Frequently Asked Questions

My practice utilizes Functional and Integrative Medicine along with Traditional Psychiatry to optimize patients progress and outcomes. Functional Psychiatry treats root causes and underlying triggers of mental illness, not just psychiatric symptoms. It implements evidence-based practices to assess key biomarkers, biochemical imbalances, inflammation, and infections that may cause or contribute to mental illness.

In addition, Functional Psychiatry incorporates nutritional and metabolic interventions to restore mental and physical health and well-being.  

Integrative psychiatry is an approach to mental health care that combines traditional psychiatric treatment methods with complementary and alternative therapies. It emphasizes treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—while integrating evidence-based practices from conventional psychiatry with holistic approaches such as nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and supplements.

At Brain Garden Psychiatry, we believe in moving beyond symptom management and addressing the root causes of mental health conditions and promoting overall well-being through integrative psychiatry. This approach allows us to tailor treatment plans to each individual's unique needs, incorporating a variety of modalities to support mental health and emotional balance.

There are significant similarities between psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Both are highly-trained mental health experts who are qualified to:

• Assess and diagnose mental health disorders
• Create and monitor treatment plans
• Offer psychotherapy
• Prescribe medication
• Collaborate with therapists, physicians  and other clinicians if appropriate for a patient’s needs
• Refer patients out to other types of providers (like therapists) 

Both psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners undergo training to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental and behavioral health conditions, including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Dissociative disorders
• Eating disorders
• Mood disorders eg: Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Personality disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Sleep disorders
• Substance use disorders

Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners are both highly trained medical providers who are qualified to prescribe medication and provide psychotherapy.

• The primary difference between psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners is their education. Training typically takes 12 years for psychiatrists and  7 years for psychiatric nurse practitioners.
• Due to an increased demand for mental health services and a shortage of psychiatrists, more and more patients are working with psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNP). 

I am a Nurse Practitioner that is Dual Board Certified by ANCC in Family Medicine and Psychiatry.  I have over 20 years of experience as a nurse and over 10 as a nurse practitioner in Primary Care, Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry. My education consists of a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (RN) and two Master's Degrees  (MSN) (Family Medicine and Psychiatry/Mental Health) consisting of  over 10 years of education.

I have extensive training in Integrative and Functional Medicine and continue to engage in ongoing continue education in Psychiatry, Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Autism Therapies, Psychotherapy and Psychedelic Medicine. 

Yes, coordinating care with your primary care physician and other providers is a fundamental aspect of my practice. Collaboration ensures comprehensive and integrated treatment, addressing your mental health within the broader context of your overall well-being. I believe in a team approach to healthcare and will work closely with your other healthcare providers to ensure we are all aligned in supporting your best interests.

Yes, absolutely. You are welcome to continue seeing your current therapist. My role can complement your existing therapy by providing specialized services such as medication management and integrative psychiatry. Additionally, if you prefer, we can incorporate supportive therapy into our sessions to address specific aspects of your care, such as lifestyle changes, that may differ from what you're focusing on with your primary therapist. I also offer the option to coordinate closely with your therapist to ensure we are aligned in supporting your overall well-being and treatment goals.

No, I do not accept insurance. I operate on a fee-for-service basis, which allows me the flexibility to dedicate more time to each patient, provide personalized care, and offer comprehensive services beyond medication management without the constraints imposed by insurance companies. While I have opted out of working directly with insurance providers, many health insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits that may cover part or all of the cost of my services.

I provide superbills for all visits, which you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Additionally, I work with Reimbursify, a service that helps verify your out-of-network benefits and streamline the reimbursement process. For added convenience, I can also assist in submitting these claims on your behalf, saving you time and effort.

Yes, I accept HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards with the VISA or Mastercard logo. Using your HSA or FSA card with me is straightforward—it functions just like a credit or debit card for payment of services rendered. This offers you the convenience and flexibility to use your healthcare funds for your psychiatric care with ease.

No, Brain Garden Psychiatry does not offer a sliding fee scale. I believe in maintaining fairness and transparency in pricing for all patients. However, I do offer a 10% discount on professional fees for Firefighters, Police, Paramedics, EMTs, Military personnel, and Teachers (K-12). It's a token of appreciation for their dedicated service to our community.

No, I do not offer a free consultation. The scope of my services and my patient care philosophy is outlined on my website. If there are any further questions you have prior to scheduling your initial appointment, please email me at info@braingardenpsychiatry.com

I primarily see patients via telemedicine. For  patients requiring neuropsychiatric evaluations, I offer in-person appointments one day a week in Roseville. Initial Psychiatric Evaluations and Follow-up visits can also be scheduled in person in Roseville, depending on availability.

The frequency of follow-up appointments varies based on individual needs and treatment progress. When initiating a new medication, I typically schedule a 25-minute follow-up appointment at two weeks to assess its effectiveness and address any initial concerns. Subsequent visits of 45 mins are then scheduled every 2-4 weeks as needed, depending on the patient's specific response and circumstances. Once stabilized, most patients transition to monthly 45 minute follow-up appointments to monitor ongoing progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.

If you need to reach me between appointments, I can be contacted during office hours via our office phone number or email at info@braingardenpsychiatry.com. For medical or psychiatric emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

I generally handle prescription refills during regularly scheduled appointments to ensure comprehensive and personalized care. I do not refill prescriptions after hours, on weekends, or holidays. It's important to maintain regular appointments to discuss your ongoing medication needs and any adjustments necessary for your treatment plan.

In general, I do not prescribe controlled substances in my practice, although there are occasional exceptions. Patients prescribed controlled medications will need to sign a controlled substances contract and may be subject to random urine toxicology screenings.

When treating ADHD, I do not prescribe stimulant medications. Instead, I utilize evidence-based non-stimulant medications, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), coaching, and lifestyle modifications. If you require stimulant medication for ADHD treatment, I can provide you with a referral to a provider who specializes in this area.

Yes, I treat Substance Use Disorders "SUD" (Alcohol Use Disorder, Stimulant Use Disorder, Opioid Use Disorder, and Poly-substance Use Disorder) using a comprehensive approach that includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), psychotherapy, and addressing any co-morbid psychiatric illnesses. However, I do not utilize controlled MAT medications such as Buprenorphine or Methadone. Instead, I employ medications like Naltrexone and Vivitrol (monthly injection of Naltrexone), Campral (Acamprosate) as well as other pharmaceutical medications and non-pharmaceuricals. 

My treatment approach is personalized, integrating various modalities such as psychotherapy, lifestyle coaching, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and integrative medicine and psychiatry. This holistic approach is evidence-based and aims to address the multiple facets of substance use disorders.

I specialize in treating adults ages 18 and older. While I do not treat children or adolescents, I have a special interest and training in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a mother of two children with ASD, I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges of parenting and the special education system.

I offer consulting services to parents related to their child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and navigating the special education system in California. This includes helping parents understand their rights, advocating effectively within the school system, and accessing services through Regional Center for special needs children.

Having 'walked the path' both as a parent and clinician, I understand the importance of asking the right questions and advocating for your child's needs. I am here to provide support, guidance, and empower parents with the knowledge to best advocate for their child.

I do not currently offer Ketamine therapy directly in my practice. However, I am affiliated with Propel Therapeutics in Sacramento, where IV Ketamine therapy is available under the guidance of a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Sofia Peeva, and board-certified  Psychiatrist, Dr. Christopher Fischer. Propel Therapeutics also offers Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Sacramento, California. 

Ketamine has shown to be an highly effective evidence-based treatment for Depression, PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, and Suicidality. If you are interested in exploring Ketamine therapy, I can provide you with more information about Propel Therapeutics and help facilitate a referral. You can also visit Propel Therapeutics online at https://www.propeltherapeutics.com/