Psychiatric Evaluation
This is where every single patient starts, and it’s a really meaningful piece of your care.
Our first meeting is a gentle conversation focused on your history, your day-to-day life, and what feeling well actually looks like for you. Because our lives are complex, this first step does involve a lot of questions. We know that when you are already carrying a heavy emotional weight, facing a long list of questions can feel incredibly overwhelming and exhausting. Please know our goal is never to bombard or drain you. We ask these questions because each one helps us uncover the small, important pieces of your story so we can find the right path forward together.
We set aside a full 75 minutes for your evaluation, and we will not rush you. Most importantly, you are always in control of the pace. Our main priority is making sure you feel comfortable and heard, so if we find that a slower pace feels best, we can easily wrap up what we need to in a follow-up session. We are here to listen to your whole story—what has worked, what hasn't, and what matters to you right now. We go slow so we can get it right.
What care looks like at Intersect
- We are a team, and your voice, insights, and comfort always guide the decisions we make together
- We look beyond just your symptoms to understand your day-to-day life, your background, and your personal goals
- We move at a speed that feels safe and manageable for you, never rushing or forcing the process
- We focus on what feeling well actually looks like for you, providing the space and tools to help you get there
Common reasons people reach out
- Carrying a heavy emotional weight. Navigating times when daily life feels too overwhelming, exhausting, or difficult to manage alone.
- Finding it hard to anchor yourself while adjusting to a big change or transition in your life
- Feeling completely overwhelmed or stretched too thin
- Dealing with a mind that feels too noisy, scattered, distracted, or restless to let you truly engage with the present moment
- Moving through your days feeling emotionally drained and exhausted, even when you are doing your best to keep up with everything
- Reaching a point where you realize you do not have to carry everything by yourself, and that it is okay to ask for support
Psychiatric Evaluation questions we are asked most
Will I be diagnosed during the first visit?
Probably not, and that is very intentional. We just met, and our focus during this first step is gathering your story, not rushing to stick a label on you. Human experiences are complex, and it takes time to truly understand everything you have been through. We refuse to rush that process just to check a box. We prefer to move at a pace that honors you as a whole person, ensuring we have the full picture before we decide on any official next steps together.
What if I have already been diagnosed with something - will I still need to do all this?
Yes, but not because we are ignoring where you’ve been. If you already have a diagnosis, that is a really helpful piece of information, and we definitely want to hear about it.
The reason we still take the time for our own conversation is that life changes, and sometimes old labels just don't fit how you feel today. You are so much more than words or clinical codes on a chart. We want to sit down and do our own fresh assessment together—one that focuses on your daily life right now, what wellness actually means to you, and what has or hasn’t helped you along the way. We go through this process to make sure your care is built around who you are today, not just a line item in your medical history.
I have never done this before. What if I feel nervous or don't know what to say?
That is completely normal, and it is entirely okay to be nervous. Please don't worry about having a perfect script or knowing exactly where to start. There is no right or wrong way to share your experience, and you don’t have to perform for us. We are right here with you to guide the conversation gently, one question at a time. If you need to pause, take a breath, or just sit quietly for a moment, the space is yours. We are on your timeline, and we will find our rhythm together.
Am I going to be told what to do, or do I get a say in my care?
You are entirely in the driver’s seat. Our relationship is a true partnership. While we bring our clinical expertise to the table, you are the expert on your own life, your body, and your history. We will never hand you a rigid plan or pressure you on a path that doesn't feel safe, comfortable, or right for you. Every single decision—from our pacing to our next steps—is something we talk through and agree on together.
How to get started
- Request a free 15-minute phone consultation to confirm we are a good fit.
- Complete a short pre-screening form before the call.
- Schedule your initial evaluation — a 75-minute video visit — and begin care.
Related care
This page is general information about services offered and is not medical advice or a substitute for individual clinical care. Intersect Mental Wellness is not a crisis center — call 911, 988, or go to your closest hospital emergency room if you are having an emergency.
Medically reviewed by
Heidi Reed, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, ADHD-CCSP
Founder & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Intersect Mental Wellness. Licensed in Arizona and Nevada.
Arizona RN #335883 · Nevada RN #897173 · NPI 1841156049
Last reviewed 15 August 2026