​Frequently Asked Questions
Practice Policies
What is a Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed 4 years of medical school and an additional 4 years of residency (internship) in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat all medical conditions but specialize in treating mental (psychiatric) disorders. They are able to order and interpret medical tests and prescribe medications. In addition, they are trained to provide psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are different from psychologists, who usually have a masters or doctorate degree and primarily perform psychotherapy. Psychologists and therapists are not medical doctors, do not complete medical school and cannot prescribe medications.
What Age Patients Do You Treat: We can evaluate and treat adults 18 and older.
What Type of Conditions Do You Treat: We treat a broad range of mental health issues including: Adult ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD. See SERVICES.
What We Do in the Initial Appointment: During your first visit, we will go through your entire mental and medical health history to get a comprehensive understanding of you. At the end of the visit we will come up with an integrated plan of treatment which may include lifestyle changes, therapy and medication. This initial visit (and sometimes the second visit) are the basis for the treatment plan. In most cases, we can start medication at the first visit. Please bring a list of your current and past medications to your initial appointment.
Frequency of Appointments: All patients who are being prescribed psychotropic medication must be seen by me at least once every month while we are adjusting medications and then a minimum of every three months. I am unable to renew medication prescriptions without an appointment within the aforementioned time frame.
Medication Refills: For prescription refills and prior authorization requests, please plan to allow three business days for us to coordinate with the pharmacy.
Cancellation Policy: With advance notice, you are able to cancel or reschedule your appointments using your Self-Service Portal. Without 72 hours advance notice, you will be charged a fee for a missed or canceled visit. It is important to know that “no show” sessions cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement. Dr. Shah offers his existing patients the option to do a video visit if you are sick or traveling and unable to make it to the appointment in person.
Urgent, Crisis Situations: Safety is my highest priority. If there is a potential of any physical danger to you or others, call 911 immediately or go to the closest emergency room before contacting me. After securing emergency services, please send me a secure message on your patient portal.
What is a Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed 4 years of medical school and an additional 4 years of residency (internship) in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat all medical conditions but specialize in treating mental (psychiatric) disorders. They are able to order and interpret medical tests and prescribe medications. In addition, they are trained to provide psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are different from psychologists, who usually have a masters or doctorate degree and primarily perform psychotherapy. Psychologists and therapists are not medical doctors, do not complete medical school and cannot prescribe medications.
What Age Patients Do You Treat: We can evaluate and treat adults 18 and older.
What Type of Conditions Do You Treat: We treat a broad range of mental health issues including: Adult ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD. See SERVICES.
What We Do in the Initial Appointment: During your first visit, we will go through your entire mental and medical health history to get a comprehensive understanding of you. At the end of the visit we will come up with an integrated plan of treatment which may include lifestyle changes, therapy and medication. This initial visit (and sometimes the second visit) are the basis for the treatment plan. In most cases, we can start medication at the first visit. Please bring a list of your current and past medications to your initial appointment.
Frequency of Appointments: All patients who are being prescribed psychotropic medication must be seen by me at least once every month while we are adjusting medications and then a minimum of every three months. I am unable to renew medication prescriptions without an appointment within the aforementioned time frame.
Medication Refills: For prescription refills and prior authorization requests, please plan to allow three business days for us to coordinate with the pharmacy.
Cancellation Policy: With advance notice, you are able to cancel or reschedule your appointments using your Self-Service Portal. Without 72 hours advance notice, you will be charged a fee for a missed or canceled visit. It is important to know that “no show” sessions cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement. Dr. Shah offers his existing patients the option to do a video visit if you are sick or traveling and unable to make it to the appointment in person.
Urgent, Crisis Situations: Safety is my highest priority. If there is a potential of any physical danger to you or others, call 911 immediately or go to the closest emergency room before contacting me. After securing emergency services, please send me a secure message on your patient portal.