Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluations
in Massachusetts
Living with unexplained symptoms — persistent sadness, racing thoughts, inability to focus, cycles of highs and lows — and not having a name for it is its own burden. A thorough psychiatric evaluation gives you clarity, and clarity is where effective treatment begins.
A Thorough Assessment — Not a Checklist
A psychiatric diagnostic evaluation is a comprehensive clinical interview conducted by a qualified psychiatric provider. It goes well beyond a brief symptom questionnaire — we take a full picture of who you are, what you're experiencing, and what may be driving it.
This includes your current symptoms, personal and family psychiatric history, medical history, medications, substance use, sleep patterns, life circumstances, and functional impact. We don't just confirm whether you fit a diagnosis — we understand the full context around it.
Our PMHNP brings 30+ years of combined psychiatric and family medicine experience to every evaluation. That dual background matters — many psychiatric symptoms have medical contributors that a purely psychiatric lens would miss.
Already have a diagnosis but feel uncertain about it? Second-opinion evaluations are welcome. Misdiagnosis is common — particularly with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and complex presentations where conditions overlap. A fresh evaluation can correct course and open the right treatment path. See also: Is It Really ADHD? Or Something Else? →
What Our Evaluation Covers
Your 60-minute initial appointment is dedicated entirely to understanding you — no rushed intake, no clipboard hand-off. We assess:
Current Symptom Picture
Onset, duration, severity, triggers, and how symptoms affect your daily functioning — work, relationships, sleep, and quality of life.
Psychiatric and Medical History
Prior diagnoses, past treatments (what helped, what didn't), family mental health history, and any medical conditions or medications that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Differential Diagnosis
Many psychiatric conditions share overlapping symptoms. We work through the diagnostic possibilities systematically — ensuring the right diagnosis, not just the nearest one.
Personalized Treatment Plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis (or a clear explanation of the diagnostic picture), a personalized treatment recommendation, and next steps — whether that includes medication, therapy referral, or both.
Conditions We Diagnose
We conduct evaluations for adults and teens (13+) across the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions.
ADHD / ADD
Adult ADHD is frequently misdiagnosed — as anxiety, depression, or personality traits. We conduct thorough evaluations that distinguish true ADHD from conditions that mimic it.
Depression
Including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and depression with atypical or seasonal features.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I, II, cyclothymia, and mixed presentations. Often misdiagnosed as depression alone — a careful evaluation distinguishes the full mood spectrum.
Anxiety Disorders
GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder, specific phobias — and distinguishing anxiety from ADHD, trauma responses, and mood disorders.
OCD
Including less recognized presentations: Pure O, Harm OCD, ROCD, health anxiety, and OCD-spectrum conditions.
PTSD & Trauma
Acute, complex, and developmental trauma presentations — including C-PTSD, which is frequently missed in standard PTSD evaluations.
Insurance Accepted
Aetna · Blue Cross Blue Shield · Point32 (Harvard/Tufts) · OPTUM · Evernorth · Mass General Brigham · Medicare
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a psychiatric evaluation and a psychological evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by a psychiatric provider (psychiatrist or PMHNP) and focuses on diagnosis and treatment planning — including medication when appropriate. A psychological evaluation is conducted by a psychologist and often involves standardized testing (IQ, neuropsychological assessments). For most adults seeking a mental health diagnosis, a psychiatric evaluation is the appropriate starting point. If neuropsychological testing is specifically needed, we can coordinate a referral.
I've already been diagnosed. Do I still need an evaluation?
Not always — if you have a clear, well-documented diagnosis and are primarily seeking medication management or care continuation, we can often work from your existing records. However, if you have questions about your diagnosis, have had inconsistent diagnoses, or feel your current treatment isn't right for you, a fresh evaluation is often the most useful starting point.
Can I get a psychiatric evaluation via telehealth in Massachusetts?
Yes. Bedre Health conducts full psychiatric evaluations via HIPAA-compliant telehealth video for patients anywhere in Massachusetts and other licensed states. The evaluation process is equally thorough via telehealth as in-person.
How long does a psychiatric evaluation take?
Your initial appointment is 60 minutes. This is the full evaluation — we take the time we need without rushing. Some complex presentations may benefit from a follow-up appointment to finalize the diagnostic picture, which we'll discuss with you at the end of the initial visit.
Will I receive a written diagnosis or letter after my evaluation?
Yes. We provide clinical documentation of your evaluation findings, diagnosis, and treatment plan. If you need documentation for employers, schools, disability accommodations, or other purposes, please let us know at the time of your appointment so we can ensure the documentation includes what you need.
How quickly can I get a psychiatric evaluation appointment?
We typically offer same-week appointments for new patients. No referral is needed to get started. Call, text, or email — whichever is easiest.
Serving Massachusetts & Beyond
Get the Clarity You've Been Looking For
Same-week evaluation appointments available now.
No referral needed. First consultation is free.
✉️ Email Us or call (781) 488-6163