Psychiatric Evaluation by Telehealth in Massachusetts
A full first visit by secure video, so the diagnosis and the plan rest on your whole story.
Questions first? Call 617-858-8276. Booking and intake run through our secure, HIPAA-compliant patient portal.
Clinically reviewed by Joseph Lavoie, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC · Last reviewed
The short answer
A psychiatric evaluation is a longer first visit where a trained clinician asks about your symptoms, history, health and goals, then explains what may be going on and what to do next. At Journey Psychiatric Care, your psychiatric evaluation happens by telehealth anywhere in Massachusetts, with Joseph Lavoie, PMHNP-BC.
What a psychiatric evaluation is for
Most people book an evaluation because something has been off for a while. Sleep is bad, worry won’t stop, focus is gone, or a low mood has settled in and stayed. Maybe your primary care provider suggested a specialist. Maybe the medication you take was started years ago and nobody has looked at it closely since.
The evaluation is how care starts. Joseph is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. He is not a psychiatrist or a physician, and he is licensed to diagnose and prescribe in Massachusetts. He uses the first visit to understand the full picture before he names a diagnosis or suggests treatment, because a prescription is one tool, not the whole plan.
You also see the same clinician afterward, so nothing gets lost in a hand-off. The person who hears your history is the person who follows up with you.
What the evaluation covers
Your symptoms now
What you feel, when it started, how often it happens and how much it gets in the way of work, school, sleep or relationships.
Your history
Past diagnoses, treatment you have tried, medications that helped or didn’t, and mental health conditions in your family.
Your health and habits
Medical conditions, current medications and supplements, sleep, alcohol, cannabis and other substances. Honest answers lead to safer choices.
Safety questions
Questions about thoughts of self-harm or suicide are part of every evaluation. They are routine, and your answers help keep you safe.
Your goals
What you want to be different. Some people want medication, some want to avoid it, and some are not sure yet. All of those are fine.
Next steps
A working diagnosis when there is enough information, your treatment options, and a follow-up plan you agree with.
What happens after your evaluation
By the end of the visit you should know what Joseph thinks is going on, how sure he is, and what the options are. Sometimes the answer is clear in one visit. Sometimes it takes a follow-up, a questionnaire, or records from a past provider before a diagnosis makes sense. He will tell you which situation you are in.
Treatment can include medication management, psychotherapy, both, or a referral when another kind of care fits better. If a medication is suggested, you will hear what it is for, how long it usually takes to work, the common side effects and what else you could try instead. You make the decision.
If something needs an in-person exam or lab work, Joseph will say so and help you arrange it close to home. With your permission, he can also share results with your primary care provider or therapist.
Want a step-by-step look at the visit itself? Read what happens at a psychiatric evaluation. Curious how a nurse practitioner compares with a psychiatrist? See PMHNP vs. psychiatrist.
How to get started
- Check your coverage. Journey Psychiatric Care is in-network with 7 Massachusetts insurers. See the plan list.
- Book online. Pick a time for your new-patient evaluation through the secure booking page.
- Fill out intake forms. Forms go through the HIPAA-compliant patient portal before your visit. This website never asks for clinical details.
- Join by video. Use a phone, tablet or computer from a private spot. You need to be in Massachusetts during the visit.
- Leave with a plan. You know what comes next, when your follow-up is, and how to reach the practice in between.
Common reasons people book
New patients
Have your insurance card, a list of current medications and doses, and the name of any past prescriber ready. The new-patient page walks through the rest, including what to know when the patient is under 18.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a psychiatric evaluation take?
The first visit typically runs about an hour, longer than a regular follow-up, because there is more to cover. Plan to be somewhere private and unhurried for the whole visit.
Can I get a psychiatric evaluation online in Massachusetts?
Yes. Journey Psychiatric Care does every evaluation by secure video. You need to be physically in Massachusetts at the time of the visit, with a device that has a camera and a steady internet connection.
Will I get a diagnosis at the first visit?
Often you will leave with a working diagnosis. Some conditions, like bipolar disorder or adult ADHD, can take more history or a second visit to sort out. Joseph will tell you what he thinks and how confident he is, rather than rushing a label.
Will I be prescribed medication?
Not automatically. Medication comes up when it is likely to help, and you decide whether to try it. Therapy alone, or no change to what you take now, are real options too.
Is an evaluation with a nurse practitioner the same as seeing a psychiatrist?
Joseph is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, not a psychiatrist. PMHNPs are trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat mental health conditions, and they can prescribe in Massachusetts. Read the full comparison.
Does insurance cover a psychiatric evaluation?
Most commercial plans cover it as an outpatient mental health benefit. Journey Psychiatric Care is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Aetna, Cigna and Evernorth, Oscar Health, Oxford, Point32Health and UnitedHealthcare (UHC/UBH). Check your benefits on the insurance page before your visit.
Do I need a referral?
Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care provider for specialist mental health care, and many do not. Call the member services number on your card to check. You can also call the practice at 617-858-8276 with questions.
Take the next step in your journey.
Same clinician every visit. Telehealth anywhere in Massachusetts.
Book a VisitNot sure where to start? Answer 4 quick questions