Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Getting a Psychiatric Evaluation in Rancho Palos Verdes
Plenty of people arrive with a diagnosis and three medication trials behind them, and the notes from each one are still in someone else's chart.
By Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC Updated October 2026
Most new patients are seen within days
- Where
- Rancho Palos Verdes office or California telehealth
- Self-pay
- $450 with Canybec · $350 with Sharon · $150 follow-ups
- Insurance
- We check benefits before the visit
- Who
- Canybec: ages 10 and older · Sharon: adults
What I check
- Every past diagnosis
- Every medication trial
- Recent labs
- Records from earlier care
I'm Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC, MBA; an ICU admission starts by putting every lab, medication and note on one page, and an evaluation should too. The pattern shows up when it's all in one place.
Rancho Palos Verdes evaluation guide
Getting evaluated on the Peninsula, whatever your coverage
Los Angeles County's public mental health system starts with one number: the Help Line, 800-854-7771, answers at any hour, screens, refers and can send a crisis team. L.A. Care members can start through the plan without a referral for the first assessment, and uninsured residents can get free or sliding-scale care at county facilities. Everything below is public or nonprofit; I checked each one on its own website in October 2026.
- If it can't wait Call or text 988, or call the LA County Help Line at 800-854-7771, which can send a crisis team. Harbor-UCLA in Torrance has adult and adolescent psychiatric emergency rooms, open 24 hours.
- If you have Medi-Cal For specialty mental health care, the county Help Line screens and refers. L.A. Care members can set up a first assessment through the plan's behavioral health line without a referral.
- If you're uninsured Apply for Medi-Cal through the county, or ask about Ability to Pay: free care at county facilities at or under 200% of the federal poverty level. Harbor Community Health Centers in San Pedro sees patients regardless of ability to pay.
- For an evaluation with us At the office on Western Ave or by telehealth anywhere in California. With me, 75 minutes and $450 self-pay; with Sharon Hernandez, PMHNP-BC, $350. With insurance, we check your benefits first; a check isn't a guarantee. Request an evaluation
Rancho Palos Verdes resources
Checked October 2026 on each organization's own website. Details can change; confirm with them directly.
Medi-Cal, county care and the public system
- LA County Department of Mental Health (Medi-Cal) 800-854-7771
The county's Medi-Cal plan for specialty mental health care. The Help Line screens and refers any hour.
For: Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles County
- L.A. Care (Medi-Cal): behavioral health 877-344-2858
Members get most mental health care, including therapy and psychiatry, through the plan; the first assessment needs no referral.
For: L.A. Care members
- LA County Health Services: Ability to Pay 844-804-0055
Free county health care for uninsured residents at or under 200% of the federal poverty level, and a sliding scale above it. Weekdays 8 to 5:30, Saturdays 8 to 4:30.
For: Uninsured Los Angeles County residents
- Apply for Medi-Cal (LA County DPSS) 866-613-3777
Apply for Medi-Cal by phone, or online at BenefitsCal.com.
For: Los Angeles County residents
- 211 LA 211
Free referrals to local health and social services, any hour, in many languages.
Community mental health care
Ask about fees, insurance and waitlists when you call.
- San Pedro Mental Health Center (LA County) 310-519-6100
County-run outpatient mental health care for adults, in English and Spanish. Walk-ins weekdays 8 to 4:30; call to confirm the address before you go.
For: Adults
- Harbor Community Health Centers: behavioral health 310-547-0202
Therapy and other mental health care in San Pedro, regardless of ability to pay. Takes Medi-Cal plans including L.A. Care and Health Net.
For: San Pedro and Long Beach area residents
- Los Angeles LGBT Center: mental health and psychiatry 323-993-7500
Therapy and psychiatry for LGBTQ+ people and families, regardless of ability to pay; most visits are by telehealth. New patients press 3.
For: LGBTQ+ people and families
In a crisis
If someone may hurt themselves or someone else, call 911.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988
Call, text or chat any time for free, confidential support, including for alcohol or drug concerns.
- LA County Help Line (Department of Mental Health) 800-854-7771
The county line for mental health and substance use help, any hour. Call it, not 988, to have an in-person crisis team come to you.
For: Anyone in Los Angeles County
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center emergency department 424-306-4000
County hospital with adult and adolescent psychiatric emergency rooms, open 24 hours, at 1000 W Carson St, Torrance.
- Teen Line 800-852-8336
Teens talk with trained teen listeners, 6 to 10 p.m.; text TEEN to 839863, 6 to 9 p.m. At other hours, adult counselors answer.
For: Young people up to 19
A second opinion should start from the first one's notes.
Written by Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC. Resources checked October 2026.Seeing us for an evaluation
- Where
- In person at 29000 S Western Ave STE 205, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, or by telehealth anywhere in California.
- Clinicians
- Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC, sees patients 10 and older. Sharon Hernandez, PMHNP-BC, sees adults. We confirm which clinician fits when you request care.
- Evaluation
- With Canybec, 75 minutes, $450 self-pay. With Sharon, $350 self-pay.
- Follow-ups
- 30 minutes, $150 self-pay, with either clinician.
- Bring
- Every past diagnosis and medication trial with the dose and why it stopped, recent labs, and any records you can get from earlier care.
- Insurance
- Send your plan with the request and we check benefits before the visit. A benefits check doesn't guarantee coverage or your final cost.
Insurance plans we verify before scheduling
Plans we can check
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- UnitedHealthcare / Optum / Oxford
- Medicare
- Oscar Health
- Providence Health Plan
- Cigna / Evernorth
- Carelon Behavioral Health (California only)
- Curative (Canybec Sulayman, AZ & CA)
Self-pay: Canybec Sulayman $450 initial; Sharon Hernandez $350 initial (California only). Follow-up visits $150.
Network participation varies by clinician, state, and specific plan or product. Our team checks your exact benefits before an evaluation is confirmed. A listed plan does not establish in-network status; benefits verification does not guarantee coverage or your final cost.
Insurance & costQuestions from the Peninsula
How much does a psychiatric evaluation cost in Rancho Palos Verdes?
With Canybec, self-pay is $450 for the 75-minute evaluation; with Sharon, $350. Follow-ups are $150 for 30 minutes with either. With insurance, your cost depends on your plan; we check benefits first, and a check isn't a guarantee. Medi-Cal members can get care through the county or their plan.
Can I get a psychiatric evaluation without insurance?
Yes. Self-pay is one route. LA County's Ability to Pay program gives free or sliding-scale care at county facilities, and the county can help you apply for Medi-Cal (866-613-3777). Crisis services are open to anyone.
I have Medi-Cal. Who covers my mental health care?
For specialty mental health care, call the LA County Help Line, 800-854-7771, at any hour. L.A. Care members can reach behavioral health at 877-344-2858; the first assessment needs no referral. Members of another plan should call the number on their card.
Where can I get emergency psychiatric care near Rancho Palos Verdes?
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St in Torrance, has adult and adolescent psychiatric emergency rooms, open 24 hours (424-306-4000). To ask for a crisis team, call the LA County Help Line, 800-854-7771. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Rancho Palos Verdes office
29000 S Western Ave STE 205
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Hours:Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
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Appointment availability varies. Contact us to confirm fit, insurance, and visit format.
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