What to Expect During Your First Visit to a Psychiatrist: A Patient's Guide

Walking into your first appointment with a psychiatrist can make you feel anxious, but knowing what to expect can help ease your nerves and make the visit more productive. 

Here at Ketamine Health & Wellness Clinics of Ohio our mental health experts know the importance of taking that first step toward finding relief and achieving better mental health. We’re here to help you understand what typically happens during that initial visit and to relax your concerns.

Initial assessment and paperwork

Your first visit begins with some paperwork. You need to provide your medical history, list any medications you're currently taking, and detail your symptoms and concerns. This information is essential for our team to understand your background and tailor a treatment plan to your needs.

Meeting your mental health practitioner

This is an opportunity to build a rapport and discuss your mental health journey. We ask questions about your symptoms, how long you've been experiencing them, and how they impact your daily life. Be honest and open; the more information you provide, the better we can help.

Addressing concerns and questions

Your first visit is also a time to address your concerns or questions. Whether it's about how to manage expectations or about various treatments and potential side effects, don't hesitate to ask. We’re here to provide support and ensure you feel comfortable and informed.

Discussing treatments

Our aim is to work with you to address your condition and improve your mental health. In addition to general psychiatry, we offer treatments such as ketamine therapy, which has shown promising results in treating depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions. 

If you’re a candidate, we discuss the potential benefits and risks, the treatment process, and how it may differ from other therapies you've tried. We discuss other treatment options as well.

Physical examination

A brief physical examination may be part of your first visit — checking your blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs. This step ensures that you're physically healthy enough to undergo ketamine therapy or other treatments. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you need to discuss them at this stage.

Treatment plan

Expect to wrap up your first visit with a personalized treatment plan. Our team can explain the frequency and duration of ketamine therapy, for example, as well as what you can expect during and after treatment.

We also may recommend some lifestyle adjustments, such as dietary changes, exercise, or mindfulness practices, to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

We want you to approach your first appointment with confidence and a sense of preparedness. We’re here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and provide the best possible psychiatric care tailored to your needs.

Contact us today at our office in Dublin, Ohio, to schedule your visit. We look forward to partnering with you in your journey toward better mental health.