Psychiatric Evaluation | Denver & Golden
Your Journey Towards a Better Day
Your journey towards a better day begins with a psychiatric evaluation. In order for your provider to tailor a mental health treatment program to your or your child’s unique needs, they first need to understand the root of symptoms and challenges. Psychiatric mental health evaluations are used to arrive at a comprehensive and accurate understanding of “what’s going on” to inform “how we move forward.” Seeking a psychiatric evaluation is a proactive step toward improving your or your child’s mental well-being.
Our experienced and multidisciplinary team is equipped to offer psychiatric evaluation for children and teens as part of our pediatric psychiatry program , as well as for adults. Take the first step towards a better day with a psychiatric evaluation in Golden, Denver, and beyond.
How Does A Psychiatric Evaluation Work?
We offer psychiatric evaluations in person or via telehealth appointment. Patients appreciate that mental health teletherapy is:
- Convenient: no need to travel to and from an office or clinic.
- Accessible: no matter where you live, a doctor can connect with you.
- Comforting: you or your child may be more comfortable talking to a provider about sensitive topics from the familiarity and comfort of your home.
Prior to the Evaluation
A pediatric or adult psychiatric evaluation is typically 1 hour in length. Prior to the appointment, your provider will send an intake form for you to complete and return, and collect any past medical records that are relevant. Your mental health practitioner will review these documents before meeting with you so that they have an understanding of why you are seeking help, what has been tried already (if anything), and to have an idea of how to focus the evaluation.
During the Evaluation
During the evaluation, you will meet with your provider either in person or via telehealth appointment. Initially, the session will involve discussion on confidentiality, reviewing the reasons for the evaluation, obtaining any additional background information and answering any questions you might have about the process. For pediatric patients in particular, building rapport before jumping right in is important.
The majority of the session will be used to explore the reason for the appointment. This involves discussing the onset and severity of symptoms, any previous treatment, or strategies that have been beneficial. Additionally, your provider will inquire about your family’s psychiatric history, medical, substance, social, and developmental factors that could contribute. Having a thorough understanding of history and what you’re currently experiencing is essential for establishing an accurate diagnosis.
Towards the end of the appointment, your provider will review diagnoses, consider if further evaluations or information from family members would be helpful, and then discuss the treatment plan. If a medication is suggested, your provider will educate you about the options to foster a collaborative approach. When starting a medication, the philosophy at A Better Day Psychiatry is to find the lowest effective dose that the patient can be on. Ultimately, the decision to start a medication is always up to you. If you decide a medication is appropriate, you would continue care through our psychiatric medication management program.
After the Evaluation | Follow up Care
You may decide not to continue care with medication management or therapy after the evaluation. If a medication is decided upon, regular monitoring and follow up are crucial aspects of medication management. During these follow up sessions, your provider will assess the effectiveness of the medication, ask about side effects, make any dosing adjustments, and/or address any concerns or questions.
At A Better Day Psychiatry, our goal in a psychiatric evaluation is to provide you with an accurate diagnosis, as well as to foster an environment that is open, safe, and free from judgment. Whether you’re seeking a psychiatric evaluation in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado, our team is dedicated to ensuring accurate and evidence based diagnoses.
Reasons You Might Consider Consulting with A Psychiatrist
A psychiatric evaluation is instrumental in diagnosing a wide range of mental health disorders. The outcome of the evaluation is typically a diagnosis of a mental health condition(s). Here are some of the most common conditions that are diagnosed through a mental health psychiatric evaluation:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD
- Insomnia
Reasons You Might Consider Pursuing a Psychiatric Evaluation
Considering a mental health psychiatric evaluation means you care about mental wellness and want to improve your own, or a loved ones well-being. If you or your child experiences any of the following symptoms, a psychiatric evaluation is the first step in learning what’s going on and what your options are to improve quality of life. You may consider reaching out to a mental health expert if you experience or see any of the following:
- Social Withdrawal: Avoiding friends, family, and previously enjoyed activities.
- Emotional Dysregulation: Displaying frequent and intense mood swings or temper tantrums.
- Changes in Sleep and Eating: Experiencing sudden alterations in sleep or eating habits without explanation.
- Friendship Challenges: Struggling with forming or maintaining friendships.
- Irritability and Anxiety: Exhibiting increased irritability, anxiety, or excessive fear.
- Academic Decline: Demonstrating a notable decrease in academic performance.
- Concentration Issues: Experiencing difficulty focusing or remaining still.
- Suicidal Ideation: Expressing thoughts of self-harm or making threats of suicide.
- Substance Use: Engaging in substance use or experimentation.
- Low Self-Esteem: Having poor self-esteem or a negative self-image.
- Coping with Transitions: Difficulty adjusting to life changes or processing grief.
Begin your Journey towards a better day.
At A Better Day Psychiatry, we specialize in assisting you or your loved ones in enhancing quality of life despite the challenges. Our experienced providers are dedicated to accurately diagnosing providing comprehensive care tailored to manage symptoms and enhance overall well-being.
Psychiatric Evaluation FAQs
At A Better Day Psychiatry, we want you to be informed and empowered in understanding the clinical process of a psychiatric evaluation for adults and kids. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about Psychiatric Evaluation in Golden, Denver, and beyond.
Is there any difference in the process for a Pediatric Psychiatric Evaluation?
The main difference for pediatric patients is the involvement of family members during the psychiatric evaluation. For pediatric patients, our providers will typically meet with the patient and parents or guardians together to start then branch off to be able to talk to the patient individually then the parents/guardians individually. Finally, everyone will come back together at the end to discuss the plan. For pediatric patients, there may also be more emphasis on developmental questions.
Will there be any medical tests or blood work?
There will not be any medical tests or blood work for your appointment with your provider at A Better Day Psychiatry, though your provider may recommend some medical or lab testing based on your symptoms. For blood tests we provide a lab slip that can be taken to any common laboratory such as Quest or Labcorp. For medical testing, imagers, etc. we may coordinate with your primary care doctor or specialist as needed.
Do you perform neuropsychological testing for things like intelligence, learning disabilities, or autism?
Yes! Please see our Psychological Testing page for more information.
Can your evaluations be used to help get accommodations at school or work?
It depends on what mental health issues are being tested for and what accommodations are being sought. We are able to provide letters supporting accommodations, 504 plans, IEP’s etc. for depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, OCD, schizophrenia, and others.
Will you be able to prescribe medications after the first evaluation?
In most cases we can get enough information from the initial evaluation and supporting paperwork and records to diagnose and treat conditions on the first visit. There are times though where the diagnosis is unclear and requires further evaluations and appointments prior to initiating treatment.