During your appointment with a psychiatrist, you can talk about your mental health concerns. You will find a welcoming, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where you can talk about your worries.
What does the psychiatrist do?
They welcome you and listen carefully to what you are going through. They help understand whether you may be experiencing a mental health condition. Then, they suggest treatments to help you feel better and live a happier, healthier life.
Who can benefit from seeing a psychiatrist?
Anyone who is experiencing emotional or mental distress at any age — from children to older adults — can seek support.
What does the psychiatrist do during the first appointment?
- Listens to your concerns.
- Asks questions about you, such as your age, marital status, sexual orientation, and so on.
- Explores how you are feeling.
- Reviews your health history, including medications, surgeries, and other conditions like anemia or high blood pressure.
- Asks about family health history.
- Goes over your lifestyle, including hobbies, habits, and sports.
- Talks about your life story, from childhood to the present. Note: at this stage, the psychiatrist may ask if you have experienced any trauma. If you prefer not to answer, it’s okay to say so.
- Assesses whether your difficulties are related to a mental health condition, and explains it if applicable.
- Discusses treatment options, such as therapy, medication, physical activity, and other strategies.
- Orders tests if needed, such as blood work, urine tests, or imaging.
- Answers your questions.
- Schedules your next appointment.
What can I share with the psychiatrist during the first appointment?
- Share the reason you came to see the doctor. Don’t worry — there’s no right or wrong way to talk about how you feel.
- Explain your symptoms, when they started, whether they’ve improved or worsened over time, if you’ve had any previous treatment, and whether anything makes you feel better or worse. Also mention if you’ve felt something similar in the past.
- If you remember, provide the names and dosages of any medications you are taking or have taken.
- Talk about your sleep and eating habits.
- Not sure what to say? Relax! The psychiatrist will ask questions to guide the conversation and understand how to help you.
- Ask questions and feel free to speak openly!
How long is a typical visit with a psychiatrist?
It depends on each psychiatrist. With me, the first visit usually takes about 2 hours, and follow-up visits are around 1 hour.
What is unique about seeing Dr. Gabriella Monteiro?
- Provides sensitive and compassionate listening.
- Gives a personal contact phone number to all patients.
- Discusses patient cases with the multidisciplinary team that supports them.
- Offers quick appointment scheduling.
- Prepares medical reports in English if needed.
- Provides appointments in English for foreign patients living in Brazil.
What is the cost of seeing a psychiatrist?
For details on the cost of appointments, click here.
Do you still have questions about psychiatric appointments? Feel free to ask in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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