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Booking a first appointment with a psychiatrist takes courage. It is normal to feel nervous, especially if you are not sure what will happen or worry you will be pressured into medication. Knowing what to expect can make the visit easier and more useful.
What the first appointment is for
The first visit is a psychiatric evaluation. Its purpose is to understand what you are experiencing, how long it has been going on, how it affects your life and what might be contributing to it. From there, the psychiatrist shares their impressions and talks with you about options. First evaluations are usually longer than follow-up visits.
What you will be asked
Expect questions about:
- What brings you in. Your symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Your mental health history. Past diagnoses, therapy, hospitalizations and medications, including what helped and what did not.
- Your medical history. Health conditions and current medications and supplements, since physical health and mental health affect each other.
- Substance use. Alcohol, cannabis and other substances. Honest answers matter here, because substances can cause or worsen symptoms and interact with medications.
- Family history. Mental health conditions or substance use in your family.
- Daily life. Sleep, appetite, work or school, relationships and stress.
- Safety. Questions about thoughts of self-harm are a routine part of every evaluation.
How to prepare
- Write down your main concerns and questions so you do not forget them.
- Bring a list of current medications and doses, including supplements.
- Note past medications you have tried and how they worked.
- If it helps, ask a trusted person to come with you.
- Think about your goals: what would feel better in three months?
Will I be prescribed medication?
Not necessarily. Medication may be recommended if it is likely to help, but it is your decision. A good psychiatrist explains the reasoning, possible benefits, side effects and alternatives, and answers your questions. Some people start medication after the first visit, some wait until they have more information and some focus on therapy instead.
What happens after
If you start a medication, follow-up visits are usually scheduled within a few weeks to see how it is working and adjust if needed. Over time, visits often become less frequent as things stabilize. Your psychiatrist may also recommend therapy, testing or other support. When those services are coordinated, everyone works from the same plan.
A note on honesty
Psychiatrists are not there to judge you. The more openly you share, including things that feel embarrassing, the more accurate and helpful your care will be.
Your first visit at Blackburn
At Blackburn Clinical Services, psychiatric care begins with a thorough evaluation, followed by ongoing medication management coordinated with therapy and other services. If substance use is part of the picture, our psychiatrists treat it together with mental health. Read how to find a psychiatrist in Los Angeles.
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Talk with our team
Blackburn Clinical Services is at 12326 Venice Blvd in Los Angeles, serving Venice, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Culver City and West Los Angeles. Call (888) 870 7405, email info@blackburnclinical.com or contact us to schedule an assessment.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Related care at Blackburn Clinical Services
- Psychiatric medication management in Los Angeles: evaluation and ongoing medication care, coordinated with therapy
- Addiction psychiatry in Los Angeles: psychiatric care for addiction and co-occurring conditions
- Conditions we treat: anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, trauma and more