Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions most people have before reaching out.

If you don't find what you're looking for here, you're welcome to contact us directly. We'd rather you ask than wonder.

GETTING STARTED

New patients

  • Start by submitting a new patient request using the button on our website. We will reach out to confirm availability and fit, and walk you through next steps from there. You do not need a referral from another provider to request an appointment.

  • No referral is required. You can reach out directly. If you are coming from another prescriber or therapist, we may request records to ensure continuity of care, but this is not a requirement to get started.

  • Harborlight Psychiatric provides outpatient psychiatric care for adults. We are able to see patients who are physically located in Illinois at the time of each appointment. We are not able to see patients who are covered by Medicare, or patients who are court-mandated to treatment. If you are unsure whether we are a good fit, please reach out — we are happy to help you figure that out before you schedule.

  • No. As a private pay practice, Harborlight is not able to see patients with Medicare coverage, including patients who have both Medicare and a supplemental plan. This is a legal requirement that applies regardless of whether we would otherwise be a good clinical fit. We are happy to help you identify Medicare-covered psychiatric providers in your area if needed.

  • No. Harborlight does not provide court-mandated psychiatric treatment. This includes treatment ordered as part of legal proceedings, probation conditions, custody evaluations, or similar requirements. We are an outpatient private practice — not a forensic or court-affiliated provider.

FEES & PAYMENTS

What it costs

Harborlight is a private pay, cash-based practice

We do not bill insurance, participate in insurance networks, or accept Medicare or Medicaid. All fees are paid directly by the patient at the time of scheduling. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and superbills can be provided upon request for out-of-network reimbursement.

  • Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation (60 minutes): $475. Follow-Up Visit (25 minutes): $250. Extended / Complex Follow-Up Visit (50 minutes): $450. Comprehensive ADHD Evaluation with QbCheck (includes evaluation, at-home assessment, and follow-up): $825. Hormonal Mood & PMDD Evaluation (two 60-minute sessions): $825. QbCheck Assessment as a standalone add-on or repeat: $225. See our full fees page for a complete breakdown by service.

  • Harborlight Psychiatric is a private pay practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. We made this choice deliberately: it lets us spend real time with patients, make clinical decisions without an insurance company weighing in, and offer more flexibility in scheduling and care than a typical in-network practice can. HSA/FSA cards are accepted, and superbills can be provided upon request.

  • Yes. HSA and FSA cards are accepted for all services at Harborlight Psychiatric.

  • Yes. Superbills can be provided upon request, which you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement amounts and eligibility vary by plan, so we recommend checking with your insurer beforehand.

  • We ask for at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Appointments canceled with less than 48 hours' notice, or missed entirely, are subject to a cancellation fee. This policy allows us to offer that time to another patient who may need it.

APPOINTMENTS

What to expect

  • The initial evaluation is a comprehensive appointment — longer than a typical follow-up — where we take time to understand your history, current symptoms, prior treatments, and goals. We review any records you've shared, ask questions across multiple areas of your life and health, and begin forming a picture of what is happening and what would help. You will leave with a clear sense of our initial impressions and next steps.

  • Comprehensive evaluations — used for your initial visit, ADHD and PMDD evaluations, and deprescribing intake — are 60 minutes. Standard follow-up visits are 25 minutes, and we also offer an extended follow-up option at 50 minutes for situations that need more time, such as a significant medication change or a more complex conversation about your care. Follow-up appointments are unhurried. We do not rush through medication checks.

  • This depends on where you are in treatment. Patients who are new to care, starting or adjusting medication, or going through an active taper are typically seen more frequently at the start — sometimes every two to four weeks. Once things are stable, follow-up intervals may extend. We work with you to find a schedule that supports your care without being burdensome.

  • Not always. The first appointment is primarily an evaluation. If the clinical picture is clear and medication is appropriate, we may discuss starting something — but we do not prescribe before we have enough information to do so thoughtfully. Some patients leave the first appointment with a prescription; others leave with a plan and a follow-up.

TELEHEALTH

Remote Appointments

You must be physically located in Illinois at the time of your appointment

State licensing laws require that patients are in Illinois during telehealth visits. If you are traveling or temporarily out of state, your appointment will need to be rescheduled.

  • Yes, with some structure to it. Your first appointment is in person, which gives us the chance to do a thorough evaluation and start building a real clinical relationship. After that, most ongoing care can move to telehealth for your convenience, as long as you are physically located in Illinois at the time of each visit. In certain situations — including some medication management and specific clinical circumstances — an in-person visit will still be required periodically. We'll let you know upfront if that applies to your care, so there are no surprises.

  • We use PracticeQ, a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform for telehealth visits, scheduling, and patient communication. You will receive a link before your appointment, and no special software download is required — it's accessible from any device with a browser or camera.

  • If you are temporarily located outside Illinois, your telehealth appointment cannot proceed as scheduled. Please contact us as soon as you know you will be out of state so we can reschedule without a late cancellation fee. This requirement applies regardless of how briefly you are out of state.

  • If your treatment involves a controlled substance — including stimulant medications, benzodiazepines, or certain sleep medications — we require at least one in-person visit per year to continue prescribing. Outside of that requirement, ongoing telehealth visits are generally permitted between in-person appointments. We'll let you know upfront if this applies to your care.

MEDICATIONS & PRESCRIBING

How we approach medication

  • Yes. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner practice, Harborlight Psychiatric prescribes and manages psychiatric medications. Medication is one tool — we discuss the evidence, options, and tradeoffs with you, and decisions are made collaboratively.

  • Yes. Psychiatric evaluation and ongoing support do not require that you take medication. If you are interested in understanding your diagnosis, exploring non-medication approaches, or simply having a knowledgeable provider in your corner, that is a valid reason to be here.

  • Often, yes — but we review everything before continuing. We request records from your previous provider, evaluate whether the current regimen is appropriate, and discuss any changes with you before making them. We do not automatically continue prescriptions without our own clinical assessment.

  • Yes, when clinically appropriate. This includes stimulants for ADHD, benzodiazepines in specific circumstances, and sleep medications. Controlled substance prescribing involves additional monitoring and clear expectations around our prescribing relationship, which we discuss during the evaluation.

  • Yes. Deprescribing — the thoughtful, medically supervised reduction or discontinuation of psychiatric medications — is a specific service we offer. See our deprescribing page for more detail on how the process works and what to expect.

COORDINATION

Working with other providers

  • Yes, and we encourage it. With your written permission, we communicate with your therapist to keep treatment aligned. We do not require you to have a therapist, but for many conditions — anxiety, depression, ADHD, PMDD — the combination of psychiatric care and therapy tends to produce the best outcomes.

  • Yes, with your permission. Coordinating with your PCP — particularly for shared medications, physical health factors that affect mental health, or lab monitoring — is something we take seriously. We send records and notes when it is clinically relevant and when you have authorized us to do so.

  • We welcome referrals from therapists and other providers. Your patient can request an appointment directly through our website. With their permission, we are happy to communicate with you throughout their care. If you have questions about fit before referring, please reach out — we are glad to connect.

  • We provide clinical documentation for established patients when it is within our scope and clinically appropriate. We do not provide forensic evaluations, court-mandated documentation, or letters for legal proceedings. If you have a specific documentation need, please discuss it with us before assuming we can or cannot accommodate it. Fees may apply.

Still have questions? We'd rather you ask.

Reach out directly — we're happy to help you figure out if Harborlight is the right fit before you schedule.

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CONTACT US