Frequently asked questions

Call the office on (281) 503-4673, email linda@serenityfamilypsychiatry.com, or send the form on our contact page. Tell us briefly what you are looking for and whether you plan to use insurance, and we will do the rest.

Not usually. Most clients contact us directly. Some insurance plans do require a referral from a primary care provider before they will cover psychiatric care, so it is worth checking your plan, and we can help you work that out.

The first appointment is a full psychiatric evaluation. We talk through your history, your current symptoms, anything you have tried before and what you want to be different. It is a conversation, not an interrogation. You leave with a plan, and nothing starts without your agreement.

Photo ID, your insurance card if you are using insurance, and a list of any medications you currently take, including doses. If you have had psychiatric care before and can bring records or the names of previous medications, that is helpful but not essential.

We are a small practice and we keep waits short. Contact us and we will tell you honestly what is available. If we cannot see you soon enough for what you need, we will say so.

Yes. We care for clients across the lifespan, from children and adolescents through to older adults. For anyone under 18, a parent or legal guardian needs to attend the first appointment and give consent for treatment.

Yes. Linda is fluent in English and French, and appointments can be held in either language. Please mention which you prefer when you book.

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar I and II, PTSD, schizophrenia, grief and personality disorders, among others. Our services page goes through each in detail. If your concern is not listed, contact us anyway and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.

Yes. As a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Linda provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management. We talk through the benefits, the possible side effects and the alternatives before anything is prescribed, and the decision is always yours.

No. Medication is one option, not a requirement. Many clients do well with brief psychotherapy, coping strategies and lifestyle change. We will give you our honest clinical opinion, and then you decide.

We offer brief psychotherapy, which is short term and strategic. It focuses on coping mechanisms for stress management and practical techniques you can use straight away. If you need longer term, in depth therapy, we will help you find the right therapist for that alongside your psychiatric care.

It depends on what is going on. Early in treatment, or after a medication change, appointments are usually closer together. As things settle, follow ups spread out. You will always know when your next appointment is before you leave.

Tell us. Plans are reviewed and adjusted, and that is a normal part of the process rather than a failure. Finding the right approach sometimes takes more than one attempt, and we would rather you say something than quietly stop coming.

Yes. In person appointments run Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm at our Cypress Creek office, and virtual appointments are available the rest of the day. Many clients mix the two.

Yes. Licensing rules mean we can only provide telehealth to clients who are physically located in Texas at the time of the appointment.

A phone, tablet or computer with a camera, a reliable internet connection, and a private space where you will not be overheard. We will send you the link before your appointment.

We are in network with Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Evernorth, Oscar Health, Oxford and UnitedHealthcare (UHC | UBH). Full detail is on our insurance and fees page.

Self pay sessions start at $150. A sliding scale is available if you may be eligible, so please raise it when you contact the office. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and cash.

Yes. Call us with your plan name, member ID and group number, and we will find out whether we are in network for your specific plan and what your appointment will cost. There is no charge for asking.

Yes. Your care is confidential and protected under HIPAA. There are narrow legal exceptions, mainly where there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or where a court orders disclosure. We will explain these at your first appointment.

Not from us. We do not share information with employers, family members or anyone else without your written permission. For clients under 18, parents or guardians are involved as part of care.

Yes. You have the right to request a copy of your medical records. Contact the office and we will explain the process and any timescales.