Psychiatric Evaluation in New Jersey
What is a psychiatric evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is a first appointment in which a psychiatrist reviews your mental health history, current symptoms, medical background, and daily functioning, and discusses a treatment plan with you. It is the starting point for deciding whether medication, psychotherapy, follow-up care, or a referral is appropriate. It is not a guarantee of a particular diagnosis or treatment.
What it covers
• Current concerns and symptoms, and how they affect work, study, relationships, and daily life.
• Past mental health care, including prior diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations, if any.
• Medical history, current medications, and relevant family history.
• Safety, sleep, appetite, mood, anxiety, focus, and substance use, as clinically relevant.
• Goals for treatment and what you hope to change.
How a virtual evaluation works
Request an appointment by calling or texting (732) 347-6610, emailing hp@centraljerseymentalhealth.com, or using the consultation request form on this site.
Your virtual visit takes place using Tebra Telehealth, from a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone. Follow the personalized text or email instructions you receive.
The initial evaluation is listed as 30-45 minutes.
After the evaluation, Dr. Patel discusses findings and a proposed plan, including whether follow-up, medication management, psychotherapy, or other care is recommended.
What to expect
A longer, unhurried discussion: the practice’s stated approach is longer visits, discussion of patient and family concerns, comprehensive treatment planning, and availability for urgent needs and timely follow-up.
A private-pay visit: the practice does not accept insurance at this time. You receive a detailed invoice for each visit that you may submit to your insurer, consistent with your plan benefits.
No walk-in or in-person option: appointments are virtual only, for patients in New Jersey, by appointment.
Conditions commonly evaluated
Based on the practice’s Services page: depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, PTSD, dementia-related psychiatric concerns, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual developmental disability (co-occurring psychiatric conditions and behaviors), and other conditions such as OCD, insomnia, schizophrenia, and addiction, as listed on that page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be in New Jersey? Yes — virtual visits are for patients in New Jersey, by appointment.
How long is the first visit? The initial psychiatric evaluation is listed as 30-45 minutes.
Do you accept insurance? No, not at this time. Services are private pay, and a detailed invoice is provided for each visit.
Will my insurance reimburse me? That depends on your plan. Reimbursement is never promised.
What do I need for a virtual visit? A device with a camera and microphone, and a private space for the visit. Tebra Telehealth instructions are linked from the Virtual Visits page.
Is this an emergency service? No — if you are in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States, or call 911 in an emergency.
Call to action
Request a virtual psychiatric evaluation in New Jersey: call or text (732) 347-6610, email hp@centraljerseymentalhealth.com, or use the consultation request form.