“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.”
“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.”
GETTING STARTED
Scheduling
The first step toward treatment is to call us. After we receive your message, our administrative assistant will call you back, usually within 24 hours.
Claire will ask for some basic information, describe our practice, and answer any questions you may have. If our practice features fit the type of treatment you’re seeking, she will pass your information on to the clinician who seems like the best fit for your needs.
One of us will then call or email you back to speak with you directly and schedule the initial evaluation. There’s often a wait of between one to four weeks for the first appointment, although this varies by the clinician and according to the time of year.
The Initial Consultation
The first sessions are dedicated to understanding you and the problems that bring you to treatment as comprehensively and deeply as possible. This initial phase may last between two to four sessions. It involves a combination of open-ended listening and focused inquiry.
We will cover areas that include:
- your current life situation
- current and past symptoms
- current and past relationships
- early development
- academic and occupational experiences
- family history
- personal medical history
- past treatment history
We will also pay close attention to our interactions and chemistry during the evaluation and address any questions or concerns that come up during this time. We aim for a process in which two people are mutually, respectfully, and thoughtfully engaged in understanding the problems at hand.
By the end of this initial assessment, your doctor will develop and share with you a preliminary comprehensive, multidimensional diagnostic impression of your particular situation. Your doctor will then lay out possible treatment options which might include medications, psychological therapies, and/or behavioral interventions. Together we will weigh the risks and benefits of each option and select the treatment plan that feels right for you.
Registration
You will need to complete, sign and return these forms to your doctor prior to your scheduled appointment. These can be completed and returned to us electronically or you can print them out, complete them, and then send back to us via scanning and email, fax, or through regular mail.
Ongoing Treatment: What Type, How Often, For How Long?
Decisions about the type, frequency and duration of treatment follow from the initial assessment. We strive to customize the configuration of your care as much as possible. Treatments might be medication-based, more psychotherapeutic, involve aspects of chronotherapy or psychoeducation, or any combination of these elements. Session frequency is also variable depending on the severity of the problem and other factors; it might range from once to twice per week to monthly or quarterly.
Predictions about the length of treatment are the most challenging. Your doctor will attempt to give you a possible range of time that your treatment might last, however these early projections are typically reworked and revised based on how the therapy proceeds and how you respond. As with all treatment decisions, these will be made jointly, through mutual discussion with your doctor.
Booking your first appointment with a mental health professional might seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. We make sure your experience is simple and seamless from start to finish.
Your first appointment with a mental health provider is key in finding a treatment that meets your specific needs. Think of this visit as your chance to get to know your provider and what they can do to help you. And the more you open up about your concerns and share how your symptoms are affecting your life, the sooner your provider can help you move forward.
Here’s what you can expect during your first online appointment:
Your Provider
There are many different types of providers for mental healthcare, with different styles and areas of expertise. We hire board-certified mental health specialists with years of experience treating ADHD and other mental health conditions.
Our providers can prescribe medication and even help you improve your lifestyle and habits. They can recommend behavioral treatment, stimulant and non-stimulant medication, non-medication therapy, lifestyle changes, and more. We believe in holistic, well-balanced treatment that works for you.
Meeting a new provider online can be a unique experience, but we want you to be at ease. Take a closer look at our providers to start getting familiar.
The Length of Your Initial Evaluation
You can expect a two-part evaluation. First, you will meet for 45 minutes with a licensed mental health therapist. If the therapist makes a diagnosis, you will have a 15-minute follow-up visit with a primary care provider to review your diagnosis.
You can also see one of Ahead’s primary care providers if you have a previous diagnosis and are simply looking for a simpler medication management provider. In that case, you will meet with the provider for 30 minutes to review your diagnosis and treatment plan.
If you opt for care with our psychiatric specialists, you can expect a 50-minute evaluation with the provider you selected.
Preparing for Your First Appointment
We simplify the process of setting up your first appointment so you can focus on getting started with treatment. Here’s what you can do to prepare for your first appointment:
- Have your tech ready. Use a computer or smartphone that can support video calling. A strong wifi connection is highly preferred, but in some cases, a cellular connection may work. Check your connection and audio settings before your scheduled appointment so you won’t have to worry about any technical difficulties during your visit.
- Find a private and quiet space. Find a designated quiet area for your online sessions. This should be a setting that feels comfortable and private. Whether it be your car, home office, or your kitchen, plan to be in a quiet space free from distraction where you have privacy and where you can communicate at a normal volume.
- Show up early. Set up a calendar event or alarm to remind you of your first appointment. Joining at least 10 minutes early will help ensure your appointment starts on time.
- Stay local. Make sure you’re also in the same state where your provider practices. If your state has multiple time zones, double-check your start time.
- Don’t be shy. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider questions. It may help to jot a few notes down before your visit. Our providers are here to listen and dive into how your symptoms are affecting your life.
- Use this checklist to help you stay accountable for your first appointment and future online sessions. Ahead takes care of everything else to ensure a seamless experience, and doing your part helps create a more cooperative and supportive relationship with your provider.
What to Discuss With Your Provider at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment is your chance to set the tone for your new ‘safe space’. Talk to your provider about your concerns, your symptoms, and your preferences. Our providers are here to listen without judgment. You can feel at ease knowing you can talk to them about what you are going through.
Your provider will have a basic understanding of your symptoms from your initial questionnaire. But this evaluation visit will allow them to fill in the gaps to consider a diagnosis and treatment plan for you. They may ask questions about your medical history, psychiatric history, substance use, your occupation, social life, and more. These questions will allow your provider to delve into your current symptoms and personal life to understand the various factors that can affect your condition.
Here are some examples of questions your provider may ask during your first evaluation:
- Does anyone in your family have a history of mental health conditions?
- Do you have a history of substance use problems?
- Have you experienced or currently experience any suicidal or homicidal thoughts? Can you explain what triggered these thoughts?
- What are your current living arrangements like? Do you live alone, with roommates or with a significant other?
- Can you provide examples of your symptoms of inattention, anxiety, or hyperactivity and impulsivity? When do you experience these the most?
- At what moment did you realize that you might have ADHD? What symptoms did you experience then?
Treat this first appointment as your chance to open up and have a real conversation about your symptoms. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. With open communication, you and your provider can build a customized treatment plan that’s right for you.
Building Your Custom-Tailored Treatment Plan
Our providers can assess the complexity of your symptoms, prescribe medication or non-medication therapy, and more. You can expect your provider to talk with you about next steps.
You may or may not need medication for your mental health condition. During your initial evaluation, your provider will discuss options with you. Share what types of treatment you are comfortable with. If you do need medication, you can get them delivered for free straight to your door. Just ask your provider for this option when discussing your treatment plan.
At the end of your visit, your provider will work with you to set up your next appointment. After you confirm a time, your next appointment will show up in your patient portal. You will get an email confirmation along with the option to add the appointment to your online calendar.
We know what we are but not what we may be.
Individual Therapy
Our clinicians are trained in using multiple therapeutic modalities to create the best individualized treatment plan for each patient.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR THERAPISTS
Medication Management
Our providers can help with diagnosing psychiatric conditions and prescribing medications when needed. We focus on both conservative and evidence-based treatment options when making recommendations.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRESCRIBING PROVIDERS
Family Therapy
Many of our providers have a great deal of experience with families in need of treatment. You can learn more about our therapists or inquire with us about which therapists we would recommend for family therapy based on your specific goals.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR THERAPISTS
Group Therapy
We do offer group therapy for teens every Monday night.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATIONMeet the Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry team of therapists
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a therapeutic intervention that provides immediate feedback from a computer-based program that assesses a client’s brainwave activity, giving our therapists a custom brain map to guide you through retraining your brain to optimal function.
LEARN MORE ABOUT NEUROFEEDBACKMeet the Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry team of therapists
Ketamine for depression
You have probably heard of ketamine. Esketamine is a derivative of ketamine that is branded as Spravato, which is now FDA approved to treat treatment resistant depression. Studies have shown that ketamine can also help with suicidal thinking, certain anxiety disorders, PTSD symptoms, certain pain disorders, and tinnitus. Intranasal esketamine works quickly, effectively, and with few known side effects.
COMING SOON
Genetic Testing
In some cases, genetic testing can be helpful. It is not good enough to tell us which medication may be helpful, but it can tell us valuable information about your serotonin transporters, whether a certain supplement (l-methylfolate) may be helpful, how quickly you break down various psychiatric medications, and other helpful information. We currently use Genomind or Genesight which will bill your insurance (but will also often
require you to pay a copay).
Laboratory Studying
We often employ laboratory studies to rule out any organic causes of psychiatric symptoms. Common labs include thyroid studies, Vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B, iron studies, inflammatory labs, and many other labs depending on what is being ruled out and what medications are involved.
Supplements
Depending on what symptoms you are struggling with, we recommend a variety of evidence-based options that can either be used in lieu of, or in addition to, medications to help alleviate your suffering.
Neurohormonal Testing
We have some clients who request neurohormone testing. This testing looks at the neurohormones, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine metabolites that are excreted in urine. While the evidence for this is still in its infancy, some clients feel that this can help determine that certain supplements can be beneficial.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
Medical Marijuana
In some cases, when substance abuse concerns are ruled out, Dr. Danish is an authorized prescriber of medical marijuana. But there are pros and cons to medical marijuana use that need to be considered. For more information on how the state of Pennsylvania handles medical marijuana, please click here.
TMS (coming soon)
TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is one of the strongest treatments for depression in those who have tried multiple medications and not had enough benefit. We are in the process of acquiring a TMS device so we can provide this amazing and life changing treatment option to our clients.
Practice Areas
Medication Management
CBT is a relatively short-term, problem-focused form of therapy. CBT helps patients challenge negative thoughts and modify maladaptive behaviors. It requires active participation by patients and includes exercises to be completed between sessions. Some homework assignments involve pen-and-paper tasks while others are much more experiential and involve trying out new behaviors. Research has shown CBT to be very effective in the treatment of anxiety, mood, and eating disorders, among others.
Medication Management
n addition to offering various types of therapy, our three psychiatrists treat mental health problems with medication when appropriate. Medication treatment is often recommended in conjunction with psychotherapy. The psychiatrists collaborate closely with the therapists in the practice and also work with therapists in the community.
Exposure-Based Therapy
Some Southampton Psychiatric Associates providers also offer a highly specialized form of CBT known as Exposure-Based Therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders such as Phobias, Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Exposure-Based Therapy encompasses a set of techniques designed to eliminate avoidance and to promote alternative strategies for coping with anxiety.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Psycho-therapy focuses on the workings of an individual’s unconscious. It is based on the premise that insight can lead to meaningful changes in behavior and emotions. Clients explore childhood experiences and relationships in order to gain understanding of problematic behavior patterns. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy can be very effective in the treatment of mood disorders and relationship problems
