Welcome to Essential Psychiatric Services, A Professional Nursing Corporation.

OUR SERVICES AND PHILOSOPHY:

We provide outpatient mental health services to adolescents(age 13 and up) and adults. Our services include psychiatric medication management with supportive therapy, telepsychiatry or in-office visits, support groups, clinical hypnotherapy, psycho-educational community groups, and consulting services.

We work with a wide range of psychiatric disorders  (Mood disorders, Psychotic disorders, Chronic Psychiatric disorders, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Addictive Disorders) providing trauma-informed care, and proper diagnosing is a goal of the initial visits. We believe in building on your strengths, including people you have identified as support persons, and practicing a philosophy of holistic care seeking to reconnect mind, body, and soul. We are committed to providing quality care and services for a diverse and inclusive population.

We utilize evidence-based treatments including traditional medications and therapy as well as alternative medicine practices such as supplements, medication, mindfulness practice, yoga, and lifestyle modifications.

EVALUATIONS AND TREATMENT:
Evaluations

The first step of treatment is the initial evaluation.  This evaluation may require multiple sessions, and may necessitate obtaining records from other providers or information from family and/or identified support person(s) to establish what the goals of treatment are (your treatment plan).

Medication Management

Medications may be indicated when your mental symptoms are not responsive to therapy alone. When a mental illness markedly impacts your ability to work, participate in your education, maintain interpersonal relationships, or properly care for your basic needs, medication may offer relief. If it is agreed that medications are indicated, we will discuss with you all of the medication options that are available to treat your current condition. We will present information in a language that you can understand. You will learn how the medication works, its dosage, and frequency, its expected benefits, possible side effects, drug interactions, and any withdrawal effects you may experience if you stop taking the medication abruptly. By the end of the discussion, you will have all the information you need to make a rational decision as to which medication is right for you.

Limitations of Essential Psychiatric Services 

The clinician(s) of Essential Psychiatric Services, are dedicated to providing the highest level of care for their patients in treating and addressing their mental health needs. However, there are some services not provided in this practice.

Our psychiatric practice is outpatient. We do not follow patients in the hospital or see patients while hospitalized, rather, upon discharge. When hospitalization should occur/become necessary, The Crisis Center, inpatient treatment facility or hospital typically provides an in-patient psychiatrist. Please call to schedule an appointment with us within 7 days of discharge. You must be seen promptly. Please make sure to save your discharge paperwork and let us know this is a post-hospitalization visit.  

CONTACTING YOUR PROVIDER:

Your treatment, privacy, and confidentiality are a priority of Essential Psychiatric Services and the following policies are a reflection of this. You will be given access to a secure communication portal. This portal will provide you with secure appointment reminders, secure document sharing, texting, and emailing. This is the best way to communicate with us. We do not take calls or answer emails or texts while with patients. Because we are often with patients when in the office we are often not immediately available to return calls. The goal is to return your phone call or the portal message within 48 hours. If you must leave a message please do so at (951) 366-0661. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please follow the instructions listed under emergency procedures these include calling 9-1-1 or going to the nearest emergency room.

CANCELLATIONS AND NO-SHOWS:

Please be sure to cancel 24 hours in advance whenever cancellation is necessary. This time is reserved for you and cannot be rescheduled on short notice. Patients are liable for payment of appointments not canceled within 24 work hours. Emergency cancellations may be exempt, depending on frequency. No shows may be charged the full rate. Remember frequent cancellation may result in termination of treatment.

TERMINATION OF TREATMENT:

Essential Psychiatric Services retains the right to decline or discharge patients if we believe initiating or continuing treatment of the patient would be harmful or unhelpful to the patient. Such situations include conditions beyond my scope of practice or skill level, nonpayment, noncompliance with treatment, aggression, misuse of prescriptions, or chronically missing appointments. We will do our best in such a case to offer suggestions for other providers.

 PROFESSIONAL FEES/REIMBURSEMENT/INSURANCE:

Agreement To Pay:

 I agree to pay my psychiatrist all charges for professional services. Your portion of payment due is expected at the time of service, as balances are not allowed to accumulate. Any accumulated charges must be paid before any subsequent visit. Payments may be made via debit card, major credit card, and Health Savings Account cards. * Contracted services are the exception

 Fees For Services:

 I understand that my psychiatrist may or may not participate with my insurance company. This includes private insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid. The patient is responsible for payment in full at the time of service.

 Insurance Benefits:

 I understand that my psychiatrist does not participate with all insurance companies. However, many insurance companies allow for Out-Of-Network provisions. In these situations, the patient can submit a form to their insurance company after each office visit and may be partially reimbursed for their costs. It is the patient’s responsibility to inquire about these services through their insurance company.

PRIVACY RIGHTS FOR MINORS:

Health & Safety Code § 124260 “[A] minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to [outpatient] mental health treatment or counseling services if, in the opinion of the attending professional person, the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in the mental health treatment or counseling services.” However, The health care provider is required to involve a parent or guardian in the minor’s treatment unless the health care provider decides that such involvement is inappropriate. This decision and any attempts to contact parents must be documented in the minor’s record. (Cal. Fam. Code § 6924; 45 C.F.R. 164.502(g

 Psychiatric evaluation and medication treatment in a minor 

 Essential Psychiatric Services providers may determine that standard medication treatment of a juvenile requires adult participation to assess risks and benefits of treatment, to ensure treatment is properly implemented, and to assess possible therapeutic effects and side-effects.  While a minor may request that treatment not be discussed with legal guardians, it is unlikely that our clinicians will consider the risks of unsupervised medication treatment of a minor to be appropriate and/or safe, and will decline to proceed.  If this is the case, the reasons for this choice will be explained to the child, and non-medication options offered if appropriate. If the clinician believes that involving the parents or legal guardians in the treatment of the child is “essential to the life or health of the minor” or to the safety of others, the clinician will discuss the evaluation and treatment options without the permission of the child.  

Psychotherapy with a minor 

Because privacy in psychotherapy is often crucial to successful progress, particularly with teenagers, it is usually our policy to advise parents and/or legal guardians, that therapy treatment of their child will be confidential unless the therapist believes that involving the parent and/or legal guardian is either “essential to the life or health of the minor” or essential to the safety of others. The child will be provided the option of allowing the parent or legal guardian to be given general information about the progress of the child’s treatment and his/her attendance at scheduled sessions, but consent to this option is not required for treatment.