A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is a master’s degree-prepared nurse who has extensive education on mental health disorders, diagnosis, and treatment. PMHNPs perform psychiatric evaluations and provide medication management and psychotherapy. To practice, one must achieve board certification by passing a comprehensive exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  

Self-pay fees are as follows, and apply to those using OON benefits, as well as those who are paying out-of-pocket with no expectation of reimbursement:

• Initial Psychiatric Evaluation (60-90 minutes): $250
• Follow-Up/Medication Management (30 minutes) $150
• Follow-Up/Medication Management (20 minutes) $110

As a primarily telehealth practice, we conduct most of our appointments via Doxy Me. However, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) enforces certain regulations regarding the prescription of controlled medications (such as ADHD stimulants and some infrequently prescribed anxiety and sleep medications) and the requirement for in-person consultations. The recent public health emergency (PHE) waived these rules and extended them until December 31st, 2024. That said, we are starting to get patients in for in-person visits in our Houston location so that we can be compliant once the time comes; however, the newly published extension does give us a bit more time to get everyone in. We will update this section once we understand the new rules, specifically the required frequency of in-person visits beyond December 2024.

After the psychiatric evaluation, we will determine the best approach for you to use to treat the symptoms you are experiencing. If you have a history of cardiac conditions, you may be required to obtain an EKG and clearance letter from your primary care doctor or cardiologist. Before deciding if a stimulant is right for you, you may need to obtain additional screenings and information.

If you have lost your medication, you should file a police report and inform us, as well as the pharmacy, that you have lost your medication. We won’t fill controlled medications before their expiration date. To prevent the loss of your medications, you should keep them in a secured location, out of reach of children, and never travel with more medication than you need forthe duration of your trip.

After the psychiatric evaluation, we will determine the best approach for you. Benzodiazepines are indicated in some instances, but they are not intended for long-term use, and rarely are they first-line treatments. There are many options for the management of most disorders, and I respectfully ask that you understand that my practice is to limit the use of benzodiazepines.

We may not start medications during the first visit. We can either monitor your symptoms closely and adjust accordingly, or we can choose a suitable medication after a thorough assessment.

There is no fixed answer to how long you will need medication. It varies from person to person and depends on your diagnosis, your response to treatment, and your goals. Your provider will explain the scientific evidence and recommendations, but they will also respect your preferences and decisions.

We will go over the possible side effects of your medication at your session. Most of them are mild and temporary, but we will tell you how to deal with them and when to seek help. You can always message us if you have any questions or worries, and we will get back to you within 48 hours. However, if you experience any severe or urgent side effects, please go to the nearest ER immediately.

We take your safety very seriously. We like to see you every 2 weeks while we are adjusting your medications. Once everything is stable and you are doing well, we spread those appointments out every 3 months.

We see patients starting around age 12 and all through adulthood.

Mentia Health and Wellness LLC does not provide full-modal psychotherapy. Short periods of solution-based therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy are often utilized. These can help you gain an understanding of why you do the things you do. We will provide you with referrals for a talk therapist who, hopefully, fits your therapy needs.