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Not sure what’s causing changes in your mood, thoughts, or mental health? A psychiatric evaluation is the first step toward understanding what’s happening. It is a comprehensive mental health assessment that helps identify possible mental health conditions, clarify a diagnosis, and create a treatment plan based on your symptoms, medical history, and personal goals.
A psychiatric evaluation can help identify the cause of anxiety, depression, mood changes, ADHD symptoms, sleep problems, intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, or other mental health concerns. It provides a clearer understanding of what’s happening and helps guide the next steps in your care.
Appointments at Jereluz Behavioral Health and Wellness are available in person at our Las Vegas office or through secure telepsychiatry for patients across Nevada.
Dr. Worthington will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing, including changes in mood, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, sleep, energy levels, and concentration. The discussion may include when symptoms began, how they have changed over time, and how they affect your daily life.
The evaluation includes a discussion about your concerns, treatment preferences, and goals for care. Dr. Worthington uses the information gathered during the assessment to discuss possible treatment recommendations, which may include medication management, therapy referrals, lifestyle changes, or ongoing psychiatric follow-up.
A psychiatric diagnosis is based on a detailed evaluation of multiple factors rather than a single symptom or question. During the assessment, Dr. Mindy Caragan Worthington reviews your symptoms, how long they have been present, their severity, and how they affect your daily functioning.
The evaluation includes a review of your medical history, family mental health history, current medications, personal experiences, and significant life events. Dr. Worthington also compares your symptoms with established diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Making a psychiatric diagnosis involves clinical judgment and careful consideration of different possible causes of symptoms. This process, known as differential diagnosis, helps distinguish between conditions that may present with similar symptoms and provides a clearer understanding of your mental health needs.
A lot of people spend years living with anxiety, depression, mood swings, or foggy thinking, without ever knowing why. They try to manage it on their own. They tell themselves it is just stress. They get by, but they never feel truly well.
A psychiatric evaluation changes that. It gives your symptoms a name. It gives your struggles context. And most importantly, it opens the door to real, targeted care, instead of guessing.
You cannot treat something you have not properly assessed. The evaluation is where everything starts.
Your initial psychiatric evaluation at Jereluz Behavioral Health typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes. This is much longer than a standard appointment — and that is intentional.
Dr. Worthington does not rush this process. Sixty to ninety minutes gives her the time to truly understand you, ask follow-up questions, and build a care plan that actually fits your situation.
Follow-up appointments after the evaluation are usually 30 to 60 minutes.
A psychiatric evaluation can help identify a wide range of mental health conditions. Dr. Mindy Caragan Worthington reviews symptoms, personal history, medical factors, and daily functioning to better understand your mental health concerns.
Mood disorders affect emotional regulation, energy levels, and overall functioning. A psychiatric evaluation may help identify conditions such as:
Anxiety disorders involve ongoing fear, worry, nervousness, or stress responses that interfere with daily life. These may include:
Trauma-related conditions can develop after experiencing or witnessing stressful or distressing events. A psychiatric evaluation may assess conditions such as:
These conditions can affect attention, focus, impulse control, learning, and behavior. Evaluation may include:
These conditions involve unwanted thoughts, repetitive behaviors, or difficulties managing certain urges. They may include:
Psychotic disorders affect thinking, perception, and the ability to accurately interpret experiences. A psychiatric evaluation may assess:
Personality disorders involve long-term patterns of thinking, emotions, relationships, and behaviors. These may include:
Sleep concerns can affect mood, concentration, and overall mental health. A psychiatric evaluation may assess:
A psychiatric evaluation may also help identify other behavioral health concerns that affect emotional wellbeing, relationships, and daily life. Dr. Worthington considers your symptoms, history, and overall functioning when evaluating your mental health needs.
You do not need to complete any special preparation before your appointment. However, bringing a few important details can help Dr. Mindy Caragan Worthington better understand your concerns and medical history.
Write down your symptoms Before your appointment, take a few minutes to note what you have been experiencing, including when symptoms started, how often they occur, and how they affect your daily life. A few notes or bullet points can help you remember important details during the evaluation.
Bring a list of your medications Include all prescription medications, vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medications you currently take. Having an accurate medication list helps with reviewing your health history and treatment options.
Bring past records if you have them If you have previous mental health records, diagnoses, lab results, or notes from other healthcare providers, bring them with you if possible. If you do not have past records, you can still complete your evaluation.
Bring your current insurance card and any required identification or appointment information needed for your visit.
Share Family Mental Health History If you know of any mental health conditions, substance use concerns, or psychiatric treatment among family members, sharing this information can provide helpful background during the evaluation.
Arrive a few minutes early Give yourself time to settle in before the appointment starts. You will feel calmer and the conversation will flow better.
Be as honest as you can Dr. Worthington is not there to judge you. The more honest you are about how you feel, the more accurate her assessment will be — and the better your care plan will be.
You do not need to be in a crisis to get a psychiatric evaluation. Many people book one simply because something feels off and they want answers. Here are common reasons people come in:
You have been feeling anxious, sad, or emotionally flat for weeks or months and cannot figure out why.
Your sleep is broken, your energy is gone, and it is affecting your work and relationships.
Your thoughts feel out of control — racing, dark, repetitive, or intrusive.
Your mood changes fast and you do not always know why you are angry, upset, or disconnected.
Your teen is struggling with behavior, attention, or emotional outbursts and needs a proper assessment.
You are a veteran or first responder carrying trauma, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness.
You are pregnant or recently had a baby and your emotional health feels unstable or overwhelming.
A previous provider gave you a diagnosis or medication but you are not sure it was right and want a second opinion.
You have never spoken to a mental health provider before and you just want to understand yourself better.
Come to Our Las Vegas Office If you prefer to meet face to face, our clinic is located at 7151 Cascade Valley Ct, Suite 101-102, Las Vegas, NV 89128. The space is private, calm, and designed to make you feel at ease from the moment you walk in.
Attend From Anywhere in Nevada If you cannot come in, or simply prefer the comfort of your own space, telehealth is available. All you need is a phone or computer with a camera. The evaluation is just as thorough online as it is in person.
After your psychiatric evaluation, Dr. Worthington will share her findings with you clearly and in plain language. She will explain what she observed, what condition or conditions she believes may be present, and what she recommends. From there, she will build a care plan designed specifically for you. This may include medication management, ongoing psychiatric appointments, referrals to therapy, lifestyle recommendations, or a combination of all of these. You are never just handed a diagnosis and sent home. Dr. Worthington walks you through next steps and makes sure you leave the appointment with clarity — not confusion.
A clear diagnosis or clinical impression — finally knowing what you are dealing with.
A personal care plan built around your specific symptoms, goals, and life situation.
A follow-up appointment scheduled so your progress is tracked and your care continues.
Medication is not recommended for every person who completes a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation comes first and allows Dr. Mindy Caragan Worthington to understand your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, and overall mental health needs before discussing treatment options.
If medication may be helpful, Dr. Worthington will discuss the potential benefits, possible risks, side effects, and other available approaches. Treatment decisions are made through shared decision-making, where your concerns, preferences, and goals are considered along with clinical recommendations.
When medication is prescribed, ongoing monitoring is an important part of care. Follow-up appointments allow Dr. Worthington to review how the medication is working, discuss any side effects, and make adjustments when needed.
Psychiatric and psychological evaluations both assess mental health, but they focus on different areas and are performed by different types of providers.
A psychiatric evaluation is completed by a medical mental health provider, such as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or psychiatrist. The evaluation focuses on symptoms, mental health history, medical factors, and overall functioning.
A psychiatric provider can diagnose mental health conditions and may prescribe medication when appropriate. Psychiatric evaluations are commonly used when someone needs an assessment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, or other behavioral health concerns.
A psychological evaluation is completed by a psychologist and often involves specialized psychological testing. These evaluations may assess areas such as:
Psychologists use testing tools, interviews, and behavioral observations to provide a detailed understanding of cognitive and emotional functioning.
In some cases, a psychiatric and psychological evaluation may be recommended together. A psychiatric provider may refer a patient for psychological testing when additional information is needed about learning abilities, cognitive functioning, personality patterns, or specific diagnostic questions.
The type of evaluation recommended depends on your symptoms, concerns, and the information needed to support your care plan.
Most major insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluations. Jereluz Behavioral Health accepts 15 or more plans including Medicaid, HMO, PPO, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and others.
If you are not sure whether your plan covers this service, call us before your appointment. Our team will check your benefits and give you a clear answer on what to expect — no surprises, no hidden fees.
A psychiatric evaluation is a detailed assessment of your mental health, symptoms, medical history, medications, lifestyle, and daily functioning. It helps Dr. Mindy Caragan Worthington understand your concerns, evaluate possible mental health conditions, and discuss appropriate treatment options.
A mental health assessment is a general review of your emotional wellbeing, symptoms, and concerns. A psychiatric evaluation is a more detailed clinical assessment completed by a qualified psychiatric provider and includes reviewing medical history, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options.
Referral requirements depend on your insurance plan and individual circumstances. Many patients can schedule a psychiatric evaluation directly, while some insurance providers may require a referral from a primary care provider or another healthcare professional.
Yes. Patients can book an appointment by calling the number provided or by clicking Book Online, depending on availability and appointment options offered by Jereluz Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
The length of a psychiatric evaluation can vary depending on your concerns, medical history, symptoms, and the information needed during the assessment. Initial evaluations are usually longer than follow-up appointments because they involve a detailed review of your background and current concerns.
Yes. Information shared during your appointment is kept private and handled according to healthcare privacy regulations. There are limited exceptions required by law, such as situations involving immediate safety concerns.
You have been wondering long enough. A psychiatric evaluation gives you clarity — what is happening, why it is happening, and what to do about it. It is the most important first step you can take.
Book your evaluation today. In person in Las Vegas or online from anywhere in Nevada.
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