Frequently Asked Questions

We treat a wide range of mental health conditions including:

• Depression (including treatment-resistant depression)
• Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Eating disorders
• Sleep disorders

Yes, we accept most major insurance plans including:

• Medicare
• Optum Healthcare
• Aetna CVS Health
• Carelon Behavioral Health
• Cigna Healthcare
• Many other major insurance providers

Please call our office to verify coverage for your specific plan. We also offer self-pay options for patients without insurance coverage.

You can schedule an appointment in several ways:

• Online: Use our online patient intake system for new patients
• Phone: Call us at 813.636.8300 during business hours
• Patient Portal: Existing patients can schedule through our secure patient portal

New patients should allow extra time for their initial evaluation appointment, which typically takes 60-90 minutes.

Please bring the following to your first appointment:

• Valid photo identification (driver's license or state ID)
• Insurance card(s)
• List of current medications (including dosages)
• Previous psychiatric records or treatment history (if available)
• List of questions or concerns you'd like to discuss
• Completed intake forms (if not done online)

Having this information ready will help ensure your appointment goes smoothly and efficiently.

IV ketamine therapy is a breakthrough treatment for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Ketamine works differently than traditional antidepressants by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which triggers the growth of new neural connections and can provide rapid relief from symptoms.

The treatment is administered intravenously in a controlled medical setting under the supervision of our board-certified psychiatrists. Many patients experience improvement within hours or days, rather than the weeks or months typically required with traditional medications.

Our V.I.P IV ketamine infusions start at $150 per session. The total cost will depend on your individual treatment plan, which typically includes an initial series of 6-8 treatments followed by maintenance sessions as needed.

While ketamine therapy is often not covered by insurance, we offer:

• Detailed receipts for potential insurance reimbursement
• HSA and FSA payment options
• Flexible payment plans for qualifying patients
• Package deals for treatment series

Each IV ketamine session typically takes about 45-60 minutes total, including:

• Preparation and vital sign monitoring: 5-10 minutes
• IV ketamine infusion: 40 minutes
• Post-treatment observation: 15-30 minutes

You'll need someone to drive you home after treatment, as the medication can cause temporary drowsiness or dizziness. Most patients can return to normal activities the following day.

Most patients benefit from an initial series of 6-8 treatments over 2-3 weeks. The typical schedule includes:

• Week 1-2: 2-3 treatments per week
• Week 3-4: 1-2 treatments per week
• Maintenance: Monthly or as-needed treatments

Your psychiatrist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your response to therapy and individual needs. Some patients may need more or fewer treatments depending on their condition and response.

Yes, ketamine therapy is very safe when administered in a proper medical setting. Ketamine has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years, originally as an anesthetic. Our safety measures include:

• Board-certified psychiatrist supervision
• Continuous vital sign monitoring
• Trained medical staff present throughout treatment
• Emergency protocols and equipment available
• Comfortable, private treatment rooms

Side effects are typically mild and temporary, including slight nausea, dizziness, or dissociative effects during treatment. Serious adverse events are extremely rare when ketamine is administered properly.

The timeline varies depending on the type of medication and individual factors:

• Antidepressants: 4-6 weeks for full effect, though some improvement may be seen in 2-3 weeks
• Anti-anxiety medications: Can work within hours (benzodiazepines) or weeks (SSRIs for anxiety)
• Mood stabilizers: 2-4 weeks for initial effects, up to 3 months for full stabilization
• Sleep medications: Usually work within 30-60 minutes

It's important to continue taking medications as prescribed even if you don't feel immediate effects. Your psychiatrist will monitor your progress and adjust medications as needed.

Side effects are common when starting new medications, but they often improve over time. Here's what to do:

• Mild side effects: Contact our office to discuss. Many side effects are temporary and improve within 1-2 weeks
• Bothersome side effects: Don't stop medication abruptly. Call us to discuss dose adjustments or alternative medications
• Severe side effects: Contact our office immediately or seek emergency care if needed

We work closely with patients to find the right medication with the fewest side effects. Sometimes it takes trying different medications or doses to find what works best for you.

Follow-up appointment frequency depends on your treatment phase and stability:

• Starting new medication: Every 1-2 weeks initially to monitor response and side effects
• Adjusting medication: Every 2-4 weeks until optimal dose is found
• Stable on medication: Every 1-3 months for ongoing monitoring
• Crisis or acute symptoms: Weekly or more frequent as needed

Regular follow-ups ensure your treatment remains effective and safe. We also encourage patients to contact us between appointments if concerns arise.

Our office hours are:

• Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (limited appointments)
• Sunday: Closed

We offer early morning and evening appointments when available to accommodate working patients. For emergencies outside office hours, please call our main number for instructions on reaching our on-call provider.

Yes, we offer secure telehealth appointments for established patients when appropriate. Telehealth is suitable for:

• Medication management follow-ups
• Check-in appointments
• Consultations when travel is difficult
• Follow-up care during illness or quarantine

Initial evaluations and certain treatments (like IV ketamine) must be conducted in person. Our telehealth platform is secure and HIPAA-compliant to protect your privacy.

We require 24-hour advance notice for appointment cancellations. Our policy includes:

• 24+ hours notice: No charge for cancellation or rescheduling
• Less than 24 hours: May be subject to a cancellation fee
• No-shows: Full appointment fee may be charged
• Emergency situations: Fees may be waived at provider discretion

This policy helps us serve all patients effectively and ensures appointment availability. Please call as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule.