How to Prepare for Your Psychiatric Evaluation

Before your appointment

Complete your intake forms

After booking, you will receive intake forms by email through a secure patient portal. These forms ask about your medical history, current symptoms, medications, and what brings you in. Plan about 20 minutes to fill them out.

Completing the forms ahead of time means your appointment is focused entirely on you, not on paperwork. The more detail you include, the better prepared Alice will be to help you in that first session.

If you are not sure how to answer a question on the intake form:

Do your best and leave a note. It is fine to write "not sure" or "will explain in appointment." The forms are a starting point, not a test.

What to have ready

What to bring (or have nearby)

💊

A medication listInclude every prescription, over-the-counter medication, vitamin, and supplement you take regularly. Dosages and how long you have been taking them are helpful but not required.

📋

Prior diagnoses or records (if you have them)Past evaluations, therapy notes, or records from previous providers can be helpful context. But they are not required. Many people come in with no records at all, and that is completely fine.

📷

A device with a camera and microphoneAny smartphone, tablet, or computer works. No special app is needed. You will receive a link to a secure video room before your appointment.

🔒

A private spaceFind somewhere you can speak freely for 60 minutes. Your car works well if home is not private. The quality of the conversation matters more than the setting.

📄

Your insurance card or informationHave your member ID and group number available. If you are paying out of pocket, a card on file is required at the start of your appointment.

During your visit

What to expect during your evaluation

Your first appointment is a 60-minute comprehensive evaluation. Alice will lead the conversation, but it is collaborative. Here is a general sense of what the visit covers:

What brings you in today and how long it has been going on
Your current symptoms and how they affect your daily life, work, and relationships
Your mental health history, including any past diagnoses, medications tried, or therapy
Your medical history, including sleep, physical health, and family history
Your life context, including stress, major life events, and what you are hoping for from care

You do not need to have the right words or the right answers. Say what you actually experience, even if it feels hard to articulate. Alice is trained to ask the right follow-up questions to help you get to the heart of what is going on.

A tip from the provider:

The most useful thing you can do before the visit is think about how your symptoms affect your daily life, not just how they make you feel in the moment. "I have been anxious" is less useful than "I have been waking up at 3am for three months and cannot stop thinking about work." Specifics help.

After your visit

What happens next

At the end of your first appointment you will have a clearer picture of what is going on and a plan for moving forward. This may include:

A diagnosis, when the evaluation supports one
A prescription sent electronically to your pharmacy, if medication is appropriate
Lab work ordered if baseline testing is relevant to your treatment
A scheduled follow-up visit (typically within 2 to 4 weeks for new patients on medication)
Recommendations for therapy, lifestyle changes, or additional support if relevant

If you have questions after your visit, you can reach out through the patient portal. Responses to non-urgent messages are typically within 24 to 72 business hours.

Common worries

Things people are nervous about (and should not be)

"What if I cannot describe what I am feeling?"

That is extremely common and not a problem. Alice asks specific questions that most people find much easier to answer than open-ended ones. You do not need to arrive with a prepared speech.

"What if nothing is actually wrong with me?"

If nothing treatable is found, you will leave with that clarity, which is also valuable. But people rarely seek a psychiatric evaluation when they are functioning well. If you are here, something is worth looking into.

"Will I be judged for what I share?"

No. Alice's practice is a judgment-free space. The things that feel most shameful to say out loud are often the most clinically important. The appointment is confidential, and the more honest you are, the more useful it is.

"What if I am put on medication I do not want?"

Treatment is always collaborative. Medication is never prescribed without discussion, and you are never required to take anything. Your preferences and concerns are part of every treatment decision.

How to Prepare for YourPsychiatric Evaluation