What To Expect

ATC Psychiatry provides evidence-based psychiatric evaluation and medication management through secure telehealth for adults, teens, and families across Washington State. You can view all service areas on our Locations page. This page walks you through exactly what to expect before, during, and after your appointments.

If you have general questions, you can also visit our FAQ page.

Scheduling Your First Appointment

Easy Online Scheduling

Click the Schedule Appointment button at the top or bottom of the page to access our secure patient portal (PracticeQ/IntakeQ). You will be able to:

• Request an initial psychiatric evaluation

• Complete your intake paperwork

• Upload insurance information

• Review consent forms

• Choose appointment times based on provider availability

No referral is required.

After You Submit Your Paperwork

Our office will review your intake form for clinical appropriateness and insurance verification.

A member of our team will contact you within 4 business days to confirm scheduling or clarify any details.

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Your Initial Psychiatric Evaluation

The initial evaluation is a comprehensive, collaborative appointment designed to fully understand your concerns, history, and goals.

Length of Appointment

Initial evaluations typically last 60–90 minutes, depending on clinical complexity.

What We Discuss

Your provider will explore:

• What brought you in

• Current symptoms

• Medical, psychiatric, and family history

• Previous treatments

• Lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, habits)

• Your goals and preferences for care

Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

By the end of the evaluation, your provider may:

• Offer an initial diagnosis (when appropriate)

• Discuss possible treatment options

• Recommend medication, therapy, behavioral strategies, or lifestyle changes

• Collaborate with you to decide next steps

A complete treatment plan may not be finalized during this first visit — especially for complex presentations.

Important Note About Clinical Appropriateness

The initial evaluation does not guarantee an ongoing patient-provider relationship or medication prescriptions.

If telehealth is not clinically appropriate or a higher level of care is needed, your provider will discuss alternatives and referrals.

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Follow-Up Visits

Once a treatment plan is established and mutually agreed upon, follow-ups are scheduled based on diagnosis, symptoms, and stability.

Typical Follow-Up Frequency

• Every 2–4 weeks during medication adjustments

• Every 1–3 months for stable, long-term management

• As clinically indicated for specific conditions (ADHD, mood disorders, etc.)

What Follow-Ups Include

Each follow-up may include:

• Review of symptoms and progress

• Medication effectiveness and side effects

• Therapy or lifestyle recommendations

• Adjustments to the treatment plan

• Coordination with other providers (with your permission)

Controlled medications may require more frequent visits depending on Washington State guidelines.

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Telehealth Requirements

To participate in telehealth appointments, you’ll need:

• A smartphone, tablet, or computer

• A stable internet connection

• A private, quiet space

• Ability to join via the secure video link sent through the portal

Your link will arrive shortly before your appointment time.

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Insurance & Rates

If you’re using insurance, the final cost of care depends on your plan’s copay, coinsurance, or deductible.

You can review accepted plans and pricing on our Rates & Insurance page.

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Ready to Get Started?

You can schedule your initial evaluation at any time using our secure online portal. If you have questions before scheduling, you can also reach us through our Contact page