What happens in your first telepsychiatry appointment
Your first telepsychiatry appointment is a full psychiatric evaluation conducted over secure video, covering your history, current symptoms, and goals, ending with a working diagnosis and an initial treatment plan in most cases. Not knowing what to expect is one of the biggest reasons people put off that first call.
Here's exactly what happens, minute by minute, so the unknown stops being the barrier.
Medically reviewed by David Boguslavsky, MD, Medical Director · November 4, 2026
What actually happens on your first call?
Before the call
You'll receive a secure video link by email or text. Find a private, quiet space, and have your insurance card and any current medications handy.
Check-in and intake
A brief intake confirms your information and insurance, then your provider joins the call — no waiting room, no forms on a clipboard.
The full evaluation
A 45-minute conversation covering your current symptoms, history, family background, and what brought you in. This is the same depth of evaluation you'd get in person.
Diagnosis and plan
Your provider discusses what they're seeing, answers your questions, and proposes a treatment plan — medication, therapy, or both — tailored to you.
After the call
Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy. One exception to starting by video: adults starting a Schedule II stimulant for ADHD (such as amphetamine salts/Adderall or lisdexamfetamine/Vyvanse) need an in-person visit first, under New Jersey law. You'll also have a follow-up appointment scheduled before you log off.
Know exactly what to expect before you call.
Most new patients are seen within a week, with evening and Saturday hours.
New patient? Register online to get started.
Will it feel less personal than an in-person visit?
Most patients are surprised by how natural a video visit feels once it starts. The conversation, the depth of questions, and the time taken are identical to an in-person evaluation — the only difference is the screen between you. For some people, talking from the comfort and privacy of their own home actually makes it easier to open up than a clinical office would.
We use a HIPAA-compliant video platform — no app download required. You receive a one-click link by email or text before your appointment. The main setup tip: find a room where you won't be interrupted and put your phone on silent. Headphones can help with audio clarity if you're in a noisier space. If the video connection drops during the visit, your provider can switch immediately to a phone call so the appointment continues without rescheduling.
See our telepsychiatry page for more on how virtual care works at QuietMind Health, or our telepsychiatry vs. in-person guide if you're still deciding which format is right for you.
How soon can I be seen?
Most new patients are seen within a week, with evening and Saturday hours specifically built for people who can't take time off work for a daytime visit. We verify your coverage before your first visit so cost is never a surprise.
See our first visit page for more on getting started, or our insurance page for the full list of plans we accept.
Does Medicaid cover telepsychiatry appointments?
Yes. NJ Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare currently pay for video visits at the same rate as office visits, so your coverage is the same either way. For Medicaid-covered patients, telepsychiatry removes the single biggest access barrier: finding a psychiatrist who accepts your plan, takes new patients, and can see you within a reasonable timeframe. A device with a camera is all you need.
QuietMind Health accepts NJ Medicaid — NJ FamilyCare, standard NJ Medicaid, CHIP, and the managed care plans: Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Fidelis Care (formerly WellCare), Horizon NJ Health, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup). Because most of our care is delivered by telepsychiatry, there is no transportation barrier and no need to take a full day off work for an appointment that is available from your phone. People with Medicaid coverage often have the hardest time finding a psychiatrist who accepts their plan and takes new patients — we built QuietMind Health to close that gap. See all insurance we accept.
Get Expert Mental Health Care
Complete this form and our compassionate team will contact you within one business day to discuss your mental health needs and answer any questions you may have.
About Your First Telepsychiatry Appointment
What do I need before my first telepsychiatry appointment?
A private space with internet access, a device with a camera, your insurance card, and a list of any current medications. We send a secure video link by email or text before your visit.
How long is a first telepsychiatry visit?
Initial evaluations run 45 minutes, giving your provider time to understand your full history rather than rushing through a checklist.
Will I get a diagnosis and treatment plan on the first call?
Often, yes. Most first visits end with a working diagnosis and an initial treatment plan, though some cases benefit from a follow-up visit once initial recommendations have had time to take effect.
Is telepsychiatry covered by my insurance the same as in-person visits?
Most plans cover video visits like office visits, and we confirm your cost before your first visit. New Jersey currently requires state-regulated plans and NJ Medicaid to pay for video visits at the same rate as office visits. We accept nearly every major commercial plan, Medicare, and New Jersey Medicaid, including NJ FamilyCare.
What if I have technical problems during my appointment?
Our staff can switch you to a phone call if video isn't working, so a connectivity issue doesn't have to mean rescheduling your appointment.