FAQs
What's the difference between a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatric nurse practitioner obtains a graduate-level degree after earning a 4-year undergraduate degree. After graduation from a graduate program, nurse practitioners must pass a national certification exam and be licensed by a state Board of Medicine and Nursing in order to practice. Nurse practitioners often have extensive experience working in a variety of medical specialties, such as ICU, cardiology, neurology, surgery, etc. prior to pursuing graduate studies. A psychiatrist obtains a medical degree and goes through a residency program in psychiatry before being allowed to practice. As with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners assess and diagnose patients, include psychotherapy with treatment, prescribe medications, educate patients and families about their diagnoses, and develop and manage treatment plans and goals with a wide variety of disorders and illnesses.
What insurance providers are accepted?
Anthem BlueCross/BlueShield, CareFirst, Cigna, Aetna, GEHA ,United Health Care.
How do In- network benefits work?
If your insurance company offers out in- network benefits, The best way to find out about coverage is to call your insurance company directly and ask the following:
1 ) Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
2) What is my copay for psychiatric care?
3) What is my deductible and has it been met?
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancelled appointments require at least 48 hours notice. Cancellations within 48 hours will incur a fee of $60. Please note that insurance companies do not reimburse the cost for missed appointments.
What is the first session like?
Initial evaluations are scheduled for one hour. This appointment is an extensive conversation consisting of questions about your current concerns, your past and what your goals are for treatment. At the end of the first session, we will provide you with my recommendations, which may involve talk therapy, traditional psychiatric medications, alternative treatments, or a combination of these interventions.
What if I already have a therapist?
We are happy to work collaboratively with your current therapist to manage your psychiatric medications. If we work together in this way, we believe in getting to know you beyond the symptoms that we are treating with medications. With your permission, we will keep in close communication with your therapist to ensure that we are putting our minds together to provide you with the best care possible.
What if I don't have a therapist?
Presently, we are accepting new patients. Many of our existing patients choose to work with us as their primary provider for a combination of therapy, medication management, and alternative treatments. If you are in need of a therapist we can refer you to a therapist in the
community.
What type of alternative treatments do you recommend?
We incorporate elements of meditation, nutritional counseling and holistic medicine with psychotherapy and conventional medications to help you achieve overall wellness. For example, we may recommend herbs or supplements in lieu of or in addition to traditional psychiatric medications. We teach breathing exercises that relax the mind and body. We encourage regular exercise, healthy sleep habits and proper hydration. We may also refer you to one of our colleagues for treatments, such as: massage, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment, and personal training.
How do I check in for my telehealth appointment?
Before your scheduled appointment time, you will receive a call from our office to collect your copay and confirm your appointment start time. Next, you will receive a link directing you to Veritas Behavioral Health's Doxy.me webpage where you will be asked to sign in.
Once you are in the virtual waiting room and the provider is ready, your appointment will start.
In addition to the tips below, you can go to https://doxy.me/precall-test which will walk you through setting up your device, ensuring your appointment will run smoothly.
Where are you located?
We are located at 2241 M Tacketts Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192. Look for the arched sign, left of the shopping center, that states, "Lakeside."