Psychiatry FAQs in Doylestown, PA
Whether you’re considering a psychiatric evaluation or seeking psychiatric care, Buckingham Psychiatry is here to provide comprehensive and holistic psychiatric services. Dr. Buinewicz is passionate about educating patients and empowering them to make informed decisions about their treatment. He welcomes patients from Doylestown, Philadelphia, Allentown, Bethlehem, Cherry Hill, Princeton and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
What is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is a field of medicine focused on optimizing mental health and the prevention and treatment psychiatric conditions. Psychiatrists specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating these disorders. Typically, conditions that fall under the umbrella of psychiatry include those that affect mood, behaviors and personality. Psychiatric treatment may include medications and/or therapy to help patients manage or overcome these conditions. The goal with psychiatric treatment is to restore a patient’s quality of life by improving mental health.
What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
There are a few key differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist. First, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A psychologist is not a medical doctor, and for this reason, they cannot prescribe medications. Therefore, a psychiatrist can provide a wider scope of care than a psychologist. Psychiatrists can diagnose conditions and provide a range of medications and therapies, while psychologists primarily focus on therapy.
What is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Psychiatrist?
Similar to psychologists, therapists are not medical doctors. Therapists are licensed mental health professionals, which means they can provide therapy services for mental health. However, they cannot prescribe medications, which is where psychiatrists have greater scope. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medications and offer therapy services to improve mental health.
How Much Does a Psychiatry Appointment Cost?
Buckingham Psychiatry and Jacob Buinewicz, MD are not on any insurance panels. However, Dr. Buinewicz can provide clients with a receipt for each session that can be submitted to one’s insurance company. Patients considering treatment with Dr. Buinewicz are encouraged to contact their insurance company and ask (1) what coverage they have for out-of-network providers, (2) whether there are any limits on the number of visits per calendar year, and (3) how much the company will reimburse per session. It is your responsibility to understand your insurance coverage. Please contact us today to learn more about our fee schedule.
When to See a Psychiatrist?
If you are struggling with any mental health concerns, it may be appropriate to see a psychiatrist. Some of the most common reasons for seeing a psychiatrist include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Mood swings
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
Additionally, any patient who has received a psychiatric diagnosis can benefit from seeing a psychiatrist and developing a plan for care.
How to Get a Referral to a Psychiatrist
At Buckingham Psychiatry, we don’t require that patients have a referral to see a psychiatrist. However, some psychiatrists do require a referral, and in many cases, a referral may be required to receive health insurance coverage for your psychiatric treatments. If you are seeking a referral to a psychiatrist, you will need to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician and ask if they will provide you with a referral.
How Long is a Psychiatry Appointment?
At Buckingham Psychiatry, the length of your appointment will depend on the treatments or therapies provided. All care starts with an initial evaluation, which is a 90-minute appointment that allows a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation. Based on this evaluation, an individualized treatment plan is developed and may include therapy, medications or both. The length of follow-up appointments is dependent on the treatment plan that is collaboratively agreed upon during the initial evaluation.
If you have any other questions about psychiatry or the services available at Buckingham Psychiatry, do not hesitate to reach out today. Dr. Buinewicz is happy to answer any questions you may have or help you schedule your initial evaluation. Buckingham Psychiatry is proud to serve the community of Bucks County and others living in and around Cherry Hill, Bethlehem and Philadelphia, PA.