FAQ’s


Q: How long is my first appointment, and will I have enough time to talk about my concerns? 

A: Your initial psychiatric evaluation is scheduled for 60 minutes, allowing plenty of time to discuss your symptoms, medical and mental health history, current concerns, treatment goals, and any questions you may have. We believe building a strong understanding of your unique experiences is the foundation of effective mental health care. 
Unlike many practices that offer short medication management visits, all follow-up appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes. This allows us to go beyond simply refilling medications and gives you the opportunity to discuss changes in your symptoms, life stressors, treatment progress, side effects, and coping strategies without feeling rushed. 
Our goal is to provide compassionate, personalized care where you feel heard—not hurried. We intentionally schedule longer appointments, so you have the time and space needed for meaningful conversations and high-quality psychiatric care.

Q: How often will I need to come in for appointments? 

A: Your treatment plan is individualized based on your needs, symptoms, and goals. After your initial evaluation, most patients are seen again in about one month to assess how you’re doing, review your treatment plan, and make any necessary adjustments. 

Once you’re feeling stable and your symptoms are well managed, follow-up visits may be spaced out to every 2–3 months, depending on your progress and clinical needs. However, if you’re going through a difficult time, starting a new medication, experiencing changes in your symptoms, or simply feel you need additional support, we’re always happy to see you more frequently

Mental health care is an ongoing partnership, not a one-time visit. We’ll regularly discuss how you’re feeling, what’s working, and whether your treatment plan continues to meet your needs. Our scheduling recommendations are part of that conversation and can change over time as your needs change. 

Our ultimate goal is to work alongside you, providing the support, guidance, and treatment you need to help you make meaningful progress and achieve your mental health goals. We believe your care should evolve with you, and we’re committed to being there every step of the way

Q: Do I need neuropsychological testing before I can be evaluated or treated for ADHD or other mental health conditions? 

A: No. At The Mooring Point, neuropsychological testing is not required before we evaluate or treat ADHD or most other mental health conditions. 

Your evaluation begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment that includes a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical and mental health history, current functioning, and treatment goals. When appropriate, we also use validated screening tools, rating scales, and clinical interviews to better understand your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. These evidence-based methods are often sufficient to establish a diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan. 

In some situations, however, neuropsychological testing may be recommended as part of your ongoing care. This may be helpful if: 

  • Your diagnosis is unclear or symptoms overlap with multiple conditions.  
  • You’re not responding to treatment as expected.  
  • There are concerns about learning difficulties, memory, attention, or other cognitive functioning.  
  • Additional information would provide greater diagnostic clarity and help guide treatment recommendations.  

Our goal is to recommend testing only when it adds value to your care, not as a routine requirement. We believe in using the right tools at the right time to help you better understand your symptoms and develop the most effective treatment plan possible. Your care is individualized, and we’ll discuss any recommendations with you to make informed decisions together.

Q: Does The Mooring Point offer telehealth appointments? 

A: Yes. The Mooring Point is pleased to offer secure telehealth appointments for patients when clinically appropriate, providing a convenient option for receiving psychiatric care from the comfort of your home. In-person appointments are also always available, and we encourage them whenever they are the best option for your care. 

While many psychiatric visits can be completed effectively through telehealth, there are times when an in-person evaluation is necessary. Physical observations and assessments can be an important part of safely managing psychiatric medications, monitoring side effects, and ensuring you receive the highest quality of care. If your provider believes an in-person visit is needed, they will discuss the reasons with you and work to schedule one at an appropriate time. 

If you live a significant distance from our office and telehealth is your only practical option, we’ll do our best to work with you. However, if your treatment requires ongoing in-person assessments that cannot reasonably be completed, we may recommend or assist with a referral to a provider closer to your home so you can continue to receive safe, comprehensive care. 

Please note that telehealth regulations are subject to change based on federal and state laws, insurance requirements, and prescribing regulations. These rules can affect when telehealth is appropriate and whether periodic in-person visits are required. If any changes impact your care, The Mooring Point will communicate them well in advance and work with you to ensure a smooth transition. 

Our goal is to provide care that is both accessible and clinically appropriate, while always prioritizing your safety, treatment success, and continuity of care. 

Q: I’m currently seeing another psychiatric provider. How do I transfer my care to The Mooring Point? 

A: Transferring your care is a straightforward process, and The Mooring Point is happy to help every step of the way. 

To get started, simply request access to our secure patient portal. Through the portal, you’ll be able to: 

  • Complete your new patient registration.  
  • Review and sign practice policies and consent forms.  
  • Submit your insurance information.  
  • Complete your intake questionnaires before your first appointment.  

If you’ve been receiving care from another psychiatric provider, we’ll assist you in completing a Release of Information (ROI) so we can request your medical records. Our team will send the request to your previous provider and review the records as they become available to help ensure a smooth transition of care. 

Once you’ve completed your intake paperwork, we’ll work with you to schedule your initial 60-minute evaluation and begin developing a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

Our goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible while maintaining continuity of care. Whether you’re changing providers due to relocation, a change in insurance, or you’re simply looking for a different approach to treatment, we’re here to support you throughout the process and help you feel comfortable from your very first visit. 

Q: How can I view my billing statements and make a payment? 

A: Managing your account is simple through The Mooring Point’s secure patient portal

Using the portal, you can: 

  • View your billing statements and account balance.  
  • Make secure online payments.  
  • Update your insurance information.  
  • Add or update your payment method, including credit or debit card information.  
  • Review your payment history and other account details.  

The patient portal is available 24/7, making it easy to manage your account whenever it’s convenient for you. 

If you have any questions about your bill, notice an insurance issue, or have difficulty accessing your account or making a payment, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’re happy to help troubleshoot portal issues, answer billing questions, and ensure your account information is accurate. 

Our goal is to make the billing process as transparent, secure, and convenient as possible so you can focus on what matters most—your mental health and well-being.

Q: How do I access the patient portal? 

A: You can access the patient portal using the welcome email sent by your provider when your account was created. For security purposes, the activation link is valid for 24 hours

If your link has expired, don’t worry—you can request a new one in either of the following ways: 

  • Click the “Request New Link” option available on the expired activation page. 

Once your portal account is activated, you’ll be able to securely complete intake forms, review practice documents, update your information, view billing statements, make payments, and communicate with your provider as appropriate.

Q: Can The Mooring Point complete FMLA or disability paperwork? 

A: The Mooring Point may complete FMLAshort-term disability, and other work or school accommodation forms for established patients when clinically appropriate. 

Because these forms require a comprehensive understanding of your symptoms, level of functioning, treatment history, and any impairments affecting your ability to work or attend school, they cannot be completed during an initial evaluation or first appointment

In general, patients should be established with the practice for at least three months before requests for FMLA or short-term disability documentation are considered. This allows your provider time to develop a therapeutic relationship, evaluate your condition over multiple visits, and determine whether the requested documentation is medically supported. Requests may be considered sooner on a case-by-case basis if sufficient clinical information is available. 

Please note that The Mooring Point does not complete long-term disability evaluations or documentation, as these typically require specialized assessments that are beyond the scope of routine outpatient psychiatric care. 

All requests are reviewed on an individual basis, and meeting the above guidelines does not guarantee that paperwork will be completed or that leave or disability will be medically supported. Additional appointments may be required to evaluate your request, and fees may apply for completion of forms that are not covered by insurance. 

Q: What conditions does The Mooring Point treat? 

A: The Mooring Point provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and brief therapy for children (ages 5 and older), adolescents, and adults. We treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to: 

  • Anxiety disorders 
  • Depression 
  • ADHD 
  • Mood disorders, including bipolar disorder 
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 
  • Trauma- and stress-related disorders 
  • Sleep-related concerns 
  • Adjustment disorders 
  • Many behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns of childhood and adolescence 
  • Substance use and addiction disorders, including support for recovery and relapse prevention (please note that medication-assisted treatment, such as Suboxone®, is not provided

If you are unsure whether your concerns are something we treat, we encourage you to contact our office. Our team is happy to discuss your needs and help determine whether our practice is a good fit or provide guidance on appropriate referrals if needed. 

Services Not Provided 

While we treat a broad range of psychiatric conditions, The Mooring Point does not provide: 

  • Comprehensive disability evaluations 
  • Child custody or parenting evaluations 
  • Court-ordered or forensic psychiatric evaluations 
Q: I don’t have insurance. How can I afford treatment? 

A: We believe that access to quality mental health care should not be limited by insurance coverage. If you do not have insurance or prefer not to use your insurance benefits, The Mooring Point offers self-pay services with a sliding scale payment plan for eligible patients. 

Before you begin treatment, we will discuss your financial situation and work with you to establish a payment plan that is clear, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Our goal is for you to understand the expected costs before enrolling in services, so there are no unexpected fees or surprises. 

If you have concerns about the cost of care, we encourage you to contact our office. We are happy to discuss your options and determine whether a sliding scale payment arrangement may be available for you. 

Q: What insurance plans does The Mooring Point accept? 

A: The Mooring Point is currently in-network with or has pending enrollment with the following payors:  

  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield 
  • Aetna 
  • Cigna 
  • UnitedHealthcare (Optum) 
  • Humana 
  • TRICARE 
  • UPMC 
  • Medicare 
  • Medicare Advantage plans 

Insurance credentialing timelines vary by payer and may take several weeks or months to complete. Once participation is approved, we will update our website and notify patients as appropriate. 

If you have questions about your insurance coverage or would like to verify whether your plan is accepted, please contact The Mooring Point before scheduling your appointment. Our team is happy to help you understand your options and discuss self-pay services if we are not yet in network with your insurance plan.