NCNE | Adult Psychiatric Medication Management & Telehealth

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FAQ

Answers before you book.

Telehealth visits, psychiatric medication management, side effects, refills, insurance and billing, privacy and technology, and what to expect as a new client.

Telehealth visits

How do telehealth visits work?
All NCNE visits are secure video appointments. Before your visit you receive a link; at your appointment time you join from a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone, from a private place inside a state where NCNE is licensed to see you.
Where do I need to be during my visit?
Physically located in one of the states NCNE serves at the time of the visit — that is a licensing requirement, not a preference. If you travel or move, tell us before your appointment.
Do you offer in-person appointments?
No. NCNE is 100% telehealth.
What if I have a technical problem during my visit?
Stay on the line if you can — we can usually reconnect. If the video drops entirely, we will call the phone number on file.
Is telehealth appropriate for emergencies?
No. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent emotional support at any hour, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

Psychiatric medication management

What is psychiatric medication management?
It is ongoing care with a psychiatric prescriber: a comprehensive evaluation to clarify what is going on, a collaborative treatment plan, and regular follow-up visits to start, adjust, or stop medications safely while monitoring how you are doing.
Do I have to take medication if I book an evaluation?
No. The evaluation is about understanding your situation and options. Medication is one option among several, and the decision is made together.
Do you provide therapy?
NCNE provides comprehensive psychiatric care, with medication management and psychotherapy integrated into your treatment based on your individual needs. Care may include medication evaluation and management, therapeutic interventions, psychoeducation, and individualized guidance around symptom management and lifestyle changes. Our goal is to help you better understand your mental health, optimize your treatment, and develop practical strategies to support your well-being and day-to-day functioning. NCNE is not a traditional therapy-only practice. While psychotherapy may be an important part of your psychiatric care, some individuals may benefit from ongoing, dedicated psychotherapy beyond what can be provided within psychiatric treatment. When appropriate, we will discuss this with you and may recommend working with a therapist for additional support. With your permission, we can also coordinate care with your outside therapist to ensure your treatment is well integrated.
Do you offer genetic testing for psychiatric medications?
Yes. NCNE offers GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing — a cheek swab, done at home and mailed back, that reports how your genes may affect the way your body processes certain psychiatric medications. It is available in every state NCNE serves. It is useful information, especially after several medications have not worked or have caused unusual side effects, but it does not diagnose anything and it does not identify which medication will work best — no genetic test currently can. Testing is always optional. See GeneSight testing for what it reports, what it costs and how to get it.
Do you prescribe benzodiazepines or opioid medications?
No. NCNE does not prescribe benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium and similar) or opioid-based medications, and does not treat opioid use disorder. Anxiety, panic and sleep are treated with non-habit-forming options. If a benzodiazepine is genuinely what you need, we will say so early and help you find the right prescriber.
Do you treat children or adolescents?
No. NCNE provides care for adults aged 18 to 65.
How long is the initial evaluation?
The initial psychiatric evaluation is a 60-minute video visit.
How long are follow-up visits?
Follow-up medication management visits are typically 20–30 minutes.

Side effects

What if I have side effects?
Contact us — do not simply stop a medication on your own unless we have told you it is safe to. Many side effects are mild and settle within a couple of weeks; others mean the plan should change. Follow-up visits exist to catch exactly this.
How do you monitor side effects?
At each follow-up we review symptoms, side effects, and how the medication fits your day-to-day life, and adjust the dose or the plan as needed. Some medications also call for periodic lab work or vitals, which we coordinate with your primary care provider as needed.

Refills

How do refills work?
Refills are handled at follow-up visits, which are scheduled at the interval your treatment plan calls for. Please request refills before you run out — ideally at least a week ahead — so there is time to send the prescription to your pharmacy.
Do you prescribe controlled substances via telehealth?
NCNE does not prescribe benzodiazepines or opioid-based medications at all. Where another medication has specific telehealth rules, we will explain what applies to you at your evaluation.

Insurance and billing

Do you take insurance?
NCNE is in-network with most major insurance plans; your copay or coinsurance is typically the same as for any other specialist visit, and your exact cost depends on your plan's mental-health benefits, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum. We verify your coverage before your first appointment so you know what to expect. The current list of plans, by state, is on the Insurance & Fees page.
What if I don't have insurance?
You can still be seen. Most clients use insurance, but if you do not have coverage, or your plan is not one we are in network with, you can pay directly at the time of service; current rates and superbill details are on the Insurance & Fees page.
Can I use an HSA or FSA?
Yes — visits are HSA-eligible.
Will you check my benefits for me?
Yes. After you schedule, our team verifies your benefits and reviews estimated copays or deductibles with you before your first visit.

Privacy and technology

Is the video platform secure?
Visits take place over a secure, encrypted video platform intended for healthcare.
What do I need for a video visit?
A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a private space where you can speak freely.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes, within the limits of the law. Like any healthcare provider, there are narrow exceptions — for example, an imminent risk of serious harm — which we are glad to explain at your first visit.

What to expect as a new client

Who will I see?
Laura Gabriel, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with eight years of experience and the founder of NCNE. She provides every evaluation and follow-up visit herself; there is no rotating roster.
How do I get started?
Book an appointment online, or send a message through the contact form and we will respond within two business days. Share a few details about your symptoms, history, and goals so we can match you with appropriate care.
What happens at the first appointment?
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation: your current concerns, history, past treatments (what helped, what did not), medical background, and what you are hoping for. You leave with a collaborative, evidence-based plan — which may or may not include medication.
What should I have ready?
A list of current medications and doses, any past psychiatric medications you remember, your insurance card, your pharmacy, and — if you have one — the name of your therapist and primary care provider.
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes — NCNE is currently accepting new adult clients.

Still have a question?

If your question isn't covered above, send a brief note and we'll respond within two business days. You can also read what to expect as a new client.

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To protect your privacy, please don't include health details here — we'll cover those securely at your visit.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent support at any hour, call or text 988. Telehealth visits and this website are not an emergency service.

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Book a first appointment online, or send a message and we will respond within two business days.

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If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent support at any hour, call or text 988. Telehealth visits and this website are not an emergency service.