Practice Policies

My goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care in an environment built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. These policies are designed to create clear expectations, support open communication, and promote a safe and effective therapeutic relationship.

My Commitment to You

As your psychiatric provider, I am committed to:

• Providing compassionate, evidence-based, trauma-informed psychiatric care.
• Respecting your dignity, values, and lived experiences.
• Collaborating with you through shared decision-making.
• Listening without judgment and creating a supportive environment.
• Communicating openly and honestly about treatment recommendations.
• Respecting your privacy and confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws.
• Responding to routine communications within expected timeframes.
• Providing care that is professional, respectful, and individualized.

Your Role in Your Care

Successful psychiatric care is a partnership. Patients are encouraged to:

• Attend appointments as scheduled.
• Provide accurate and complete health information.
• Communicate changes in symptoms, medications, or health concerns.
• Ask questions and participate actively in treatment decisions.
• Discuss concerns about treatment openly.
• Take medications only as prescribed and communicate before making medication changes whenever possible.
• Treat providers and staff with courtesy and respect.

Practice Model

Whole Path Psychiatry and Wellness is a private-pay, telehealth psychiatric practice serving adults throughout Massachusetts.

Services include psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, and ongoing psychiatric care.

Treatment is individualized and grounded in evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, and shared decision-making. The practice recognizes the importance of addressing the whole person, including emotional, physical, and social factors that influence mental wellness.

Emergencies

Whole Path Psychiatry and Wellness is not an emergency or crisis service.

If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, thoughts of harming yourself or others, or believe your safety is at immediate risk:

• Call 911.
• Go to the nearest Emergency Department.
• Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Telehealth

Appointments are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.

Clients agree to:

• Attend appointments from a private location whenever possible.
• Be physically located in Massachusetts at the time of each appointment unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.
• Ensure access to reliable internet and appropriate audio/video technology.

Additional information regarding telehealth services is provided in the Telehealth Informed Consent.

Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation

Whole Path Psychiatry and Wellness offers a complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultation for prospective patients.

This consultation provides an opportunity to:

• Learn about the practice.
• Discuss your goals for care.
• Ask general questions about services.
• Determine whether the practice may be an appropriate fit.

This consultation is informational only and:

• Does not establish a patient-provider relationship.
• Is not a psychiatric evaluation.
• Does not include diagnosis.
• Does not include treatment recommendations or medication prescribing.
• Is not intended for urgent or emergency concerns.

If another provider or level of care appears better suited to your needs, reasonable efforts will be made to provide appropriate resources or referrals when possible.

Private Pay and Insurance

Whole Path Psychiatry and Wellness operates as a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly.

Upon request, patients may receive a superbill that may be submitted to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Insurance reimbursement varies by plan and cannot be guaranteed. Patients remain responsible for all fees regardless of insurance reimbursement.

Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Accepted forms of payment may include credit card, debit card, HSA/FSA cards, and other electronic payment methods available through the patient portal.

A valid payment method must remain on file.

Cancellation and Missed Appointments

Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with at least 48 business hours’ notice (two business days) will not incur a fee.

Notice must be provided during regular business days and does not include weekends or holidays.

For example, an appointment scheduled for Monday generally requires cancellation by the preceding Thursday at the same appointment time.

Appointments cancelled with less than 48 business hours’ notice or missed without notice will be charged the applicable late cancellation fee listed in the current fee schedule.

Because appointment times are reserved specifically for each patient, late cancellations and missed appointments may limit availability for other patients. Repeated missed appointments or frequent late cancellations may impact the ability to continue treatment.

Unexpected emergencies and extenuating circumstances will always be considered on an individual basis.

Communication

Routine questions may be submitted through the secure patient portal or voicemail.

Messages are reviewed during normal business hours.

While every effort will be made to respond promptly, routine messages are generally answered within 1–2 business days.

Electronic communication should not be used for emergencies or urgent situations requiring immediate assistance.

Medication Refills

Medication refill requests should be submitted through the patient portal whenever possible.

Please request refills at least five business days before medication is needed.

Refill requests are processed during regular business hours and may require an appointment depending on clinical circumstances, medication type, and timing of the last visit.

Controlled Medications

Controlled medications require careful evaluation and ongoing monitoring.

Whole Path Psychiatry and Wellness does not prescribe Schedule II stimulant medications as part of its telehealth practice model.

When controlled medications are prescribed, additional monitoring, follow-up visits, or safety measures may be required.

Clinical decisions regarding medications are made collaboratively based on individual risks, benefits, and treatment goals.

Forms and Administrative Requests

Completion of forms, letters, disability paperwork, FMLA documentation, school or workplace accommodation forms, prior authorizations, and similar administrative requests requires time outside of scheduled appointments.

Routine paperwork requests are subject to a $50 administrative fee per request.

If a request is unusually extensive or requires significant review, additional fees may apply. Any additional fees will be discussed in advance whenever possible.

Please allow 7–10 business days for completion of administrative requests.