Frequently Asked Questions

Fill out the form on my Contact page or email me at office@montereybaypsychiatry.com. Tell me a bit about who needs care and what's bringing you in, and I'll respond within one business day to talk through next steps and scheduling.

Yes. I currently have a few openings for new patients. To get started, fill out the form on my Contact page and I'll reach out personally to talk through next steps and scheduling.

I see patients ages 5 to 85. I'm dual-certified in both pediatric and psychiatric nursing, which means I bring specialized expertise across the lifespan — from young children through older adults.

Both. I offer in-person appointments in Carmel, CA and telehealth for patients throughout all of California. Many patients choose telehealth for follow-ups and come in person for their initial evaluation — though telehealth is available for every appointment type.

Yes. I'm in-network with United Healthcare (UHC), Meritain Health, and Optum (Behavioral Health). If you have one of these plans, I bill your insurance directly and you're responsible only for your copay or coinsurance. For all other plans I'm out-of-network, and self-pay rates apply.

If your plan isn't one I'm in-network with (United Healthcare, Meritain Health, or Optum), I provide detailed superbills (itemized receipts with diagnosis and procedure codes) on request. If you have a PPO plan, you may be able to submit your superbill to your insurer for partial reimbursement for out-of-network psychiatric care. Contact your insurance company directly to ask about your out-of-network benefits before your first appointment.

Psychiatric Evaluation: $350 | ADHD Evaluation: $750–$1,000 | 60-minute Follow-up: $325 | 30-minute Follow-up: $225 | Brief Follow-up: $175. All fees are due at the time of service. See my Services & Pricing page for full details.

I ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and no-shows are subject to a fee. Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you — if something needs to change, please let me know as early as you can.

Yes — ADHD evaluation and treatment is one of my core specialties. I offer comprehensive ADHD evaluations for children, teens, and adults. The evaluation includes a clinical interview, validated rating scales, developmental and medical history review, and a diagnostic assessment. ADHD evaluations are 2–3 hours and are priced at $750–$1,000.

No referral is required. You can contact me directly to schedule. Some schools and employers have specific documentation requirements — if you need a particular format of report, let me know when you reach out so we can talk through what I can provide.

Yes. I hold an active DEA registration and am licensed to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances, including the stimulant medications used in ADHD treatment (such as Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin). Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy.

Yes — for patients under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present for all appointments. For initial evaluations especially, parental input is critical to a thorough assessment. For older teens, I may also include time to speak with your teen privately, with your consent.

I see children as young as age 5. My dual certification in pediatric nursing gives me specialized expertise in evaluating and treating psychiatric conditions in young children — including early-onset ADHD, anxiety, and behavioral challenges.

I can provide documentation of diagnoses and treatment that may be relevant to school-based support plans. I don't typically attend IEP meetings directly, but I'm glad to communicate with school teams by phone or letter with your written consent.

Prescriptions are sent electronically (e-prescribe) directly to your preferred pharmacy. For controlled substances like stimulants, I'm required to send prescriptions electronically under California law — no paper prescriptions for Schedule II medications.

In most cases, yes — with appropriate medical history and a completed initial evaluation. I won't refill controlled substances without doing my own evaluation first. Please bring a list of your current medications to your first appointment, and have your previous provider send records if possible.