Question 1

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in becoming a new patient or you are reaching out on someone else's behalf, then fill out the following form and my office will contact you in 1-2 business days.

Question 2

Are you accepting new patients?

Accepted Answer

I am currently accepting new patients, but I have limited availability for regular psychotherapy (updated Dec 2025). Please fill out the linked form to request a consultation:

Question 3

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

I do not participate as an "in-network" provider for any insurance network. If your insurance plan offers "out-of-network" reimbursement (OON benefits), our office will provide you with a superbill (a medical invoice which includes procedural & diagnostic codes and specific provider information), which you may submit for reimbursement.

Many patients are simply unaware that they have OON benefits or are unsure how to use them. To briefly explain the difference:

When you see an in-network provider, you are responsible for your standard copay or coinsurance at the time of service (if applicable and depending upon plan deductible and myriad of other unnecessary complications). After your appointment, your in-network provider's office submits an insurance claim on your behalf, and your insurer pays your provider directly based on a previously determined fee schedule.

When you see an out-of-network provider, you pay the full fee to the provider at the time of service. Afterwards, you submit an insurance claim using the 'superbill' (a type of medical invoice). Some insurance plans make this process relatively easy, but others make it very complicated in order to deter you from using out-of-network benefits (it saves them money). Then, your insurance company reimburses you directly according to the benefits specified by your plan. OON benefits may range from no benefits, to some percentage (anything from 10% - 100%, usually in the 40% - 75% range), to complete coverage. Some plans have separate deductibles for OON benefits or other absurd requirements before OON benefits will cover health services. It can be simple, but it can also get complicated.

If you are unsure whether you have out-of-network benefits or don't understand what they are, please contact your health insurance plan and/or your plan's schedule of benefits. Most HMO plans and Marketplace plans do not have any OON coverage.

If the process of claiming OON benefits is too challenging, time-consuming or burdensome for you, then third party companies (such as Reimbursify) can do all the heavy lifting, tedious follow-up, and potentially fight with your insurance company on your behalf, for a relatively small fee (usually less than ~$5/claim). To be transparent, I have absolutely no affiliation with Reimbursify or similar services, and I only benefit by the satisfaction that my patients are able to afford my rates.

Question 4

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Payment for services is due in full at the time services are provided, unless prior arrangements have been made. Credit, debit, and HSA cards are the accepted forms of payment. Card payments may be securely made using the patient portal.
 
Private pay (self-pay) fees:
- Initial evaluation (new patients, ~90 min): $450  
- Follow-up visit (established patients, 30 min): $225  
- Psychotherapy (established patients, 50 min): $300
- Phone calls (lasting over 10 minutes): $40 per additional 10 min
- Cancellations (with less than 48 hours notice): 75% of appointment fee
- No shows: 100% of appointment fee
- Paperwork, letters, prior authorizations, etc: $300 per hour, prorated
* The above fees are subject to change, however, any changes will be discussed with you in advance. These fees are updated and effective as of 01/2026.
More information about specific services and fees.

Question 5

What methods of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

I currently accept:
 
Visa
Mastercard
AmEx
Discover
HSA cards
ACH bank account transfers
Zelle

Question 6

Are appointments virtual (telepsychiatry) or in-person?

Accepted Answer

I offer both virtual and in-person services, with flexibility to meet your needs. Please note that prescribing some medications may require meeting in-person at least once every two years, pending DEA regulation changes.

My office is located at 2703 Sol Wilson Ave, Austin, TX 78702, within the Ridgeway Counseling Center building.

Question 7

What is your relationship to the pharmaceutical industry?

Accepted Answer

I have intentionally chosen to practice psychiatry free of the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. I do not interact with pharma sales reps, get no kickbacks or free lunches, and do not have free samples of expensive drugs. I do not own stocks or shares in any pharmaceutical company, nor do I receive direct or indirect benefits from prescribing specific medications. The only benefit I get is helping my patients get better. I do my best to stay up-to-date on peer-reviewed, published scientific literature so that my patients benefit from the most current, evidence-based practices tailored to meet their individual needs.

Question 8

How and when should I access the patient portal?

Accepted Answer

All scheduling needs, secure messaging, refill requests, payments and more can be completed through the patient portal.

Question 9

What if I need to cancel an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Notice of cancellations or schedule changes is always preferred well in advance. Providing such notice allows me to schedule other patients in your absence, and you may appreciate this if you are ever on my list for urgent/high priority scheduling. If needing to request a change at least 48 hours in advance, you may do so through the patient portal.
Late Cancellations: Without the advance notice of a cancellation or schedule change within 2 business days of your scheduled appointment, you may be billed for 75% of the appointment fee. Please note that notice of a Monday cancellation should be given by the preceding Thursday. I will attempt to assist with schedule changes if I am able to do so. These fees are not punitive, and there will be no charge for a canceled appointment if I am able to see someone else during that time. If less than 48 hours before your appointment, please notify me by email or phone.

Question 10

What if I miss my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Should you miss an appointment, please contact me as soon as possible to reschedule. If you do not provide any notice of cancellation of your appointment and you do not attend or miss your appointment, for any reason, you will be considered a no show (“No Show”); and you will be billed the full fee (100%) for any No Show appointment.

Question 11

How often should I schedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of appointments will be recommended based on your individual needs (such as severity of symptoms), type of appointment (medication management vs. recurring psychotherapy), and treatment plan.

However, it is my policy to see all patients at least every three months (four times a year) to ensure the quality of psychiatric care. Failure to meet this minimum requirement could result in delays to medication access. All appointments should be requested through the patient portal.

Question 12

If I need to speak with you outside of a scheduled appointment, how can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

Portal: The preferred contact method is through the secure Messages tab within the patient portal, which is integrated with your electronic medical record and checked throughout the day. This allows efficient responses and faster resolutions (for example, medication refill requests).  
Phone: You may also call the main office number at 512-681-2907 and leave a message. Messages are checked several times per day during business hours and generally returned promptly, except on weekends and holidays. Every effort will be made to respond to your call within 1-2 business days.
Emergency: Occasionally issues arise prompting urgent, after-hours calls. Typically, these issues can either wait until the next day (for example, refills) or require more immediate evaluation at an urgent care center or emergency room. If you need more rapid attention or are in crisis, call 911 immediately or report to the nearest emergency room or psychiatric hospital. There is a psychiatric emergency department located in the emergency room at the Dell Seton Medical Center at UT.

Question 13

What precautions are you taking for COVID-19 or other infectious diseases?

Accepted Answer

Patient health and safety is naturally important to my practice. Both in-person and virtual appointments are available, allowing you to determine what is safest (for yourself and for me!). If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with an acute infectious illness or COVID-19 (or have had recent known exposure or positive test), then we can reschedule the appointment or switch the appointment to a virtual meeting (telepsychiatry). I do the same so as not to potentially spread illness among my patients.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions