By Empowered Minds Behavioral | Austell, GA

Scheduling your first psychiatric appointment can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure what the process involves. Whether you’re seeking help for ADHD, anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern, knowing what to expect can ease a lot of that uncertainty.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how your first visit works at Empowered Minds Behavioral — whether you’re coming to our Austell, GA office or connecting through telehealth.

Before Your Appointment

Once you’ve booked, you’ll typically receive intake paperwork to complete ahead of time. This usually includes:

  • A health history questionnaire covering past medical conditions, surgeries, and current medications
  • A mental health history form asking about previous diagnoses, therapy, or psychiatric treatment
  • Insurance and consent forms
  • A brief questionnaire about your current symptoms and what brought you in

Completing these forms in advance gives your provider valuable context and allows your appointment time to focus on you rather than paperwork.

What Happens During the Evaluation

Your first session is called a psychiatric evaluation, and it usually lasts between 45 and 60 minutes — longer than a typical follow-up visit.

During this time, your provider will:

  • Ask about your symptoms: When did they start? How do they affect your daily life, work, relationships, or sleep? Have they changed over time?
  • Review your medical and mental health history: Including previous diagnoses, medications you’ve tried, family history, and substance use
  • Discuss your goals: What does feeling better look like for you?
  • Perform a clinical assessment: Using standardized screening tools for ADHD, depression, or anxiety

This is a judgment-free conversation. Your provider’s goal is to understand your experience as fully as possible so they can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the right path forward.

Will I Be Prescribed Medication Right Away?

It depends. Some patients receive a prescription at their first visit if the diagnosis is clear and medication is appropriate.

Others may need additional evaluation, lab work, or a follow-up before starting treatment. Your provider will always explain their reasoning and involve you in the decision.

Medication is only one piece of the puzzle. Your treatment plan may also include
psychiatric services, therapy referrals, lifestyle recommendations, nutritional guidance, or a combination of approaches.

In-Person vs. Telehealth: What’s the Difference?

At Empowered Minds Behavioral, we offer both in-person appointments at our Austell, GA office and secure telehealth visits across Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and New York.

The clinical experience is the same either way — the only difference is whether you’re sitting in our office or connecting from the comfort of your own home.

Telehealth can be especially convenient if you have a busy schedule, limited transportation, or simply feel more comfortable in your own space.

How to Prepare

A few tips to help you get the most from your first appointment:

  • Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how severe they feel
  • Bring a list of current medications and supplements (with dosages if possible)
  • Note any questions you want to ask
  • Be honest — the more openly you share, the more effectively your provider can help

What Comes After the First Visit

Follow-up appointments are typically shorter — around 15 to 30 minutes — and focus on monitoring your progress and adjusting your treatment plan if needed.

Most patients are seen every four to six weeks initially, with visits becoming less frequent as symptoms stabilize.

You can also explore common questions on our
FAQ page to better understand ongoing care.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you’ve been thinking about seeing a psychiatrist but haven’t taken the leap yet, you’re not alone.

Many patients find that the hardest part is making the call — and that the actual appointment is far less intimidating than they expected.


Book your appointment today

or call 404-595-8722.