FAQS About Psychiatric Services & Consultation

Here are some of the most common questions we get from clients. If you don’t see your question answered below, please contact us.

About Our Approach to Care

  • Integrative psychiatry goes beyond traditional medication management to deliver personal, high-value care. We start with evidence-based psychiatric treatment—meaning accurate diagnosis and expert pharmacology—and combine it in tandem with specialized therapy and health coaching. Our focus is on helping you create healthy routines, manage stress, and effective habits that underlie solid mental health for a truly sustainable recovery.

  • We specialize in treating the conditions where our integrated approach yields the best results. This includes acute or chronic psychiatric illness (such as depression and bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, developmental conditions (like ADHD), and chronic difficulties with emotional regulation or interpersonal difficulties. We focus on helping you find relief and then building long-term strategies, ensuring you have the tools and support needed to face life's obstacles successfully.

  • We offer both, as we believe the best outcomes result from integrating these tools. We provide expert medication management alongside specialized therapy services including DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Behavioral Activation, IPSRT, and supportive psychotherapy. The goal is to not only stabilize symptoms but also to equip you with the skills you need for emotional regulation and relationship success, reinforcing our "whole person" approach.

  • We will work together to develop a care plan, which looks different for everyone.

  • We will help you in making this decision through a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and review of benefits and potential risks. You may wish to start with other types of interventions prior to a medication trial. This is a collaborative discernment process.

  • Not a problem. We work collaboratively with many other therapists in the community. If you already have a therapist in place, we encourage and support continuing this relationship.

  • Yes, you can receive therapy from the same person prescribing your medication or you can be referred to our in-practice therapist, or to a trusted community partner, depending on your needs.

About Appointments

  • New patients begin by scheduling an initial phone call with Renee. You may use the Contact Us Link, our Info@psychservicesnc.com email, or by leaving a message at 919-748-4540 with a good call back time.

  • You can do either of the following:

    • Call our office at 919-748-4540 and Renee will help you. 

    • Send a secure message to Renee through our portal.

  • Unlike larger, more fragmented systems where you often get lost in phone trees, our practice is built on responsive support. We prioritize direct access to ensure you feel cared for and secure between appointments. Current patients can call a confidential line or message us through our HIPAA compliant portal and expect a prompt response directly from our dedicated clinical team. This commitment to high-touch care is a key part of the high-value experience we provide.

  • Yes, we offer telehealth appointments for medication management, therapy and health coaching through our secure portal.

  • Yes, we offer in-office appointments for medication management and therapy services in Durham at 20 West Colony Place, Suite 260.

About Insurance & Fees

  • What insurance do you take?

    • We are in-network for the NC State Health Plan through Aetna, as well as other Aetna plans. 

    • We are in-network with the Duke Student Health Insurance Plan

  • You will pay the fees listed below, but we can assist you in filing with your insurance company to receive out-of-network reimbursement.

  • Our fees depend on the type and length of the service you receive. The rates listed below reflect our private-pay pricing. If you are using health insurance for psychiatric or therapy services, your out-of-pocket cost will vary based on your specific plan, copay, or deductible. Please note that Health Coaching is not covered by insurance and is billed at our private-pay rate.

    Private Pay Rates

    • Psychiatric Intake: $350

    • Follow-Up Medication Management with Therapy:
      20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes: $180–$250
      (Appointment length is determined collaboratively based on your needs and goals.)

    • Therapy Intake: $250

    • Follow-Up Therapy Appointments:
      30 minutes (skills coaching), 45 minutes, or 60 minutes: $130–$190

    • Physician Phone Calls or Documentation Outside Appointments:
      $50 per >15-minute increment

    Health Coaching

    • 60-minute initial visit: $110

    If you have questions about insurance coverage, your specific financial responsibility, or how your benefits apply, we are happy to help you navigate that process.

  • As a practice focused on delivering personal, high-value care with direct access and responsive support, we operate on a fee-for-service model. This allows us to provide the level of unhurried, comprehensive, and tailored attention that often isn't possible under restricted insurance models. Full payment is expected at time of service if you are paying out-of-pocket. If you have an insurance plan that we are in network with, your co-pay is expected at time of service. We accept credit cards. If PSC is not in-network with your insurance, you may still file an insurance claim after a visit. We can assist you with this.

About Duke Students

  • Based on your current clinical circumstances as summer approaches, we will provide enough medications to last through the summer. If you may need support while you are living outside of NC, we will help to arrange that as spring semester comes to a close.

  • We try to make sure that you have all your refills prior to traveling home for the summer or winter break. Most states will allow a one-time prescription to be filled when written by an out-of-state physician if it is not a controlled substance. If an emergency situation occurs, we will help you navigate this so that you do not run out of medications.

  • We encourage the first appointment to be in-person. At that time we can determine if in-person or telehealth will best meet your needs. We recognize that transportation and time-management can be a barrier to care, and will take this into account. We also recognize that the semester advances quickly. When you are first establishing care, more frequent appointments can best ensure that you do not have any interruption in your academic trajectory.

  • Yes, you can continue with PSC as long as you are still living in North Carolina. Your Duke Student Health Insurance will continue to cover you until July 31 for a spring graduation. After this you can determine if you are covered with your new insurance or would like to continue as an out-of-network patient.

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