FAQ | Psychiatry located in Redondo Beach, CA.

Do you see people in-person or via telehealth?

We are able to see patients both in-person and virtually. (Dr. Tarrant is only able to see patients virtually at this time.)

While most patients can be seen virtually most of the time (if not exclusively), some patients may be required to present in-person from time-to-time (including for the first appointment). These can include patients with symptoms where an in-person examination is indicated. As pandemic-era rule exceptions expire, these can also include patients using Medicare or who are prescribed controlled substances.

Do you see children?

Yes! We are able to see children both in-person and virtually. Please contact us for availability.

Do you see patients from outside the Los Angeles area?

We accept patients from outside the Los Angeles area on a case-by-case basis.

What are your COVID 19 policies?

All of our providers are fully vaccinated for COVID 19. Patients and providers who are sick are asked not to come to our clinic in-person. When in our waiting room, please wear a tight-fitting mask. And please follow your provider's instructions regarding masking while in their office.

Do you see patients who have no insurance or who are out-of-network?

We are able to see patients who have no insurance or who are out-of-network, though these patients will have to pay out-of-pocket for their care. Please call us to discuss our out-of-pocket rates. We are able to provide "superbills" to help you apply for reimbursement from your insurance company for your out-of-pocket costs.

How long is my appointment?

Your first appointment, or intake, will be scheduled for one hour, and you can expect to talk with your provider face-to-face for about 45-50 minutes. A typical medication management follow-up appointment will be scheduled for 30 minutes (around 20 minutes face-to-face). A typical psychotherapy appointment is scheduled for one hour (45-50 minutes face-to-face).

What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist? How about a psychiatrist and an NP or PA?

A therapist is a licensed clinician who treats mental health problems using psychotherapy (or talk therapy). A therapist can be a psychologist (with a PhD or PsyD), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a marriage and family therapist (MFT), or a psychiatrist (MD/DO).

Psychiatrists are physicians/medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems, including serious mental illness. As physicians, psychiatrists can assess for medical and neurological problems that can be contributing to mental health issues, and they can prescribe medications and other medical interventions. Psychiatrists are also trained in psychotherapy.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNP) are able to diagnose psychiatric conditions and prescribe psychiatric medications without the supervision of a physician. In order to become a PMHNP, a nurse practitioner has typically completed a master's or doctoral degree in advanced practice nursing and at least 500 hours of clinical training. A physician assistant (PA) is able to practice medicine and prescribe medications, including psychiatric medications, under the supervision of a physician. PAs have completed a master’s level degree and around 2000 hours of clinical training.

Do you see people for psychotherapy?

Our providers have limited slots available for psychotherapy patients (who are typically seen for an hour every 1-2 weeks). Aside from therapy, your provider will also manage any psychiatric medications you may be taking. Psychotherapy patients are accepted depending on availability of slots and fit. Our providers will typically only accept new psychotherapy patients who are already established with them, or after a period of consultation. Please contact us if you'd like to inquire whether any of our providers are currently open for new psychotherapy patients.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a neurologist?

Psychiatry and neurology are related. In fact, we share the same board, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and psychiatrists are required to complete some training in neurology (and vice versa). But the two fields are also very distinct. Psychiatrists specialize in mental health problems, including depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders, and addiction. Psychiatrists tend to view mental health issues in terms of biology (involving not just the brain but the whole body), psychology, and social factors. Neurologists specialize in disorders affecting the brain and nervous system, including stroke, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders.

There are some disorders where the scope of psychiatrists and neurologists intersect. For example, psychiatrists may be called upon to help rule out depression and other psychiatric disorders that can masquerade as dementia (a neurological condition). Psychiatrists may also be called upon to help manage mood symptoms, psychotic symptoms, and behavioral problems related to Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

What medications can you prescribe?

We are able to prescribe most prescription psychiatric medications, including long-acting injectable medications, clozapine, medications used in the treatment of addiction (including buprenorphine), and controlled substances (including stimulants and anxiolytics). If you are prescribed a long-acting injectable medication, we will help you arrange to get your injection at a specialized pharmacy or at your primary care provider’s office.

We are not a ketamine treatment center. If you and your provider determine that ketamine may be a good treatment for you, we will refer you to a ketamine treatment center. We are also not a methadone clinic and can not prescribe methadone, though we can refer you to a methadone clinic if necessary.

We are excited about the potential applications of drugs like MDMA and psilocybin in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, but these substances are currently still experimental and can not be prescribed outside clinical trials.

Our providers do not provide medical marijuana recommendations.

Do you administer transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?

We do not provide TMS. If you and your provider decide that TMS may be a good treatment for you, we will refer you to a TMS provider.

When can I consider myself a patient of the practice?

Your first appointment is considered to be a consultation, and being scheduled for an initial appointment does not mean that the practice or your provider has agreed to treat you. Typically, you and your provider will decide during the initial consultation whether to enter a provider-patient relationship. But it may also take more than one consultation/appointment to make this decision. After the initial consultation period, you or your provider may also decide not to continue together, in which case, your provider will provide you with appropriate referrals. Your provider will not prescribe medications until you’ve established a provider-patient relationship.

Do you fill out disability forms? Write emotional support animal letters? Write gender-affirming treatment support letters?

Your provider may fill out disability forms or provide an emotional support animal letter at their discretion and on a case-by-case basis. These are typically only done for patients who are well-established in our practice. Your provider may ask that you schedule an appointment in order to discuss the form or letter.

Patients who require a letter to support gender-affirming treatment can typically get one after their first or second appointment with their provider. If you only require a gender-affirming treatment support letter, there are also resources available (including letter-writing groups) to help you obtain a letter at no cost and without necessarily completing a full psychiatric assessment. Please visit https://translounge.org/tgi-enby-resource-index/medical-mental-health-services/ for a list of resources in the Los Angeles area.

Will I receive a cost estimate if I'm paying out-of-pocket?

Good Faith Estimate Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises