The First Step

Beginning care for your mental and emotional health can feel like a big and uncertain step. You may be wondering whether behavioral medicine is right for you, what treatment will involve, or how medication and therapeutic support work together. These questions are not only normal—they are an important part of taking ownership of your health and healing. Behavioral medicine focuses on the connection between your mind, brain, and body, recognizing that emotional wellbeing, physical health, and daily functioning are deeply intertwined. Whether you are seeking relief from anxiety, depression, stress, sleep difficulties, or challenges with focus, mood, or recovery, care is designed to meet you where you are—with compassion, clinical expertise, and a personalized plan. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of readiness—for clarity, stability, and lasting wellness. The information below is meant to answer common questions, ease uncertainty, and help you feel more confident as you take this important first step toward healing.

Why Choosing the Right Mental Health Provider Matters

Selecting a mental health provider is one of the most important decisions you can make for your wellbeing. While psychologists, therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners all play valuable roles in mental healthcare, their educational pathways, clinical training, and areas of expertise differ considerably. Understanding these differences can help you choose the provider who best meets your individual needs.

Licensed Psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.):

Licensed Psychologists complete one of the highest levels of training in behavioral healthcare. They earn both master's and doctoral degrees, followed by a year-long accredited internship, supervised postdoctoral training, and national and state licensing examinations. Most psychologists complete well over 10,000 hours of education, supervised clinical experience, research, and advanced training before independent practice.

Psychologists receive extensive training in:

Comprehensive psychological and diagnostic assessment
Psychological testing and neurocognitive evaluation
Differential diagnosis
Neuroscience and human behavior
Evidence-based psychotherapy
Research methodology and outcome evaluation
Complex psychiatric and medical presentations

Because of this depth of training, psychologists are uniquely qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a broad range of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and personality disorders. They are also the primary specialists trained to administer and interpret comprehensive psychological testing and are often responsible for training and supervising master's-level clinicians during their graduate education.

Master's-Level Therapists and Counselors:

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and other master's-level clinicians provide valuable mental health services and are highly skilled in psychotherapy, counseling, crisis intervention, and helping individuals navigate life's challenges. Their graduate education typically includes approximately 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical training focused on counseling theory, therapeutic techniques, and supportive interventions. Master's-level clinicians play an essential role in behavioral healthcare and are exceptionally effective in providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy. However, their education generally includes less extensive training in psychological assessment, diagnostic testing, neuroscience, psychopathology, psychopharmacology, and complex differential diagnosis than doctoral-level psychologists.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs):

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who complete graduate nursing education with specialized training in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and medication management. Their education builds upon a nursing model that emphasizes patient care, health promotion, and the management of psychiatric conditions through psychopharmacology and supportive treatment. PMHNPs are highly qualified medication providers and play an essential role in expanding access to psychiatric care. Compared with doctoral psychologists, however, their training generally includes much less emphasis on comprehensive psychological testing, personality assessment, behavioral science, and the delivery of specialized evidence-based psychotherapies. Likewise, compared with psychiatrists, PMHNP educational programs are typically much shorter and do not include medical school or physician residency training.

An Integrated Approach to Psychology and Psychopharmacology:

In addition to Dr. Phan's doctoral training as a Licensed Psychologist, she completed a Post-Doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, an advanced program focused on neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, and psychiatric medication management. She also completed a 750-hour supervised clinical fellowship in psychopharmacology within an integrated primary care clinic, working alongside nurses and physicians to evaluate and manage patients with complex psychiatric and medical conditions with intensive training and consultation with a Board-Certified Psychiatrist. This advanced training allows her to understand not only the psychological factors contributing to emotional distress, but also the medical, neurological, hormonal, and pharmacological factors that frequently influence mental health. Dr. Phan's approach integrates psychotherapy, comprehensive psychological assessment, and psychopharmacology to provide thoughtful, evidence-based, whole-person care. Whether she is conducting a comprehensive evaluation, providing psychotherapy, or offering medication management, her goal is to identify the underlying contributors to a person's symptoms and not simply treat the symptoms themselves. By combining expertise in psychology with advanced medical and psychopharmacological training, she strives to provide patients with a comprehensive, collaborative, and individualized approach to healing.

COST

What does it cost? How do I pay for services?

Ongoing telehealth and in-office services are billed at $250 per 55-minute session and $300 for 60-75 minute initial intake session. For medication management, an initial medication evaluation is billed at $375 and a medication follow up is billed at $275. For psychological testing and evaluation services, the fee will vary dependent on the specific testing need, but Dr. Phan's typical testing fee ranges from $250-500/hr. Payment will be collected each time you meet with your provider. We accept electronic forms of payment including HSA and credit cards.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel at least 48 business hours prior; otherwise, you are responsible for the full session fee.

Insurance

Dr. Phan accepts Aetna and self-pay only. If you have Out-of-Network (OON) insurance benefits, in most cases a superbill can be provided so you can submit to your insurance company based on your plan coverage and rules for out-of-network reimbursement. Superbills are receipts that show you have paid for services out-of-pocket. Superbills require medical necessity, so a diagnosis must be assigned to each service.

Initial & Ongoing Sessions

What should I expect from the initial meeting?

The therapeutic relationship is going to be the building block for your growth and healing. It is important that you feel comfortable and confident with your provider. During the initial appointment, we will discuss what you would like to get help with and ascertain whether or not your provider is a good fit for you. If your provider is unable to meet you needs, you will be provided referrals for someone who may better serve you.

How often do I come in for services?

We will determine what would work for you once we meet. One session per week is typical for most people for therapy services. However, individuals in significant distress may benefit from twice-weekly sessions until they feel more stable. Others find that coming every other week is ideal. For medication management, your visit will typically involve a 60- to 90-minute evaluation initially and then follow up meetings as appropriate for your medication needs.