New Patients
What to Expect
Making the first call to a psychiatrist can feel daunting. Here's exactly what happens from your first contact through ongoing treatment, so you know what to expect.
From First Call to Ongoing Care
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Making the First Call
Call (732) 530-3122 during office hours (Monday–Thursday, 9am–6pm). You'll speak with our staff about scheduling an initial evaluation. We'll ask basic information: your name, contact information, insurance, and a brief description of what brings you in. This call typically takes 5-10 minutes.
If you prefer, you can also request an appointment online and we'll call you back.
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Before Your First Appointment
Before your appointment, you'll receive intake paperwork. This includes questions about your medical history, psychiatric history, family history, current symptoms, and medications. Completing this paperwork beforehand saves time and allows Dr. Marcus to review your information before meeting you.
We'll also verify your insurance coverage and explain any costs you should expect.
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The Initial Evaluation
Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, typically lasting 45-60 minutes. Dr. Marcus will review your paperwork, ask detailed questions about your symptoms and history, and discuss your goals for treatment. This is a conversation, not an interrogation—you're encouraged to ask questions too.
By the end of this appointment, you'll have:
- A working diagnosis (or a plan to clarify the diagnosis)
- A recommended treatment approach
- Any prescriptions, if medication is indicated
- A follow-up appointment scheduled
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Early Follow-Up Appointments
In the first weeks and months of treatment, appointments are more frequent—typically every 2-4 weeks. This allows us to monitor your response to treatment, adjust medications if needed, and address any concerns. These appointments are usually 15-20 minutes.
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Ongoing Care
Once you're stable, appointments become less frequent—typically monthly or every few months, depending on your needs. We're available between appointments if concerns arise. The goal is to support your long-term stability while respecting your time.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
- Photo ID — Driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID
- Insurance card — Both front and back, or your insurance information
- Completed intake paperwork — If you received it beforehand
- List of current medications — Include doses, or bring the bottles
- List of past medications — Particularly psychiatric medications you've tried, what worked, and what didn't
- Medical records — If you have psychiatric records from previous providers, bring them or arrange to have them sent
- Questions — Write down anything you want to ask or discuss
Don't have everything? That's okay. If you don't have complete medical records or can't remember every medication you've tried, come anyway. We can work with what you have and gather more information over time.
What You'll Be Asked
During your evaluation, Dr. Marcus will ask about many aspects of your life and history. This isn't prying—it's necessary to understand your situation fully and develop an effective treatment plan. Questions may include:
Current Symptoms
- What's bothering you most right now?
- When did this start? What was happening in your life at the time?
- How are your symptoms affecting your daily life, work, relationships?
- What makes things better or worse?
Psychiatric History
- Have you had similar problems before? When?
- Have you seen a psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor before?
- What treatments have you tried? What helped? What didn't?
- Have you ever been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons?
Medical History
- Do you have any medical conditions?
- What medications are you currently taking?
- Any allergies to medications?
Family History
- Do any family members have psychiatric conditions (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, addiction)?
- Any family history of suicide?
Substance Use
- Do you drink alcohol? How much and how often?
- Do you use any drugs—prescription or otherwise?
- Have you ever felt your use was a problem or tried to cut back?
Life Situation
- What's your living situation? Work situation?
- Are you in a relationship? How is it going?
- What are the main stressors in your life?
- What are you hoping to get out of treatment?
You don't have to have perfect answers. If you're not sure about something or don't remember, just say so. The goal is to understand your situation as well as possible, not to test you.
Appointment Types & Duration
| Appointment Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Evaluation | 45-60 minutes | Comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, initial treatment plan |
| Follow-Up (Medication) | 15-20 minutes | Monitor medication effects, adjust doses, address concerns |
| Therapy Session | 45-50 minutes | Psychotherapy, talk therapy |
| Combined Session | 30-45 minutes | Medication management plus brief therapy |
| Telehealth | Varies | Same as in-person, conducted via video |
Insurance & Payment
We accept most major insurance plans. Before your first appointment, we'll verify your coverage and explain what costs, if any, you should expect.
If You Have Insurance
Give us your insurance information when you schedule. We'll verify your benefits and let you know:
- Whether we're in-network with your plan
- Your copay or coinsurance amount
- Whether you have a deductible that applies
- Any prior authorization requirements
If We're Out of Network
If we're not in-network with your insurance, you can still see us and potentially receive reimbursement. We provide superbills (detailed receipts) that you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. The amount you receive back depends on your specific plan.
Self-Pay
If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, our standard visit fee is $255 (effective 2026). We accept cash, check (established patients only), credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), HSA/FSA cards, Venmo, and Zelle. Credit card payments include a 3% processing fee.
Practice Policies
Cancellations & Missed Appointments
We understand that things come up. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give us at least 48 hours notice. This allows us to offer the appointment to another patient. Late cancellations (less than 48 hours) and missed appointments (no-shows) are charged the full fee of the visit.
Arriving Late
If you arrive late, we'll see you for the remaining time of your scheduled appointment. If you're more than 15 minutes late, we may need to reschedule to avoid impacting other patients.
Prescriptions & Refills
Prescription refills are handled during appointments. If you need a refill between appointments, call the office. Please allow 48-72 hours for refill requests to be processed. Controlled substance refills require an appointment. Please note: prescription refills will not be provided if an appointment is missed.
After-Hours & Emergencies
Brain Mind Harmony is not an emergency facility. For psychiatric emergencies (thoughts of suicide or self-harm, psychotic symptoms, severe intoxication or withdrawal), please call 988, go to your nearest emergency room, or call 911.
For established patients with urgent (but non-emergency) concerns after hours, you may text 917-204-5960. This is not for emergencies.
Communication
We communicate with patients by phone. For appointment scheduling and general questions, call (732) 530-3122 during office hours.
Telehealth Appointments
We offer telehealth (video) appointments for patients who prefer remote care or have difficulty traveling. Telehealth works well for most psychiatric appointments, including initial evaluations, medication management, and therapy.
What You Need for Telehealth
- A private space where you can speak freely without being overheard
- A device with camera and microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer)
- Stable internet connection
- You must be physically located in New Jersey during the appointment
Before your telehealth appointment, you'll receive instructions for connecting. Test your technology beforehand to avoid delays.
Questions?
If you have questions about what to expect or want to discuss whether Brain Mind Harmony is right for your needs, call us at (732) 530-3122. We're happy to answer questions before you commit to an appointment.