Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation that actually answers the question
If the diagnosis hasn’t felt right, or you’ve never had a real one, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is where answers start. Sixty to ninety minutes with a board-certified psychiatrist, a full history, and a written plan you take with you.
What It Is
A real diagnostic visit, not a fifteen-minute med check
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is the diagnostic conversation most patients wish they’d had a long time ago. At SMHWI, it’s a 60 to 90 minute visit with a board-certified psychiatrist, built to answer three questions: what’s actually going on, what has already been tried, and what should come next.
It covers a full psychiatric and medical history, review of prior treatments and medications, standardized rating scales where they help, a differential diagnosis, and a written treatment plan you leave with. If medication is appropriate, your psychiatrist will discuss options and prescribe when clinically indicated. If something you’re taking isn’t working, we talk about why.
It’s the usual starting point for a new patient at SMHWI, and the most common path for a second opinion on an existing diagnosis or medication regimen. For situations that are escalating and can’t wait for a scheduled visit, see our same-day psychiatric evaluation instead.
What Happens In The Evaluation
The six parts of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
No surprise. Here’s what your psychiatrist actually does in the room, in roughly this order.
Who A Comprehensive Evaluation Is For
If any of these describe you, this is the right starting point
Not every situation calls for the full 90 minutes. These are the ones where it earns its length.
You’ve never had a real psychiatric evaluation
You’ve been managing on your own, through a primary care provider, or with no formal plan at all. Getting an actual diagnosis and framework is the step that unlocks everything else.
Request evaluationThe current diagnosis or plan isn’t landing
You’ve been diagnosed, you’ve tried medication, and it hasn’t worked, or it isn’t the right fit for how you actually feel. A fresh pair of eyes and a full re-work are reasonable to ask for.
Request second opinionMultiple things seem to be happening at once
Depression plus anxiety, trauma plus substance use, ADHD plus mood symptoms, physical symptoms with no clear cause. Comprehensive evaluations are built to untangle presentations that don’t fit a single label.
Request evaluationYou’re considering TMS, Spravato, or IV ketamine
Before an interventional treatment, your psychiatrist needs the full picture to confirm candidacy, document failed trials for insurance, and build a plan that pairs the intervention with the right ongoing care.
Compare TMSWhich Evaluation Fits
Comprehensive vs. same-day psychiatric evaluation
Both see a psychiatrist. They answer different questions.
Where To Be Evaluated
SMHWI psychiatric clinics near you
Each clinic’s psychiatrists conduct comprehensive evaluations in-office and by secure telehealth within their licensing state.
ScottsdaleArizona
Roland Segal, MDMedical Director, ScottsdaleTempeArizona
Ehab Abdallah, MDMedical Director, TempeGlendaleArizona
Lauren T. Bonner, MDMedical Director, GlendaleRockwallTexas
Ryan H. Hashem, MDMedical Director, RockwallInsurance
Covered by most insurance plans
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations are typically billed under code 90792 (initial psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services). Each location’s admissions team verifies your plan and quotes your out-of-pocket cost before the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, answered
A 60 to 90 minute diagnostic visit with a board-certified psychiatrist. It includes a full psychiatric and medical history, a review of prior treatments and medications, standardized rating scales where appropriate, a differential diagnosis, and a written treatment plan. It’s the usual starting point for a new patient at SMHWI.
Most run 60 to 90 minutes. More complex presentations occasionally need a second visit for full assessment, which your psychiatrist will discuss with you before scheduling.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is a scheduled, in-depth diagnostic intake focused on getting the diagnosis and treatment plan right. A same-day psychiatric evaluation is a shorter urgent-access visit for someone whose situation is escalating but who doesn’t need the ER. Many patients begin with a same-day evaluation to stabilize, then move to a comprehensive evaluation for full diagnostic clarity.
No. SMHWI is an outpatient psychiatric practice and most patients self-refer by requesting an evaluation through our Become a Patient portal.
Sometimes. Many patients do, but the goal of the evaluation is diagnostic accuracy first. If medication is appropriate, your psychiatrist will discuss options and start it when clinically indicated. If more information or outside records are needed first, the plan may be to begin at the follow-up visit.
In most cases, yes. SMHWI is in-network with most major commercial carriers, Medicare, and Tricare. The admissions team verifies your plan and quotes your out-of-pocket cost before the visit. Common billing codes include 90792 for the initial psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services.
Yes. Second opinions on an existing diagnosis or medication regimen are a common reason to book a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Bring your current medication list and any records you can access from prior providers.
Medically reviewed
Reviewed by Roland Segal, MD
Double board-certified psychiatrist and member of the Arizona Psychiatric Society. Clinical oversight for SMHWI psychiatric evaluations across Arizona and Texas.
Start with a conversation that actually gets to the point
Request a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We’ll verify your insurance before you commit to anything, and most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.
In a crisis
Get help right now
SMHWI is an outpatient practice and cannot respond to emergencies. If you or someone you know is in danger or thinking about suicide, use these free, confidential resources, available 24/7.
- Call 911Life-threatening emergency, or someone at immediate risk of harm.
- Call or text 988Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7. Chat at 988lifeline.org/chat.
- Dial 988, then press 1Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255.
- Text HOME to 741741Crisis Text Line, free 24/7 support with a trained counselor.
