What happens during the first visit?
At the end of this appointment, we will discuss a treatment plan, including the frequency of subsequent visits. This treatment plan may include medication, psychotherapy, or both and will be guided by your preferences and needs. I may also refer you for group or other professional consultations or testing. If you choose to go on medication, we will discuss potential side effects and what you can expect.
How long are subsequent visits?
Medication monitoring visits are 25 minutes long and spaced apart depending on how often we need to get together to review your medication treatment and make decisions about any needed changes. If your medication is working well and your condition is stable, I will ask you to see me every 4 months at a minimum. If you are on a controlled substance, we will need to meet more often. These checkup visits must be face-to-face on telehealth and cannot be held over the phone.
Psychotherapy visits are 45 minutes in length and may include medication monitoring. The frequency of psychotherapy visits varies from once a week to once a month. I provide psycho-education parenting sessions for parents of teens who are demonstrating high-risk behaviors. These sessions may be focused on one or two issues and only occur once or twice.
Is there anything I should do before our first appointment?
It is helpful if you complete the Patient Registration Form, which is available after you create a Theranest patient portal account. If you have been on medication previously, please bring a list of your current and previous medications, including the doses and length of time you used them. If you have a psychotherapist and would like for me to speak with them before your fist visit, please have them contact me.
Do you do collaborate with other psychotherapists or physicians to provide integrated treatment?
Yes. If you are currently in treatment with a psychotherapist or primary care physician, I will have you complete an Authorization to Release Information form since this will allow me to contact your therapist or physician to provide him or her with feedback about our appointment and to discuss a shared treatment plan as needed. I stay in regular communication with collaborating providers.
What if I have a question about my medication (e.g. side effects) or need a refill in between appointments?
I always encourage you to call or contact me with questions about your medication on the patient portal. I do my best to return all calls and emails the day they are received unless you call after business hours. I feel that time spent on the phone or by email can be essential for good treatment, and I do not routinely charge for this time. However, if I see that we are spending extended periods of time outside of the session, I will discuss with you the need for a telehealth appointment.
If I am prescribing medication for you, I ask that you keep track of your medication supply so that you can call for an appointment at least a few days before you run out. If we have agreed ahead of time that you do not need to be seen before your medication runs out, It would be helpful to me if you always called your pharmacy for a refill rather than contacting me directly, as this would enable the pharmacy to have your records prepared when they call me. This applies even if your bottle indicates no additional refills are available.
Do you charge for missed visits?
I understand that there may be times when you need to change an appointment. I request 24 hours' advance notice of cancellation, or else I will need to charge you for that session. I have a $100 no show-fee to initial visits that are missed and that must be paid before a new initial visit is scheduled. Please be aware that insurance companies will not reimburse you for a missed appointment.
What are your fees and do you accept insurance?
While I do not contract with insurance companies, I do assist my patients by providing the paperwork necessary to submit to their insurance carriers for reimbursement. I am considered an “out-of-network” provider for PPO insurance plans. Practicing this way allows me to provide the kind of care I feel is most helpful, without having to spend substantial amounts of time on paperwork. Additionally, it ensures complete patient confidentiality for patients who elect not to notify their insurance carriers or employers of provided care.
Contact Me
For any questions you have, you can reach me here:
Laurel Edinburgh
612.719.5392
Texting is preferred
Or send me a message by filling in the form below.
