What Do Psychiatrists Diagnose on the First Visit?

Psychiatrists and psychologists are often confused with one another, with many people not fully knowing the difference between these two fields of mental health care, as well as with other types of mental health care. The biggest differentiating factor for psychiatrists from other mental health providers is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Since they are a medical doctor, they are qualified to diagnose a wider range of mental illnesses and conditions and provide patients with prescriptions for medications and other types of treatments, while also offering talk therapy for their patients if deemed a recommended component of their patient’s treatment plan.

Psychologists and counselors are not able to prescribe medications and provide care that focuses more on providing other types of therapies including talk therapy to patients.

A psychiatrist may be able to provide their patient with an accurate diagnosis for a mental health condition after just one visit, with the patient often being able to leave their initial appointment with a treatment plan more or less determined. An evaluation may be required during this initial visit for the psychiatrist to obtain any relevant information to determine an accurate diagnosis, requiring a longer than-normal session that may end up being closer to 90 minutes.

In some cases, the psychiatrist may need multiple sessions to ensure that they are confident in an accurate diagnosis but should have the diagnosis figured out within 2 to 3 sessions so that the patient can start their treatment as quickly as possible. The psychiatric evaluation will often include an in-depth look at the patient’s behavior, as well as their physical and mental health, family medical history, personal medical history, social life, and daily environment. The psychiatrist may request laboratory testing be completed, including taking a blood sample from the patient, brain scans, and completing language, speech, and psychological assessments. These tests and components of an in-depth evaluation will typically be completed within one session, but it may take some time for the psychiatrist to receive all of the results to analyze to determine an accurate diagnosis.

Success Health System accepts most major insurance providers for their patients to receive as much financial support and coverage for psychiatric care as possible, making us a great option for those located in Columbia, Independence, Creve Coeur MO. It is common for psychiatric clinics to not accept insurance coverage, making their patients have to cover the entire costs of essential treatments out of pocket. Not accepting any insurance providers can make receiving high-quality psychiatric care entirely inaccessible for those who can’t afford the care they require. By accepting most insurance providers who can offer individuals with at least partial financial coverage or reimbursement of vital mental health services, the general population can more effectively take care of their mental health, resulting in a much higher quality of life for all communities.

Finding a psychiatrist based on your insurance involves understanding your insurance plan’s network and coverage options. At Success Health System LLC, we accept most major insurance providers, making it easier for you to access the care you need without the stress of out-of-network costs. Our team can help you verify your insurance details, ensuring that your visit is covered under your plan.

We understand that navigating insurance can sometimes be overwhelming, which is why we are more than happy to assist with any questions or concerns you may have about your coverage. We believe that all patients deserve access to high-quality mental health services, and our goal is to ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent you from receiving the care you deserve.

For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Creve Coeur MO, Independence MO, and Columbia MO. We serve patients from Creve Coeur MO, Overland MO, Bridgeton MO, Independence MO, Raytown MO, Kansas City MO, Columbia MO, Shaw MO, Midway MO and surrounding areas.