Frequently asked questions

Yes. Joy Integrative Psychiatry is a telehealth practice. All appointments take place by secure, HIPAA-compliant video. You'll need to be physically located in Arizona during each visit.

Not at this time. The practice is telehealth-only and does not offer in-person appointments.

Children age 6 and older, adolescents and adults.

Yes. We see children starting at age 6. A parent or legal guardian participates in the evaluation and consents to treatment, and we often coordinate with pediatricians, therapists and schools (with your permission). Learn about child and adolescent care.

Most patients can schedule directly without a referral. Some insurance plans require a referral for specialty care, so check your plan. Professionals can find referral details on our referrals page.

Use the Book an Appointment page to request a new-patient visit through our secure patient portal, or call 480-685-4569.

Yes, in children (6+), teens and adults. Care starts with a thorough evaluation, and treatment may include medication, practical strategies and coordination with school or therapy. Learn about ADHD care.

Yes. Anxiety and depression are among the most common reasons people seek psychiatric care. See our pages on anxiety and depression.

Yes. As a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and APRN, Erika evaluates, diagnoses and prescribes psychiatric medications when they're appropriate, and monitors them over time. Medication is always a shared decision, and it isn't the right answer for everyone.

When clinically appropriate, yes. This includes ADHD stimulants. Controlled medications are prescribed only after a thorough evaluation and in line with federal (DEA) and Arizona requirements. These include checking the Arizona Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program, a treatment agreement and regular follow-up visits, and sometimes additional monitoring. A prescription is never guaranteed. Federal telehealth rules for controlled medications have been extended on a temporary basis; if they change, we'll explain what that means for your care.

Joy Integrative Psychiatry focuses on psychiatric evaluation and medication management. Many people benefit from therapy alongside psychiatric care, and we're glad to coordinate with your therapist or help you find one. Psychiatry vs. therapy: what's the difference?

Both are licensed to evaluate, diagnose and treat mental health conditions and to prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a physician (MD or DO). A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse with graduate education and national board certification in psychiatric care. In Arizona, nurse practitioners practice independently.

Your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We'll discuss what brings you in, your symptoms, mental health and medical history, medications, sleep, substance use, family history, daily life and goals. At the end, you'll talk through initial impressions and a plan together. Read more about the first visit.

Plan for about 60 minutes for an initial evaluation. Child and adolescent evaluations may take a little longer because we talk with both the child and parent or guardian.

Follow-ups are shorter telehealth visits, usually 20 to 30 minutes, to review progress, side effects and next steps. Early in treatment they may be every few weeks; once things are stable they're typically spaced further apart.

Telehealth visits work much like in-person visits, just by video. You'll need a private space, a device with a camera and a reliable internet connection. What telehealth psychiatry is really like.

Yes, we are in-network with plans including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, Health Net and Carelon Behavioral Health. See Insurance & Payment.

We are currently in-network with 1199SEIU, Aetna, Allegiance, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carelon Behavioral Health, Centivo, Cigna and Evernorth, Cigna EAP, Curative, Health Net, Meritain Health, MotivHealth, Nippon Life Benefits and Wellfleet. Please call 480-685-4569 with your plan details so we can confirm.

This practice cannot respond to emergencies. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the Arizona Crisis Line at 1-844-534-4673. More crisis resources.