What are psychiatric services?
Sometimes psychiatric consultation is recommended in addition to ongoing counseling at Counseling & Consultation (C&C). Our staff consists of psychiatrists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and a psychiatric resident. An evaluation by these professionals may be recommended if your counseling provider (social worker, psychologist, or professional counselor) suspects that medical factors may be contributing to your problem or that medications might be helpful in alleviating distressing symptoms you are experiencing.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist/psychiatric nurse practitioner and a social worker/counselor/psychologist?
Psychiatric providers are medically trained as physicians or nurse practitioners. They have specialized training in mental health and behavioral sciences and have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological and behavioral concerns, including the use of medication and psychotherapy. Social workers and counselors have a master’s degree in social work or counseling, and psychologists have a doctorate in counseling or clinical psychology. They generally focus on situational/environmental and psychological causes of emotional and behavioral difficulties. In Arizona, social workers, counselors and psychologists do not prescribe medicine.

What will happen during my appointment with the psychiatric provider?
Your first appointment with the psychiatric provider will typically last about an hour. During this initial evaluation, she/he will want to discuss your concerns and symptoms, as well as any medical or emotional problems you or any family members have experienced. The psychiatric provider will also ask about your use of medications, drugs, and alcohol.

Does seeing a psychiatric provider mean I will be put on medications?
No. The psychiatric provider will make recommendations based on this initial evaluation. It will be your decision to accept or decline those recommendations. If it appears that medication would be useful, the provider will discuss with you what is involved in taking this medication, such as benefits, risks, side effects, medication and dietary restrictions, and alternatives to the medication treatment. It is extremely important that you have sufficient information and time to make an informed decision about your treatment. You are encouraged to be open with the provider and ask any questions you might have.

What if I stop taking medication?
Stopping medication is, of course, your choice. However, please discuss this with your counseling and psychiatric providers before doing so. Some medications require a gradual and medically supervised tapering of dosage before they can be stopped safely.

How do I make an appointment to receive psychiatric services when I am not currently being seen by a counselor?
To receive psychiatric services you must first make an appointment for a personal consultation with a member of the C&C counseling staff. During this appointment, you will meet with a counseling provider to help you determine the best course of action, including whether a psychiatric evaluation could be helpful for you. If so, you may be seen by a member of our psychiatric staff, or you may be given referrals to psychiatric services in the community. C&C is only able to offer limited psychiatric services. Should this be the case for you, we will make every effort to help you access psychiatric services in the Phoenix metropolitan community. To schedule a personal consultation, call or visit us at either office location.

How do I make use of these services if I am currently receiving counseling services from C&C?
If you are already participating in counseling at C&C, discuss a referral to psychiatric services with your counseling provider. He/she will be able to discuss your options as well as inform you of fees for using psychiatric services.

Will information from my appointment with the psychiatric provider be entered into my records at the counseling center?
Your counseling provider enters basic information in your C&C counseling file, such as the fact that you were referred to a psychiatric provider. Additional information that is noted might include whether you attended your appointment, the outcome of the meeting, and your reaction to any medication you were prescribed. Psychiatric providers maintain C&C psychiatric files. These files contain more specific information such as the psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, treatment plan, type and amount of medication prescribed and your reactions to the medication. Since your counselor and psychiatric provider are both staff members at C&C, they may share information in order to coordinate treatment. However, all records (counseling as well as psychiatric) are confidential and no information will be released outside of C&C without notifying you and obtaining your written consent to release the information. Exceptions to this policy are made when there is the possibility of imminent danger to self or others, child/dependent abuse, court order, or where otherwise required by law.

Psychiatrists also indicate your attendance at a psychiatric appointment in your medical record at the ASU Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC). No additional information pertaining to any counseling and/or psychiatric services you receive is maintained in your medical record by the psychiatric provider. Questions about SHWC medical records should be directed to their physicians.

IF YOU ARE BEING PRESCRIBED MEDICATION PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

• You must plan ahead for prescription refills.
• Psychiatric providers are not available at all times to respond to unexpected requests for refills.
• No medication refills will be given after 3:00 p.m. Friday.
• Stimulant medications (for ADHD) will be refilled only during a scheduled monthly appointment with your provider.
• Lost stimulant prescriptions or pills will not be replaced.