Reviewed 2026-09-21 · DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Rule-in / rule-out psychiatric evaluation
Patients driving from Hollywood (0 min) can complete the first evaluation in Hollywood or, when clinically appropriate, by Florida telehealth.
What Psychiatric Evaluations actually includes
Mood disorder evaluation asks about duration, anhedonia, mixed features, postpartum onset, seasonality, and hypomania — because treatment diverges.
Mental health assessment in this practice means structured interviewing plus scales. Screening is not the same as a full diagnostic formulation.
Indications and differentials
affordable mental health assessment is treated as a presenting complaint that still has to survive a differential, not as a self-diagnosis we rubber-stamp.
Substance use that may be inducing or masking a primary psychiatric disorder.
Not indicated as a substitute for emergency care, inpatient psychiatry, or court-ordered forensic evaluation.
Prior diagnoses that conflict with each other or with the current mental status exam.
How this differs from a 15-minute med check
We will not outperform a sleep study when apnea is the main syndrome — we will refer.
ER psychiatry stabilizes crises. Outpatient Psychiatric Evaluations is for people who can wait for a scheduled diagnostic hour.
Direct-to-consumer ADHD apps optimize for conversion. This clinic optimizes for a differential that can survive a chart audit.
How Psychiatric Evaluations is structured
Mental status exam is documented: appearance, speech, affect, thought process, insight, cognition, and risk.
Records from other clinicians are requested with your authorization; we do not pretend collateral is optional when the history is fragmented.
Follow-up is scheduled before you leave so the evaluation is not a one-off performance.
Plan includes psychotherapy referral, medication or not, labs, and a follow-up date.
Questions we hear about Psychiatric Evaluations
What labs might you order?
Hypothesis-driven: TSH with free T4, ferritin, vitamin D, B12, folate, CBC, CMP, and selected hormones. Not every patient needs every test.
Is the visit confidential?
HIPAA applies, with the usual safety exceptions (imminent harm, mandated reports).
Do you see children?
The practice is primarily adults and older adolescents, considered case-by-case.
What if I am in crisis?
Call 988 or go to an emergency department. This clinic is not an after-hours crisis line.
How long is a psychiatric evaluation?
New evaluations are typically 60–90 minutes. Follow-up length depends on risk and how many variables changed.
What does 'affordable' in some URLs mean?
Leftover slugs. We do not market cheap care. We bill insurance when in-network and discuss costs before non-covered labs.
Why Hollywood presentations look the way they do
PHQ-9 was never scored, or it was scored once and never repeated, so nobody can tell whether treatment is working.
A previous provider documented 'depression' without asking about postpartum onset, seasonal pattern, or mixed features.
You cycle through primary care, a therapist, and a telehealth app that cannot see each other's notes.
Protocol elements we do not skip
Follow-up interval tightens when a new antidepressant, antipsychotic, or mood stabilizer is started.
We do not combine MAOIs with contraindicated agents. We do not ignore serotonin syndrome risk.
Benzodiazepines, when used, have an indication, a taper plan, and a discussion of dependence.
Notes are written the same day whenever possible so the record matches the visit.
Next step
Crisis now is 988 or the ER — not the booking form. For non-urgent Psychiatric Evaluations, use (888) 307-2199 during weekday hours.
Questions about insurance, labs, or whether Psychiatric Evaluations can be done by video: call (888) 307-2199 before you book so the visit type matches the clinical need.
Related care
Clinician: Dr. Dorothy Chatelier, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Last medical review: 2026-09-21.
Florida telehealth psychiatry is available to established and new patients located in Florida at the time of the visit, subject to licensure and clinical appropriateness. An in-person evaluation at the Hollywood office may be recommended when a physical exam, vital signs, or a more complete diagnostic interview is needed.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always seek care from a qualified clinician for questions about a medical or psychiatric condition. If you are in crisis, call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department.