Frequently asked questions

Harborside Psychiatry is a private, self-pay practice, so insurance is not accepted directly. I will provide the necessary documentation required for the client to submit a claim to their insurance company. Insurance and pharmaceutical companies incentivize doctors to prescribe medication and deter doctors to treat mental health through other means. For example, Medicaid in SC will pay a social worker with 2 years post-graduate training the same rate for therapy as a child psychiatrist with 8 years post-doctorate training. This policy has led to psychiatrists who avoid eye contact to type notes and simply add medication at each visit. This results in the 5-minute appointment and prescribing multiple medications that actually make the patient sicker. Because you are directly paying me, my incentive is to find a treatment that works best for you, not the pharmaceutical or insurance corporations. For example, a child with ADHD has grades that are falling. The easy and time-efficient answer is to increase the patient’s stimulant medication which can cause weight loss, anxiety, and aggression. Talking thoroughly with the child and parents can help determine if the child is being bullied, has depression, or if he or she actually is under-treated for ADHD. I will take the time to talk to the child, the child’s school, and his or her parents. I will also call the pharmacy and arrange prior authorizations if needed. Most insurance companies will not reimburse physicians for this extra amount of time, but I believe is critical in providing executive level care. For more information about how our present healthcare system has failed the American consumer, click here.(javascript:void(0))

How does payment work? • Cash, check, or credit card is accepted at the time of treatment • 45 minute intake or follow-up visit - $300 • 20 minute follow-up visit - $200 Click here f(javascript:void(0))or more information on insurance reimbursement.

The wait time to see a new client is around 2-4 weeks from the point my intake paperwork is completed. To get started please text your first name, last name, date of birth and email address to 843-284-6165. This will allow me to send intake paperwork to your email.

Harborside Psychiatry patients are motivated to gain insight into their situation and are open-minded to experiment with lifestyle changes. Many Harborside patients have tried the traditional route of medication-only therapy without relief of symptoms or conditions. Frustrated, they come to Harborside for a more holistic approach. I do write medications alone for treatment, and believe medication is just one tool in the toolbox. Medication alone is never the only solution. In fact, many Harborside families have been able to lower medication amounts and doses while seeing an increase in their child’s emotional and mental happiness, due to my individual treatment plans and client's willingness to put in the hard work. Harborside Psychiatry is for individuals or families who are looking for a different approach, who want to be valued as the unique individual they are, and who are invested in their own wellness.

Call Harborside Psychiatry or text at (843) 535-6165. During the phone call I will ask some brief questions to see if Harborside Psychiatry will be a good fit for you and your family. I will then email you an invitation to Luminello,(https://luminello.com/security-privacy/) a secure online patient portal. To schedule an appointment, all pre-session information, as well as payment information needs to be filled out in the Luminello portal. This can take between 15-25 minutes. Please give yourself time to fill this out as it will be the basis for beginning our work together. When you’re ready to fill out the pre-session paperwork, make sure you have the names and doses of any current and past medication, names of any past therapists/psychiatrists, a valid debit or credit card (health savings account or other medical debit cards are acceptable*), and any other relevant medical history available. Below are some examples of the forms you will be filling out. Once you’ve completed the pre-session paperwork and included a valid payment method, I will call to schedule your first visit. *To schedule an appointment, there needs to be a valid credit or debit card on file (health savings account or other medical debit cards are acceptable). A preauthorization charge of $300 is required to schedule an appointment. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined