Honest answers
to real questions

The first visit is a relaxed, conversation-based intake — not an interrogation. We'll spend time getting to know you (or your child), understanding what's brought you here, and beginning to build a picture of the full context of your life.

There's no pressure to share everything at once. We're getting acquainted, not rushing to diagnose. The first appointment is about establishing trust and safety above all else. Plan for about 60–75 minutes.

No referral is required to schedule an appointment at Rooted Minds. You're welcome to reach out directly. Some insurance plans may require a referral for coverage purposes — check with your insurance provider if you're unsure, and we're happy to help you navigate that.

Rooted Minds is a psychiatric practice, which means our focus is on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment — including both medication management and supportive psychiatric care.

If therapy (such as CBT, trauma therapy, or family therapy) would benefit you or your child, we're happy to provide referrals to trusted therapists in the area and coordinate care across providers.

Frequency depends entirely on your individual needs and care plan. In the beginning, appointments may be more frequent — often every 2–4 weeks — as we get to know you, establish treatment, and monitor progress.

As things stabilize, many patients transition to monthly or quarterly check-ins. We adjust based on what's right for you, not a fixed schedule.

Yes. Telehealth appointments are available and can be a great option for follow-up visits, ongoing care, or patients who have difficulty with in-person attendance. We'll discuss what makes most sense for your situation during intake.

We ask for at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Life happens — and we understand that. We just ask for as much notice as possible so that appointment times can be offered to others who need them.

Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee. We'll go over the details during your intake.

Initial intake appointments are typically 60–75 minutes. Follow-up appointments are generally 20–45 minutes depending on complexity and what needs to be addressed. We never rush an appointment when more time is genuinely needed.

For younger children (ages 5–12), parents are typically involved at the start and end of appointments for check-in, updates, and coordination. The middle of the session may be child-focused time.

For teens (ages 12–17), we navigate parental involvement collaboratively. Teens often feel more comfortable with private time during appointments, and we honor that — while keeping parents informed in ways that respect both the teen's privacy and the family's need to support them.

Resistance is incredibly common — and completely understandable. Mental health appointments can feel scary or stigmatizing, especially for young people who don't know what to expect.

A few things that help:

• Frame it as going to talk to someone, not "going to therapy"
• Keep your own tone calm and matter-of-fact — kids take cues from parents
• Let them know they're in control of what they share
• Avoid making it a punishment or tying it to behavior

If it would help, we can schedule a brief parent-only consultation first so you feel equipped going into that conversation with your child.

Keep it honest, simple, and warm. You don't need a long explanation. Try something like:

Avoid language that implies something is "wrong" with them, or framing it as a consequence. Let them ask questions and answer honestly — including "I don't know exactly, but we'll find out together."

The most important thing? Let them feel your calm. If you're anxious or framing it as a big deal, they will too.

Rooted Minds sees patients from age 5 through young adulthood (26). Our approach is tailored to each developmental stage — from playful, child-centered care for younger kids to the more autonomy-focused care we provide for young adults.

Absolutely not. Medication is one tool — not a requirement, and never the default. Many patients benefit from psychiatric care without any medication at all. Treatment decisions are always made collaboratively, with your full input and informed consent.

If medication is discussed, we walk through the reasoning, the options, the risks, the benefits, and the alternatives — until you feel genuinely informed and comfortable with the decision.

This is one of the most common concerns parents bring to us — and it's a completely valid one. The answer is: it depends, and we approach it with great care and caution.

Many psychiatric medications have established safety profiles for children and adolescents, and for some conditions, medication can be genuinely life-changing. We always weigh the risks against the risks of leaving a condition untreated — which are also real.

We never rush to medicate. We discuss every option, explain our reasoning, and support you in making the decision that feels right for your family.

Finding the right medication — and the right dose — often takes time and adjustment. That's completely normal and expected, not a failure. We monitor closely, check in regularly, and adjust based on what we observe together.

If something isn't working or is causing uncomfortable side effects, we talk about it and make changes. You should never feel stuck in a treatment that isn't right for you.

We currently are a cash-pay-only practice with the intention to credential with different insurance providers. Please reach out directly for the most current information about accepted insurance plans, as this can change. We're committed to working with you to make care as accessible as possible — including helping you understand your benefits and what to expect in terms of costs.

Access to care matters deeply to us — it's part of why Rooted Minds exists. We take financial barriers seriously and will work with you to explore available options, including sliding scale fees where possible, and can help connect you to additional community resources if needed.

Please don't let cost be the reason you don't reach out. Have the conversation with us first.

Fees vary depending on the type of visit. Initial visits are $300 with follow-up visits being $150, ADHD evaluations start at $350.

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

For mental health crisis support, please contact:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
• Your local emergency services — 911

Crisis work is deeply central to this practice and to the provider's background. For existing patients, we have protocols to support you through periods of acute crisis, including urgent appointments and coordination with crisis resources.

For new patients in crisis, we'll do our best to see you as quickly as possible and will connect you with appropriate bridge resources in the meantime.

Reach out to us. As a family member or caregiver, you can schedule a consultation to talk through your concerns — even if the person you're worried about isn't ready to come in themselves.

We can help you understand what you're seeing, how to talk to your loved one, when to escalate, and what resources are available. You don't have to navigate this alone either.

Yes. What you share is protected by confidentiality laws (HIPAA). We take privacy seriously and we'll explain the limits of confidentiality clearly before we begin — so you always know exactly where you stand.

The exceptions to confidentiality are limited and legally defined: if there is imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or specific situations involving child safety. Outside of those circumstances, what you share stays here.

We go over this with you before anything else — clearly and honestly. In general, what you share in your appointments is private. Your parents won't receive a summary of what you said.

There are situations where we're required to inform parents or guardians — specifically when there is a safety concern. We'll explain those situations specifically before we begin, so there are no surprises. We believe you deserve to know the rules of this space before you decide what to share.

We can coordinate care with schools, therapists, pediatricians, and other providers — but only with your explicit written consent. We never share information without permission, and we'll be transparent about what's being shared and why.

Coordinated care is often in the best interest of the patient, and we're happy to support that — always with you in the loop and in control.