Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Psychiatric Provider do?
Christy de la Garza-Gilbert is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner dedicated to diagnosing and treating mental health disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. She provides comprehensive care through medication management and collaboration with other healthcare providers. The degree of collaboration varies depending on the acuity of the patient and situation.
What can I expect from psychiatric treatment?
Treatment typically involves a thorough diagnostic evaluation assessment to evaluate symptoms and establish diagnosis, followed by creating personalized treatment strategies. This may include prescription medications to manage symptoms, recommended therapy sessions, and ongoing support for your mental well-being.
How do psychiatric providers work with other healthcare professionals?
Depending on the acuity, Christy De la Garza-Gilbert will collaborate closely with other healthcare experts to ensure holistic care for her patients. This integrated approach combines medical expertise with psychological care to provide comprehensive mental health support.
What should I expect in the first session?
The first session is primarily about getting to know each other. We'll discuss what brings you to a psychiatric specialist, your background, and your goals for treatment. We begin with a thorough assessment of your mental health needs, medical history, mental health history, and treatment goals. This helps us develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific concerns. For adults, this is typically a 60-minute appointment. For children and adolescents, 90 minutes is required. Prior to booking a diagnostic evaluation, the patient (if 18+) must fill out and submit an "Adult Intake Form for Psychiatric Evaluation." If the prospective patient is under 18 years old, the parent and/or guardian must fill out and submit the "Parent Section for Psychiatric Evaluation" prior to booking an initial appointment.
How long does each session last?
For adults, the initial diagnostic evaluation appointment is generally 60 minutes long, with 25-30 minute medication management (follow up) appointments. For children and adolescents, the initial diagnostic evaluation usually takes 90 minutes, with 30-45 minutes medication management (follow up) appointments.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we currently accept Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Colorado, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Cigna, Oscar (Optum), Oxford (Optum), United Health Care (Optum), and AARP. Medicaid and Medicare credentialing have been submitted but are still pending. We have recently begun the process to credential with Presbyterian and will soon begin the credentialing process with Summit.
How often will we meet?
Initially, most clients meet bi-weekly or monthly until stable. As progress is made, we may adjust the frequency based on your needs. The longest time between appointments at Durango Family Psychiatry is 3 months.
What ages do you treat?
We provide psychiatric care for all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults in Durango. In Pagosa Springs and Cortez, however, we will only provide psychiatric care for children and adolescents.