Psychiatric Evaluations in Tempe, AZ
A thorough conversation with a psychiatric provider about what has been going on, what might be behind it, and what could help.
Cost.$300self-pay. Sliding scale available.
Earliest appointment.Typically 3 to 5 business days.
Accepting new patients.Yes, right now.
What an evaluation is, and what it is not
An evaluation is one appointment of about 60 minutes with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. They will ask about your history, what you have been experiencing, how you have been sleeping, anything you have tried before, and what you are hoping will change.
It is not therapy, and it is not a test you can fail. It also does not commit you to taking anything. Plenty of evaluations end with a recommendation for therapy and no medication at all.
You can read more about adult ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety on our conditions pages.
Who does the evaluation
Patricia Inman, DNP, APRN, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Evaluations and medication managementPatricia Inman, DNP, APRN, PMHNP, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience in psychiatric and mental health care. Her background spans outpatient psychiatry, inpatient behavioral health, psychiatric crisis services, and nursing leadership. Patricia provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management, drawing on advanced training in psychopharmacology, diagnostic assessment, integrated behavioral health, and trauma-informed care. She takes an evidence-based, patient-centered approach focused on understanding each patient’s individual needs and developing a thoughtful, collaborative plan for treatment.
In person in Tempe or by video anywhere in Arizona. English.
Every psychiatric evaluation at PATH is performed by our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
What happens in the appointment
Plan for about 60 minutes. Nearly all of it is conversation.
You will be asked about:- What has been happening, and for how long
- Sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration
- Anything you have tried before
- Your medical history and anything else that could be affecting how you feel
- Current medications and supplements
- Family history
- What you want to be different
With your consent, a family member, caregiver or other support person may attend and take part, where that is clinically appropriate.
What to bring
- A current list of every medication and supplement you take
- A photo ID
- Any relevant records from previous providers, if you have them
- Any questions you want answered. Writing them down beforehand helps more than people expect.
What you leave with
- Her impressions, explained in plain language rather than jargon
- A recommendation, which may be therapy, medication, both, or neither
- A prescription, if you and she agree on one
- A plan for follow-up
Formal documentation, if you need it for work, school or another provider, is generally completed within 2 to 3 business days.
What it costs
Initial psychiatric evaluation
About 60 minutes.$300Medication management follow-up
Typically 20 to 30 minutes.$150Sliding scale
We offer sliding-scale rates for patients experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility and the reduced rate are worked out case by case, based on your circumstances. Call and ask; you do not need to explain yourself in writing first.
Commercial insurance
We are not in network with commercial insurance plans. You can pay yourself at the rates above, and we provide a superbill on request, which you may submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Whether you are reimbursed, and how much, depends on your own benefits and is not guaranteed.
Good Faith Estimate
If you are paying yourself or using out-of-network benefits, you will receive a written Good Faith Estimate of what your care will cost before your first appointment. That is your right under federal law.
Cancellations
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. If you are paying yourself, cancelling with less than 24 hours' notice, or not showing up at all, is a $100 fee for an individual or couples appointment ($75 if that is your session rate), or $40 for a group session. You also get a 15-minute grace period: if you have not arrived or joined by then, your clinician may mark it a no-show. Emergencies and genuinely unusual circumstances are handled case by case.
Getting started
1Request an appointment online, or call. It takes a few minutes.
2A short phone call within one business day. We find you the right provider and tell you what it will cost.
3Your evaluation. Usually within 3 to 5 business days of that call.
Questions people ask
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly.
Do I see a psychiatrist?
No. Evaluations here are done by a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). In Arizona, nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose and prescribe on their own, so an evaluation here covers what most people are looking for when they search for a psychiatrist.
Will I leave with a prescription?
Not necessarily, and it is worth going in without that expectation. The point of the appointment is to work out what would actually help.
Can I do this by video?
Yes, anywhere in Arizona, and you can be seen in person at our Tempe office instead if you would rather. It is the same hour either way. If your clinician needs to see you in person before deciding something, they will tell you.
How long does it take?
About 60 minutes.
Can someone come with me?
Yes. With your consent a family member, caregiver or support person may attend and take part, where that is clinically appropriate.
What if I am already taking medication?
Bring the full current list. Patricia will review what you are taking before suggesting any change.
When do I get formal documentation?
Generally within 2 to 3 business days of the evaluation. You leave the appointment itself with a written summary.
What if I decide against medication?
That is entirely your decision, and it will not affect your care here.
What if I need to cancel?
Give us at least 24 hours' notice. The full policy, including the late fee and the grace period, is under What it costs above.
Sixty minutes, and you leave with the reasoning.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm · Saturday, 9am to 2pm
