TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY
We firmly believe that integrated care is the cornerstone to quality health care. This means that
mental health providers, patients/families, and other health professionals should work together in
order to provide the best possible care. That being said, we will always discuss this coordination
with you in developing your treatment plan, and you will always be in charge of deciding who
is to be involved.
SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT
In order to schedule an initial appointment, please email admin@mhi-nb.com or call (949) 891-0307.
We strive to be accessible and return all calls and emails as quickly as possible. Download the new patient forms for either 'Psychiatrists forms' (if scheduling with a psychiatrist) or 'Therapists forms' (if scheduling with a non-psychiatrist). You should
complete them and bring them with you to the initial appointment. If you have any problems
downloading or printing the forms, please contact us and we will figure out an alternative way to
get them to you.
THE INITIAL APPOINTMENT
Please be on time for your initial appointment. Our office suite uses a call light system. To let your
provider know that you have arrived, please push the call light next to your provider's nameplate.
Your provider will then greet you in the lobby at your appointment time. Although the initial session
(i.e., 90 minutes for psychiatrists & 50 minutes for psychologists/therapists) is generally sufficient to
complete the evaluation, it is sometimes necessary for an evaluation to take part over several weeks.
This is determined on an individual basis and discussed during this initial session. It is important that
we complete the evaluation prior to beginning treatment. This helps to ensure safe practices and allows for collection of supplemental information (i.e., contacting previous mental health providers
or collateral sources, obtaining labs, etc.) when necessary. If you have past medical or mental health
records, including copies of previous laboratory results or other test results, please bring them to the
first visit. It is also important to have contact information for your previous mental health providers
and other physicians so that we can obtain collateral information, if needed.
MEDICATION POLICY
When medications are used, prescriptions are generally written to last until the next scheduled
appointment. Thus, over-the-phone refills are rarely necessary. This policy is important in order
to minimize medications errors and to maximize patient safety. If an appointment must be rescheduled or canceled, we will make every effort to reschedule it in a timely manner and also
provide enough medications to last until that next appointment.
INSURANCE
All of our providers are private mental health clinicians and do not participate in any insurance networks.
Thus, all fees are collected at the time of service as an out-of-pocket expense to the patient.
Reimbursement from insurance companies can be pursued by the patient directly with his/her respective
insurance provider. If needed, our providers can provide you with a receipt (often referred to as a
Super Bill) that you can submit directly to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
PROFESSIONAL FEES FOR PSYCHIATRISTS:
(*Click here for individual provider rates.)
Initial 90-minute consultation = $800-950
50-minute follow-up sessions (therapy sessions +/- medication management) = $425‑500
25-minute follow-up sessions (generally medication management only) = $275‑300
PROFESSIONAL FEES FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS & THERAPISTS:
(*Click here for individual provider rates.)
45-minute sessions with psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D) = $250
45-minute sessions with master's level therapist (M.F.T. or L.C.S.W.) = $200
PROFESSIONAL FEES FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING SERVICES:
(*
Click here for individual service rates.)
Full Psychological Testing = $5,000
Targeted Psychological Testing = $250 per hour
Conner's CPT3 = $125 per testing session
Conner's CATA = $125 per testing session
Conner's K-CPT2 = $125 per testing session
Conner's CPT3 + CATA = $200 per testing session
CANCELLATION AND NO-SHOW POLICIES
Payments are due at the time of each visit. This is important because a time slot is reserved for each
appointment. Cancellations should always be made at least 48 business hours (or 2 business days)
prior to an appointment time. Business hours are considered weekdays and exclude holidays.
Cancellations made less than 48 business hours ahead of time and no shows are charged the full
session fee.
MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS
Treatment records are kept in accordance with legal and professional standards. Mind Health Institute,
Newport Beach currently uses a medical record system called Practice Fusion. We will always keep
your records private. However, as with all electronic systems, there are factors that are sometimes
outside of our control. We will always strive to ensure your information is kept confidential and compliant
with HIPPA regulations. As such, we reserve the right to change electronic health record systems,
if necessary, based on these principals.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of appropriate mental health care, and is also protected by the law.
Thus, we generally can only release information about our work with written permission. Several
exceptions do exist. For example, insurance companies generally require some basic information if
you choose to seek reimbursement. Electronic Health Records are also third parties that are subject
to similar confidentiality standards. Additionally, there are several instances in which mental health
professionals are required by law to report or take action: (a) Making provisions for your safety if there
is a threat of imminent harm to yourself, (b) Taking protective actions (including notifying potential
victims or police) if there is a threat of serious bodily harm to others, (c) Reporting potential child, elder,
or dependent abuse, (d) Legal testimony if subpoenaed/ordered by a court, and (e) Assisting in
accessing services if a patient is unable to meet their basic needs (including food, clothing,
and/or shelter) due to a mental illness. Please note that these exceptions are rare and it is our goal to
always maintain strict confidentiality.
ELECTRONIC MAIL POLICY
Email is not a confidential means of communication. As such, clinical information should not be sent
via this form of communication. This includes any information pertaining to diagnosis, medications,
therapy, etc. As a convenience to you, our providers and staff are willing to send basic information
and also schedule appointments via email. However, as stated, we are careful about engaging in any
clinical discourse via email. This information should be addressed during scheduled appointments,
and over the phone if urgent. By providing us your email address on the patient information form,
you are agreeing that email is an acceptable form of communication for you despite its limitations
with respect to confidentiality.