Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
What If Your Depression Isn't Just Depression?
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation With Medical Workup
A 75-90 minute initial evaluation that investigates thyroid, hormones, sleep, iron, and medication interactions before changing your psychiatric care. Chandler, AZ and California/Arizona telehealth.
Thyroid, hormones, sleep, and labs reviewed before treatment
Investigation before prescription, not the other way around
Minute initial evaluation
New patient evaluations often available within the week
Recognition
Is This You?
The patients who benefit most from diagnostic psychiatry share common experiences
The Treatment-Resistant
You've tried 3+ medications over years. Nothing works—or everything helps briefly then stops. You're starting to wonder if you're just 'broken.'
Treatment-resistant symptoms often have under-investigated medical contributors — thyroid, iron, sleep, hormones, and medication interactions can all blunt response to psychiatric care.
The Functioning Struggler
You perform at work and meet obligations, but it takes everything you have. You know you're capable of more, but something's holding you back.
Subclinical thyroid, iron, or B12 issues often explain that 'something's off' feeling.
The New Symptom
Something changed. Anxiety hit in your 40s. Focus crashed postpartum. Depression appeared after medical treatment. This isn't who you've always been.
New-onset symptoms often have identifiable triggers—hormonal, metabolic, or medical.
The Skeptical Seeker
You've read about the gut-brain connection, inflammation, and hormones. You want someone who investigates causes, not just prescribes.
You're right to be skeptical. Symptoms are clues, not final diagnoses.
"After years of trial and error, finally getting answers."
The Question Standard Psychiatry Doesn't Ask
"You have depression. Here's an antidepressant."
But why do you have depression? Is it your thyroid? Iron deficiency? Sleep apnea? Hormone imbalance? Vitamin D? Or is it truly a primary psychiatric condition?
The treatment that works depends on the answer to that question.
"Symptoms rarely tell the whole story. The body is interconnected—and so is the diagnosis."
— Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC
Comprehensive Investigation
What We Investigate
A 75-90 minute evaluation that systematically examines physiological factors most psychiatric visits miss.
Thyroid & Hormones
- Complete thyroid panel (TSH, free T3/T4, reverse T3, antibodies)
- Reproductive hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
- Cortisol patterns and adrenal function
- Perimenopause/menopause assessment
Nutritional Status
- B12, folate, and methylation (affects neurotransmitter synthesis)
- Complete iron studies including ferritin
- Vitamin D (immune and neurological function)
- Magnesium and essential minerals
Sleep Architecture
- Sleep quality and circadian rhythm assessment
- Sleep apnea screening — frequently under-diagnosed in psychiatric care
- Restless leg syndrome evaluation
- Impact of fragmentation on mood/cognition
Systemic Health
- Blood pressure optimization (affects mental health)
- Inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine)
- Medication interactions across all prescriptions
- Chronic conditions affecting psychiatric symptoms
The Difference
Standard Psychiatry vs. Diagnostic Approach
| Standard Approach | Our Approach | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment length | 15-30 minutes | 75-90 minute initial evaluation |
| Assessment approach | Symptom checklist → medication | Systematic investigation → root cause → targeted treatment |
| Lab work | Basic or none | Comprehensive panels (thyroid, iron, vitamins, hormones) |
| Treatment philosophy | Manage symptoms with medication | Identify and treat underlying causes |
| Follow-up | Monthly check-ins indefinitely | Intensive → Optimization → Quarterly maintenance |
| Success metric | Symptom reduction | Lasting stability without indefinite intensive care |
Your Path Forward
The Three-Phase Treatment Model
Designed for lasting stability—not indefinite intensive care
Intensive Diagnosis
Months 1-3 • Weekly or biweekly
Comprehensive assessment, lab investigation, and treatment initiation. We identify all contributing factors and adjust treatment for optimal response.
- Complete diagnostic workup
- Lab results analyzed
- Initial treatment started
- Response monitored closely
Optimization
Months 4-6 • Monthly visits
Treatment is fine-tuned as response becomes clearer. Remaining symptoms are addressed and stability is assessed.
- Treatment refined
- Remaining issues addressed
- Stability confirmed
- Maintenance prep begins
Maintenance
Month 7+ • Quarterly check-ins
Once stable, brief quarterly visits maintain wellness long-term. Root cause treatment means minimal ongoing care.
- 15-30 minute appointments
- Long-term monitoring
- Minimal life disruption
- Sustained wellness
When the drivers are identified
treatment becomes more targeted
Real Results, Not Empty Promises
Most patients see meaningful, sustained improvement once underlying contributors are identified and treated — typically within the first few months of comprehensive care, with some cases requiring longer.
"Treatment-resistant depression" is often a misdiagnosis. When systematic investigation reveals thyroid dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, sleep apnea, or hormonal imbalances—and these are treated—many patients experience dramatic improvement, sometimes without psychiatric medications.
What to Expect
Your First Appointment
Your 75-90 minute initial evaluation is thorough and unhurried. We review your complete history—psychiatric, medical, medications, sleep, stress, and lifestyle factors that standard visits don't have time to explore.
Based on our discussion, we'll order targeted lab work to investigate potential medical contributors. This isn't a "screen everything" approach—it's strategic investigation based on your specific presentation and history.
Most patients leave their first appointment with a clear understanding of what we're investigating, why, and what the next steps look like.
Initial Evaluation
- Initial Evaluation 75-90 minutes
- Format In-person or telehealth
- Insurance Most major plans accepted
- New Patients Often within the week
- Location Chandler, AZ + Telehealth
What to Bring
- Recent lab work (if available)
- Current medication list with dosages
- Medical history summary
- Previous psychiatric treatment records
- List of supplements you take
Not Sure If This Is Right?
Free 15-minute consultation to discuss your situation and determine if our approach fits your needs.
Call (310) 955-1041Psychiatric Evaluation FAQs
What Patients Ask Before a Diagnostic Evaluation
Why does the initial evaluation take 75-90 minutes?
Because a 15-minute visit can't separate primary psychiatric illness from medical contributors. We use the longer visit to take a complete history, review every current medication, screen for medical mimics (thyroid, hormones, iron, sleep, infection, inflammation), and decide what labs are worth running before prescribing.
What if I've already tried multiple medications and nothing has worked?
Treatment-resistant symptoms often have under-investigated contributors — sleep disorders, thyroid issues, low ferritin, hormone shifts, drug interactions, and adherence patterns. Re-evaluation focuses on what has not been investigated yet, not on adding another medication on top.
Do you do hormone or thyroid replacement?
We screen for thyroid and hormone contributors that affect mood, focus, and sleep. We coordinate with primary care or endocrinology for replacement when appropriate. Where psychiatric prescribing overlaps, such as perimenopause and depression, we manage care collaboratively.
What labs are typically ordered?
Common panels include thyroid (TSH, free T3/T4, antibodies), iron studies with ferritin, B12 and folate, vitamin D, inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine), and reproductive hormones when clinically indicated. Labs are individualized to your symptoms and history.
Is the evaluation available by telehealth?
Yes. We offer initial evaluations in-person in Chandler, AZ and by telehealth across Arizona and California.
Can you work with my therapist?
Yes. Many patients see a therapist for talk therapy and a psychiatric clinician for medication and medical workup. We coordinate care when you'd like us to.
What does follow-up look like after the initial evaluation?
Most patients move from more frequent visits in the first few months, while treatment is being adjusted, to monthly and then quarterly maintenance once stable. Pace depends on your response and any medication being managed.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most major insurance plans. Call to confirm your specific plan before scheduling.
Ready for Answers, Not Just Prescriptions?
New patient evaluations are often available within the week. We accept most major insurance plans — call to confirm yours.
Schedule Your Evaluation