--- title: "Psychiatric Evaluation in Austin, TX | CARMAhealth" description: "Thorough psychiatric evaluations by board-certified practitioners in Austin, TX. Personalized diagnosis and treatment plans. Book your visit today." canonical: https://carmahealth.com/services/psychiatric-evaluation source: https://carmahealth.com/services/psychiatric-evaluation mirror_of: carmahealth.com content_hash: sha256:feedff8e846a130e6af5ba13e7494dfcd0422609c8e5c7565eacac83d01119fe generated_at: 2026-07-08T23:20:17.555Z robots: noindex, follow --- Psychiatric Evaluation # A Psychiatric Evaluation Built Around You More than a questionnaire. A board-certified practitioner takes the time to understand your symptoms, history, and goals, building a treatment plan that fits your life. [Schedule Your Evaluation](/new-patients) [Check Insurance Coverage](/insurance) (image: Man relaxing with a cup of tea by a sunlit window) What Is a Psychiatric Evaluation? ## More Than a Diagnosis A psychiatric evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a medical practitioner. It covers your full mental and physical health picture: current symptoms, medical history, family history, medications, lifestyle, and personal goals. Your practitioner uses clinical tools like the Mental Status Examination and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria to develop an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan designed for you. That plan may include medication, advanced therapies like TMS, Spravato, or ketamine, referrals for talk therapy, or a combination. Your First Visit ## What to Expect at Your Evaluation 1 ### Prepare for Your Visit Complete your intake paperwork through our online portal. Gather a list of current medications, relevant medical records, and any questions you'd like to discuss with your practitioner. 2 ### Meet with Your Practitioner Your evaluation typically lasts 60 minutes. Your practitioner will review your history, discuss your symptoms, conduct a thorough assessment, and get to know what matters most to you. 3 ### Receive Your Diagnosis Your practitioner will explain their clinical findings, discuss potential diagnoses, and answer your questions. You'll leave with a clear understanding of where you stand. 4 ### Start Your Treatment Plan Together, you and your practitioner will build a personalized plan. This may include medication, TMS therapy, Spravato, ketamine therapy, [telehealth](/services/telehealth) follow-ups, or a combination of approaches. The Treatment Gap ## Why a Psychiatric Evaluation Matters According to the [National Institute of Mental Health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness), 59.3 million adults in the United States lived with a mental illness in 2022. Nearly half of them did not receive any treatment. A psychiatric evaluation is the critical first step toward closing that gap. At CARMAhealth, your evaluation can lead to a diagnosis and treatment plan for conditions including [depression](/conditions/depression), [anxiety disorders](/conditions/anxiety), [ADHD](/conditions/adhd), bipolar disorder, [PTSD](/conditions/ptsd), [substance use disorders](/conditions/substance-use-disorder), OCD, panic disorder, and insomnia. For patients who haven't responded to traditional medication, the evaluation also opens the door to [ongoing medication management](/services/medication-management), advanced treatments like [TMS therapy](/services/tms-therapy), [Spravato](/services/spravato), and [ketamine therapy](/services/ketamine-therapy). The [American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5-TR](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/about-dsm) provides the diagnostic framework our practitioners use to ensure accurate, evidence-based diagnoses. Every evaluation at CARMAhealth follows these clinical standards. Insurance & Coverage ## Most Major Plans Accepted We accept 15+ insurance plans and offer self-pay options for services not covered by insurance. +6 more [Verify Your Coverage](/insurance) [Call (512) 212-4670](tel:5122124670) Aetna · BCBS · Cigna · United Healthcare · Humana · and 6 more Common Questions ## Frequently Asked Questions About Psychiatric Evaluations An initial psychiatric evaluation at CARMAhealth typically lasts 60 minutes. This gives your practitioner enough time to review your history, conduct a thorough assessment, discuss findings, and begin outlining a treatment plan. A psychiatric practitioner is a medical practitioner who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, order lab tests, and oversee advanced treatments like TMS, Spravato, and ketamine therapy. A therapist provides talk therapy and counseling but cannot prescribe medication. At CARMAhealth, board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners lead your care. See our [Psychiatrist vs. Therapist guide](/psychiatrist-vs-therapist) for a full comparison. CARMAhealth accepts 15+ insurance plans, including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Humana. Most plans cover psychiatric evaluations as a medical visit. Contact our team at (512) 212-4670 to verify your specific coverage before scheduling. Yes. CARMAhealth offers psychiatric evaluations through secure [video visits](/services/telehealth) for patients in Texas and Florida. Telehealth evaluations follow the same thorough process as in-person visits. Your practitioner will discuss their findings and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This may include medication management, TMS therapy, Spravato, ketamine therapy, or referrals for talk therapy. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled within two to four weeks. Read our [What to Expect guide](/what-to-expect) for a full walkthrough of the visit. Our Practitioners ## Led by Board-Certified Practitioners Every evaluation at CARMAhealth is conducted by a licensed psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner with specialized training in diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. [Meet Our Practitioners](/providers) [Schedule an Appointment](/new-patients) (image: Carlos Tirado, MD, MPH) Carlos Tirado MD, MPH (image: Isela Werchan, MD) Isela Werchan MD (image: Jennifer Schaefer, MD) Jennifer Schaefer MD (image: Casey Coton, DO) Casey Coton DO (image: Steven Powell, MD) (image: David Walsh) (image: Lorie Kmetz) (image: Sally Reese) (image: Alex Dodson) (image: Audrey Amburgey, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC) (image: Samantha Hurlbut) (image: Dr. Robert Ulrich) (image: Dr. Jeff McCreight) (image: Kim Sterling) +12 and the rest of our care team Take the First Step ## Start Feeling Like Yourself Again Whether you're exploring treatment for the first time or looking for a new practitioner, our psychiatrists are here to listen. [Book an Appointment](/new-patients) [Call (512) 212-4670](tel:5122124670) Accepting new patients · 15+ insurance plans accepted · Telehealth available