Despite continued advances in psychiatry, some patients do not recover as fully as possible from their illnesses; others have complex problems that are difficult to understand. Psychiatric illnesses are often complicated by factors unique to each person, such as physical health, longstanding patterns of thinking and emotion, and family, education, and/or work issues. At Columbia Psychiatry all of these factors are taken into careful consideration as part of the evaluation so that we can tailor treatment recommendations to each patient’s diagnosis, preferences, and circumstances and maximize recovery. Patients have access to our world-class faculty and resources as part of the evaluation.
Who Can Benefit From an Expert Evaluation or Second Opinion?
Individuals who have developed new symptoms of emotional distress are often evaluated and treated initially by their primary general physician or a psychotherapist. However, a more complete diagnostic evaluation by a psychiatrist may be warranted in the case of ongoing depression, anxiety, agitation, or distressed thinking and behavior. Many research studies have shown that most patients with depression do not receive adequate treatment, even after seeing a doctor. Other studies show that most patients with bipolar disorder are improperly diagnosed for an average of eight years before they finally receive appropriate medication. Our goal at Columbia Psychiatry is to help patients get the correct diagnosis and most appropriate treatment sooner.
There are many well-established medication treatments for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other psychiatric disorders. However, not all patients respond adequately or can tolerate the most common first-line treatments. In addition, exclusive reliance on medication without fully addressing other stressors in psychotherapy may cause incomplete treatment response. At times, the initial diagnostic impression turns out not to fit the emerging clinical picture and needs to be re-evaluated. Often, re-interviewing the patient from a fresh perspective, and talking with family members, can bring out additional information that places the patient’s problems in a new light.
At Columbia, we provide a careful diagnostic evaluation tailored to each individual’s needs and make detailed treatment recommendations so that medications and psychotherapy are prescribed only when needed.
Columbia Psychiatry specializes in reviewing ongoing treatment, often at the request of the doctors and other therapists already working with a patient. We provide constructive, innovative suggestions that often offer new directions when a patient is not responding to current treatment.
At Columbia Psychiatry, we see individuals for evaluations who live in the New York area, as well as those who come to see us from all across the United States and internationally. While evaluations are typically done on an outpatient basis, stays within the hospital can be arranged as needed. Following the expert evaluation, we are able to make arrangements for ongoing treatment, if desired, with a member of the Columbia faculty, or help with out-of-town referrals for patients who do not live in the New York area.
Evaluation includes:
- A review of past records, including hospital discharge summaries, psychological testing reports, prior consultation notes, and relevant medical records;
- A review of the current treatment with the referring psychiatrist, therapist, and/or other physicians involved in the patient’s care;
- Clinical interviews with a psychiatrist to explore the relevant issues;
- Consultation with family members when appropriate;
- Laboratory tests and referral for supplementary consultations with specialists in neuropsychology, neurology, and any medical specialties as indicated;
- Psychological and neuropsychological testing as indicated; and
- A written report that integrates the history, findings, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations.
We partner with referring professionals to discuss our findings and recommendations.
Specialized settings and components:
General adult psychiatry outpatient evaluations: Conducted in two locations:
- ColumbiaDoctors East Side, 16 East 60th St, Suite 400, NY NY 10016
- Columbia University Medical Center, Neurological Institute, 12th Floor, NY NY 10032
The Women’s Program: Devoted to addressing the mental health needs of women related to the female reproductive life cycle, including perinatal psychiatry, post-partum disorders, and menstrual and other hormonally related problems.
Neuropsychological testing: State-of-the-art diagnostic testing and evaluations for a wide variety of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, as well as learning and memory problems; forensic and competency evaluations
Inpatient Programs: For individuals who need the structure and safety of a hospital setting to best facilitate a comprehensive evaluation
Staff
- David Kahn, M.D., Vice Chair for Clinical Services
- Elizabeth Fitelson, M.D., Director, The Women’s Program
- Mary Sciutto, M.D., Director, Intensive Outpatient Program
- Lucy Epstein, M.D.
- Richard Hersh, M.D.
- Jonathan Horey, M.D.
- Kristin Leight, M.D.
- Susan Turner, M.D.
Financial Information
Payment is made directly by the patient or the family at the time of service. Major credit cards are accepted. Fees for evaluation depend upon the extent of services and the specialists involved.
Contact
Please call us at 212-305-6001 to speak to a clinician to discuss a Columbia Psychiatry Comprehensive Evaluation or second opinion or discuss other specialized programs that may be right for you.
