Getting started

Choose a provider and book a free consultation of up to 15 minutes through their Headway page. Sel, our administrative assistant, will give you a call to learn a little about what you are looking for, answer general questions, and complete a brief screening before your first appointment. If you are paying out of pocket, contact us directly and we will help coordinate the consultation.

The consultation gives us a chance to learn a little about what you are looking for before scheduling your first appointment. Our practice does not provide every type of mental health service or every level of care. Some concerns may require specialized treatment, comprehensive DBT, substance use treatment, more intensive services, or care in a setting that can provide closer monitoring. The consultation helps us better understand what you are looking for and determine the most appropriate next step.

Your first appointment is a psychiatric evaluation. Your provider will ask about what has been going on, your psychiatric and medical history, current and previous medications, sleep, daily routines, and other factors that may be relevant to your care. You will also have time to ask questions and discuss possible treatment options and next steps.

Not necessarily. Medication recommendations are based on your evaluation, symptoms, medical history, current medications, and your provider’s clinical judgment. In some situations, additional records, laboratory testing, medical clearance, or follow-up may be needed before starting or changing a medication.

Possibly. Having an existing prescription does not guarantee that the same medication, dose, or treatment plan will be continued. Your provider will complete their own assessment and determine whether continuing the medication is clinically appropriate and safe.

This varies depending on where you are in treatment and what medications you are taking. Early in treatment, follow-up visits are often scheduled about every two weeks while we see how you are responding and make adjustments when needed. As treatment becomes more stable, visits may be spaced out, sometimes up to every three months. Certain medications, symptoms, or clinical situations may require more frequent appointments, and your provider will discuss the recommended schedule with you.

We currently work with adults ages 18 to 65. At this time, we do not provide care for children or adults over age 65.

For the insurance plans we currently accept, a referral is generally not required to schedule an appointment with us. Insurance benefits and requirements can vary by plan, so we recommend confirming your coverage directly with your insurance company if you have questions about your specific benefits.

Yes. Care is available in New Jersey with select providers. You can view each provider’s states of licensure and availability on our Providers page.

Yes. Most appointments are offered by telehealth. In-person appointments are also available in Manhattan with select providers and must be scheduled in advance. We are unable to accommodate walk-in visits.

Yes. Evening and weekend appointments are available with select providers. Our administrative office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

We do not offer a formal sliding scale. Lower-fee options may be available on a case-by-case basis depending on availability and the provider. Please reach out to us directly if you would like to ask about current lower-fee options.

Our providers primarily use person-centered and supportive therapy, with cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques incorporated when helpful. The approach can vary depending on what you are working through, your goals, and the provider you are seeing. Therapy may be offered on its own or incorporated into psychiatric follow-up visits when appropriate.

If your needs would be better addressed through a service or level of care that we do not provide, we may recommend another clinician, program, or treatment setting that can provide that type of care. This may include specialized therapy, more intensive treatment, substance use services, or in-person evaluation and monitoring when clinically necessary.

No. Cotallat Psychiatry does not provide emergency or crisis services, and our office is not able to provide immediate or around-the-clock crisis response. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For immediate mental health crisis support, call or text 988.

A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with graduate-level education and advanced clinical training. Nurse Practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage health conditions within their scope of practice. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners receive specialized graduate training focused on psychiatric and mental health care.

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with graduate-level training in psychiatric mental health. Both can evaluate and diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide ongoing psychiatric care within their respective scopes of practice. Our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are board-certified, which is what the BC in PMHNP-BC stands for.

We do not provide letters or documentation for emotional support animals or service animals.

We do not complete this paperwork at the first appointment. Requests are considered only after an established treatment relationship, typically involving multiple visits over at least three months. Completion is at your provider’s discretion, based on their clinical assessment, and is not guaranteed. If you need documentation sooner, we recommend contacting a practice that can accommodate your timeline.