Online psychiatric evaluations

What an evaluation includes

The initial conversation explores what brings you to care and what you hope to change. Prisca Oketch, APRN, PMHNP-BC, provides care as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. LisaCare serves all ages across the lifespan through telehealth and offers care in English and Swahili.

An evaluation is the place to discuss relevant history, current concerns, goals and questions about possible next steps. What happens afterward depends on your needs and the practice’s scope. LisaCare also offers medication management as an ongoing service. An evaluation does not guarantee a diagnosis, medication or a particular treatment after one visit.

Questions to prepare before an initial visit

• Which concerns and services fit my needs?
• What information should I bring to the evaluation?
• What happens after the evaluation?
• Does the practice need to confirm any age, location or service eligibility details?
• Which fees, insurance benefits or cash-pay arrangements apply to me?

LisaCare offers ADHD testing and GeneSight testing. Ask about the testing methods, eligibility, separate fees and limits before assuming either test is part of a standard evaluation. The specialties overview links to focused information about anxiety, depression and ADHD and lists the practice’s additional specialties.

Prepare for your first visit

Before the appointment, consider writing down the concerns you want to discuss, when they began, how they affect daily life and what you hope to understand or change. Have an accurate list of current medications and supplements, including doses, along with relevant allergies, previous medications, prior mental health care and medical conditions. Ask LisaCare which records or forms are needed and how the practice wants to receive them.

If a family member, caregiver or other clinician has information that may be helpful, ask how that information can be included and what permission is required. The National Institute of Mental Health’s visit-preparation tips recommend being open about symptoms, medications and questions and taking notes during the appointment.

Clarify screening, evaluation and testing

Ask whether any questionnaire is a brief screening tool, part of the broader psychiatric evaluation or a separate formal test. Also ask how results will be interpreted and what they can and cannot establish. LisaCare should confirm how its ADHD and GeneSight testing services fit the evaluation process before you schedule either service.

Common questions about an evaluation

What should I be ready to discuss?

Start with the concerns that brought you to care, when they began, their effect on daily life and your goals. A written question list and current medication list can help you organize the conversation. Ask LisaCare which forms or prior records are needed and how to send them securely; do not send medical records through the public website or ordinary email.

Is ADHD testing included in the initial visit?

LisaCare offers ADHD testing. Before scheduling, confirm whether testing is included in the initial evaluation or arranged separately, and ask about the method, eligibility, fees, what to prepare and how results will be explained. A screening questionnaire, a clinical evaluation and a separate testing service should not be assumed to be the same appointment. Review the ADHD care and testing questions before contacting LisaCare.

What happens after the evaluation?

The evaluation provides a starting point for individualized planning. Ask which next steps fit your needs, whether follow-up or separate testing is recommended and whether another service or clinician is appropriate. If ongoing medication care is part of your plan, review medication management and confirm the follow-up arrangement with LisaCare.

Telehealth access and fees

LisaCare provides telehealth care for patients physically located in Texas, Oregon or Washington during the appointment. Insurance networks differ by state. Medicaid is accepted in Oregon only, and Washington appointments are currently cash-pay while insurance enrollment is pending.

The cash-pay fee is $200 for an initial visit and $150 for a follow-up visit. A $75 monthly Gold membership is listed for follow-up appointments in medication management and brief psychotherapy. Review fees and insurance and confirm your exact arrangement.

How to start

Before booking an initial visit, contact LisaCare to arrange the 15-minute eligibility consultation. It costs $15 and is credited toward the initial visit if you proceed. The consultation is separate from the $200 initial visit. Ask LisaCare how to arrange the initial visit after the eligibility consultation.

Ask LisaCare about evaluation eligibility, review appointment options, or meet Prisca.