Psychiatric Consultation
Our providers consist of two Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, working under the direction of a collaborating Psychiatrist, who specializes in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment of and recovery from mental illness.
The primary goal of psychiatry is the relief of mental distress and improvement of mental well-being. Medical research has led to treatments for a variety of mental health conditions that have a biological basis and can be positively affected by psychotropic medications.
Appointment Information.
When to Schedule Psychiatric Appointments
If students have an established provider at home that is working well for them, they should continue with the home provider. If students are unable to continue with their home provider and need to switch to a psychiatric provider on campus, they should schedule an initial appointment with CPS to discuss their options. Students may be referred to CPS psychiatry, a Campus Care Physician, or local psychiatric providers depending on the nature of the student's presentation and available services.
Scheduling Psychiatric Appointments
Students must first call and schedule an initial appointment with a counselor. During this appointment, the counselor will assess the student's needs and refer to CPS psychiatry, a Campus Care Physician, or local psychiatric providers depending on the nature of the student's presentation and available services. If referred to CPS psychiatry, the counselor will facilitate scheduling an appointment with the psychiatric provider. Depending on the demand, it may take four to six weeks to see one of the psychiatric providers.
Before Your First Psychiatry Appointment
If you are currently or recently treated by a psychiatric provider or taken psychiatric medications, please have your current provider send medical records to Counseling and Psychological Services by faxing them to 740.593.0091, Attention: Psychiatry. We also encourage you to complete a release of information form for your current/recent provider
First Psychiatry Appointment (Intake Appointment)
The first appointment will be approximately 90 minutes in length. The psychiatric providers will take a complete history of presenting concerns and symptoms.
Assessment may include:
- Review of mental health symptoms
- Psychiatric history including previous treatments, hospitalizations, and medications (please bring a list)
- Review of physical diagnosis and symptoms
- Family psychiatric history
- Substance use history
- Social history
Follow-up Psychiatry Appointments
After the initial evaluation, you and your psychiatric provider will develop a treatment plan, empowering you to participate in your mental well-being.
Treatment plans may include:
- Laboratory testing or psychological testing
- Discussion of medication recommendations
- Scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor response to medication
As long as you remain on psychotropic medication, you will need to attend regular follow-up appointments. Initially, appointments may be every two to three weeks. As symptoms decrease, appointments may be scheduled at 90-day intervals.
You may only be seen by CPS psychiatric providers while enrolled as a student at 91̽»¨. Please keep your provider updated on your enrollment status and projected graduation/transfer date. Our team will work to establish continuity of care with a provider in your community upon leaving the university.
Telehealth Appointments
All intake appointments are conducted in person. Telehealth appointments via Zoom will be at the discretion of the psychiatric provider. You must be within the State of Ohio at the time of your appointment.
Evaluation and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) does not provide formal assessment or diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). CPS Psychiatry providers are also not able to prescribe stimulant medication but can discuss non-stimulant options for ADHD. CPS will provide appropriate referrals for assessment in the community. Students who are on University Health Insurance plans may access services through or find a provider by contacting their insurance plans. Students may seek both individual and group counseling at CPS to support with ADHD symptom management.
Community Options for Psychotropic Evaluation and Medication
Please note that 91̽»¨ Counseling and Psychological Services does not have a contractual relationship with any of these providers. We encourage you to contact your insurance company for additional options and covered providers.
- These services are accessed through an app managed by United Healthcare Student Resources – the insurance offered to OHIO students. Free Counseling, Psychiatry and Primary Care via telehealth is available.
- A multi-state telehealth provider (previously known as PsychBC) – User-friendly website allows for insurance verification and online scheduling. Appointments with Nurse Practitioners and/or Psychiatrists are possible within a week depending on insurance. If attempting to schedule online, enter a zip code of a larger city near you in order to obtain the most options for providers.
/ - Multi-state telehealth provider with an office near Cleveland. They provide an array of mental health services, some of which are specifically offered to college students.
- Based in Cincinnati but provides telehealth services to residents of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Accepts most insurances. Students must complete a brief phone intake and will then be scheduled with a prescriber for psychotropic medication evaluation/management.
- Columbus provider. Accepts United HealthCare Student Resources. Scheduling with Psychiatrist or other prescribers 2-4 weeks. Clinician referrals accepted via the website form.
/ – Offices in Athens (and other counties in Ohio); now accepting some insurances. Anthem, Med Mutual, others. Intake appointment necessary.
- Athens (and other counties in SE Ohio). Intake appointment necessary. Intakes are scheduled on daily basis only. Call as soon as possible after 8:00 am to schedule intake that day.