Feeling anxious about your first appointment is completely normal. My goal is to make your first visit feel calm, clear, and genuinely helpful—not rushed or overwhelming.

At Reed Psychiatry, your first visit is a 60-minute, comprehensive evaluation focused on understanding your story—not just your symptoms. Together, we’ll explore what’s been going on, what you’ve already tried, and what you want life to feel like moving forward.

You can be seen in person in Logan, Utah or via secure telehealth anywhere in Utah.

Is Reed Psychiatry a Good Fit for You?

Who I Work With

I see adults who are struggling with:

• Anxiety, worry, or constant “what if” thinking

• Depression, low motivation, or feeling “numb”

• ADHD, focus, and organization challenges

• Bipolar spectrum mood shifts

• Trauma-related symptoms (hypervigilance, nightmares, intrusive memories)

• Sleep issues, burnout, and life transitions

If you’re not sure exactly what you’re dealing with—but you know you don’t feel like yourself—that’s okay. Your first visit is the place to sort through it together.

How Your First Visit Works (Step-by-Step)

What to Expect from Start to Finish

Step 1: Before Your Appointment

After you schedule, you’ll receive secure intake forms by email. These help us use your time well and may include:

• Basic demographic and contact information

• Brief medical and mental health history

• Current medications and supplements

• Screening questionnaires (for anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, etc.)

You’ll also receive details on how to join your telehealth visit or where to arrive for in-person appointments:

• In-person: Reed Psychiatry, 701 S Main Street, Suite 106, Logan, Utah 84321

• Telehealth: Secure video platform that works on your phone, tablet, or computer

Step 2: During Your Visit (60 Minutes)

Your first visit is a thorough, relaxed conversation, not an interrogation. We’ll typically cover:

• Your story: what brought you in now, and what’s been hardest lately

• Symptoms & patterns: mood, sleep, energy, anxiety, focus, appetite, and functioning at work/home

• History: past mental health treatment, therapy, medications, and significant life events

• Medical context: relevant medical history, family history, and current medications

• Goals: what you want to feel or be able to do that you can’t right now

You’re always welcome to bring written notes or questions so you don’t forget anything important.

Step 3: After the Visit

Before we end, we’ll decide together on:

• A preliminary diagnosis or working understanding of what’s going on

• A treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, lifestyle strategies, and/or labs

• Follow-up timing, usually within a few weeks to review how you’re doing

You’ll leave knowing exactly what the next steps are and how to reach me between visits for non-urgent questions or medication concerns.

Assessments & Questionnaires

Evidence-Based Assessments—Not Just “Gut Feeling”

To support an accurate diagnosis, I use standardized screening tools alongside our conversation. Depending on your symptoms, these might include:

• PHQ-9 for depression

• GAD-7 for anxiety

• PTSD and trauma screeners

• ADHD questionnaires for attention and focus concerns

• Additional tools for sleep, mood, or substance use as needed

You’ll usually complete these questionnaires before or during your first visit, either on paper or electronically. We’ll review the results together so you understand what they show—and what they don’t.

When Labs or Medical Tests Are Needed

Do I Need Labs or Other Medical Tests?

Not everyone needs lab work or additional medical testing at their first visit. I may recommend labs if:

• Your symptoms could be related to thyroid, vitamin, or hormone issues

• You’ve had recent medication changes or side effects

• There are concerns about physical health conditions that can mimic or worsen mental health symptoms

If labs are recommended, I’ll explain exactly why, how to get them done, and how we’ll use the results to shape your treatment plan.

Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

How Diagnosis Works (And What It Really Means)

A diagnosis is not a label meant to define you—it’s a tool we use to:

• Understand your symptoms in a clear, consistent way

• Choose treatments with the strongest evidence

• Communicate with other providers when needed

We’ll walk through my impressions together. If we’re not 100% sure yet, I’ll be honest about that and use a “working diagnosis” while we gather more information over time.

Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Your plan might include:

• Medication options (if you choose), including benefits, risks, and alternatives

• Therapy and counseling recommendations

• Sleep, lifestyle, and nervous system regulation strategies

• Referrals to other specialists if needed

You always have the final say in what we do. My role is to give you clear information, clinical guidance, and nonjudgmental support.

Privacy, Safety & Telehealth

Your Privacy & Safety Come First

Reed Psychiatry follows HIPAA-compliant privacy standards to protect your health information. This means:

• Your records are stored securely

• Your information is only shared with your consent or when legally required for safety

• Telehealth visits are conducted over an encrypted, secure platform

If we ever talk about safety concerns—like suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or harm from others—we’ll approach it with care and collaboration. The goal is to keep you safe, not to punish or judge you.

What You Leave With After Your First Visit

What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of your first appointment, you should have:

• A clear understanding of what I think is going on and why

• A written or verbal treatment plan with concrete next steps

• A plan for medication (starting, adjusting, or not using medication—based on your comfort)

• Guidance on therapy, self-care, and lifestyle strategies that fit your reality

• A scheduled follow-up appointment so you’re not left wondering what’s next

My goal is that you leave feeling more understood, less alone, and more hopeful about the path forward.

Getting Ready for Your Appointment

How to Prepare (If You Want To)

You don’t need to do anything perfect to be a “good patient.” But some people find it helpful to:

• Make a short list of your top 3 concerns

• Write down all current medications and supplements

• Think about when your symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

• Bring past records or evaluations if you have them (not required)

• Jot down any questions you don’t want to forget

It’s also okay to show up with no plan, no notes, and no perfect words. We’ll figure it out together.

Ready to Schedule Your First Visit?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply not like yourself, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Your first visit is a chance to slow down, be heard, and leave with a plan.

FAQ

Q: How long is the first visit?
A: The initial psychiatry visit is typically about 60 minutes. Follow-up visits are shorter and more focused on how treatment is working, any side effects, and next steps.

Q: Do you offer telehealth?
A: Yes. I offer secure telehealth visits for adults located anywhere in Utah, as well as in-person appointments at my office in Logan.

Q: Will I be prescribed medication at my first visit?
A: Not always. Some patients start medication at their first visit; others prefer to wait. We’ll talk through options in detail, and I’ll only prescribe if it feels clinically appropriate and you feel comfortable with the plan.

Q: Can I bring a partner, family member, or friend?
A: Yes, if you’d find that supportive. We’ll still make space for one-on-one time so you can share openly.

Q: What if I’ve had a bad experience with meds or psychiatry before?
A: That’s important information, and you’re welcome to share it. We’ll go at a pace that feels safe for you, and you’ll never be pressured into a treatment you’re not comfortable with.

Q: What if I’m in crisis?
A: I do not function as a 24/7 emergency service. If you are in crisis—such as thinking about seriously harming yourself or others—please call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact your local crisis line. You can also reach out to me for follow-up support once you’re safe.