---
type: Service
title: Psychiatric Evaluation
description: Comprehensive diagnostic assessment by a board-certified psychiatric practitioner, described by CARMAhealth as the entry point to all of its treatment plans.
resource: https://carmahealth.com/services/psychiatric-evaluation
tags: [carmahealth, service, psychiatric-evaluation, diagnosis, assessment]
timestamp: 2026-07-08T20:00:00Z
---

# Psychiatric Evaluation

## Overview

A psychiatric evaluation at [CARMAhealth](../carmahealth.md) is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. It covers current symptoms, medical history, family history, medications, lifestyle, and personal goals. Practitioners use the Mental Status Examination and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria (the site cites the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5-TR as its diagnostic framework). The provider positions this service as the first step for all of its treatment lines: the resulting plan may include [medication management](./medication-management.md), [TMS therapy](./tms-therapy.md), [Spravato](./spravato.md), [ketamine therapy](./ketamine-therapy.md), referrals for talk therapy, or a combination.

## How it works (as described by the provider)

1. **Prepare** — intake paperwork completed through an online portal; patients gather current medication lists and relevant records.
2. **Evaluation visit** — typically 60 minutes with the practitioner; history review, symptom discussion, and assessment.
3. **Diagnosis** — the practitioner explains clinical findings and potential diagnoses.
4. **Treatment plan** — a personalized plan is built collaboratively; follow-up appointments are typically scheduled within two to four weeks.

Evaluations are available in person or via [telehealth](./telehealth.md) video visit for patients in Texas and Florida; the site states telehealth evaluations follow the same process as in-person visits.

## Conditions addressed

The site states an evaluation can lead to diagnosis and treatment planning for:

- [Depression](../conditions/depression.md), including [treatment-resistant depression](../conditions/treatment-resistant-depression.md)
- [Anxiety disorders](../conditions/anxiety.md)
- [ADHD](../conditions/adhd.md)
- [PTSD](../conditions/ptsd.md)
- [Substance use disorders](../conditions/substance-use-disorder.md)
- [Insomnia](../conditions/insomnia.md)
- Bipolar disorder, OCD, and panic disorder (mentioned by the site; no dedicated concept pages in this bundle)

## Availability & locations

- In person at CARMAhealth locations ([Austin, TX](../locations/austin-tx.md), [Dripping Springs, TX](../locations/dripping-springs-tx.md), [Coral Springs, FL](../locations/coral-springs-fl.md), per the services overview page).
- Via [telehealth](./telehealth.md) for patients in Texas and Florida.

## Insurance & payment

The site states CARMAhealth accepts 15+ insurance plans (naming Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Humana) and that most plans cover psychiatric evaluations as a medical visit; self-pay options are offered for services not covered.

## Claims noted

- The site cites the National Institute of Mental Health for the statistic that 59.3 million U.S. adults lived with a mental illness in 2022 and states that nearly half did not receive treatment.
- The site states no referral is needed to schedule an appointment.

## Sources

- Canonical page: https://carmahealth.com/services/psychiatric-evaluation
- Machine-readable mirror: https://mr.carmahealth.com/services/psychiatric-evaluation
- Retrieved 2026-07-08.