regimen is stable, you'll just need to see Mary every 60-90 days for follow-up and prescription renewal. Again, each person's care is customized to their needs, so the frequency of your follow-up sessions will be specific to your specific situation.

Medication management is not for everyone. Your needs are as unique as you are, and it just may not be necessary for you to take medication. Or, you may not be happy with the potential side effects of medications available to you. Having an evaluation allows you to see what is available to you. Our provider, Mary Gillingham, will take the time to listen to your concerns and to fully educate you about all of your options. If medication is right for you, great! If it's not, that's fine too!

Mary is unable to prescribe stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse or similar) and are very conservative in the prescription of benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Ativan, or similar). She does, however, have many treatment strategies available to treat ADHD and anxiety. Our priority is to help you feel better without any unintended consequences (side effects, dependence) on prescription medication. 

Mary accepts some forms of insurance, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna, Optum, Oxford, and Oscar. Applications have been submitted and are pending for Medicare, Medicaid, and Caresource. If you do not have insurance or have an insurance for which we are not currently credentialed, you can pay privately, and we will provide a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. 

Regardless of whether you seek to set up an appointment with The Northrop Connection, I hope that this description helps to demystify what happens when you seek a consultation with a psychiatric provider. Medications and treatment options have come a long way in the last few decades, and there are just so many options to help you feel better and more like yourself.

One of the best descriptions that I've ever heard from a client about a proper medication routine is that it "levels the playing field". If you need medication, and you have a good regimen, you will still feel the highs and lows that life has to offer, but it will be on an even keel.

You will no longer be hijacked by your emotions.

Your true values will remain intact, and your reactions will be on par with life's circumstances.

In short, you will be you.

To set up an appointment with our Nurse Practitioner, Mary Gillingham, call or email our Office Manager, Angie Downing. Call 678-332-7955, and press 0 or email her at [email protected].