Psychiatric Evaluation in Ellicott City, MD

You Deserve Clear Answers

When something feels off mentally or emotionally, the hardest part is often not knowing why. A psychiatric evaluation gives you answers.

Our psychiatric evaluations go beyond checklists and quick labels. We take the time to look at symptoms, medical history, emotional patterns, stressors, and overall mental health concerns so nothing important is missed.

 

A Psychiatric Evaluation That Looks at the Whole Picture

A psychiatric evaluation is not a test you pass or fail. It’s a structured, thoughtful process designed to understand you, not just your symptoms. We look at the full picture so recommendations are clear, relevant, and genuinely helpful. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

 
 

A Comprehensive Conversation, Not a Rushed Checklist: We start by talking through what brought you in, how symptoms show up in daily life, and what you’re hoping to change or understand.

 

Life History and Environment: We explore relationships, work or school stressors, family dynamics, and past experiences that may be shaping your current challenges.

 
 

Mental, Emotional, and Physical Context: Your evaluation considers mood, thinking patterns, stress levels, sleep, medical history, and how your body and mind interact.

 

Clear Clinical Impressions and Next Steps: You’ll leave with clarity, whether that’s a diagnosis, rule-outs, or a better understanding of what’s going on and why.

 
 

Mindfulness-informed Clinical Perspective: Alongside traditional psychiatric assessment, we pay attention to awareness, regulation, and how you experience emotions in your body.

 

A Personalized Plan Moving Forward: Recommendations may include therapy, medication, further evaluation, TMS therapy, or integrated care options, always tailored to your specific needs.

 
 

Clinical Psychiatric Evaluations in Ellicott City, MD

We use evaluations to assess a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, cognitive changes, and other psychiatric conditions. Evaluations may also help rule out medical or neurological factors, clarify diagnoses, or guide next steps when previous treatment hasn’t fully helped.

The goal isn’t to label you; it’s to understand you. Results from testing and evaluation inform a thoughtful care plan that may include therapy, medication management, further assessment, or integrated treatment options tailored to your needs and stage of life.

If you’re looking for answers or want a clearer direction for care, we’re here to help.

Young woman in a therapy session discussing mental health concerns with a professional male psychologist.
 
 
 

NeuroStar TMS Therapy as Part of Comprehensive Care

After a psychiatric evaluation, some people learn that medication or therapy alone hasn’t fully relieved symptoms. When that happens, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be an effective next option.

TMS is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment that targets specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It’s often recommended when symptoms persist despite traditional treatment and can be integrated with ongoing psychiatric care.

Sessions are outpatient, require no anesthesia, and involve minimal side effects, allowing you to return to normal activities right away.

 
 
 

Finding Hope in TMS: Real Stories of Transformation

 

Remission from Depression

NeuroStar Patient – Mariah’s Story

 
 
 

from medication to neurostar

NeuroStar Patient – Bart’s Story

 
 
 

remission from depression

NeuroStar Patient – Todd’s Story

 
 
 

discovering neurostar & clear results

NeuroStar Patient – Kelly’s Story

 
 
 

A Team of Psychiatrists and Therapists Focused on Thoughtful, Personalized Care

Our clinicians bring together experience, range, and intention. Our team includes psychiatrists, therapists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, all trained to provide comprehensive psychiatric and psychological care for individuals of all ages.

What sets our team apart is how closely we work together. We offer in-person and outpatient mental health services that integrate diagnosis and treatment across psychiatry, behavioral health, and therapy services.

 
 
 

Integrated Psychiatry and Mental Health Care in Ellicott City, MD

As a trusted health provider and mental health center, we are dedicated to providing patient care that is collaborative, evidence-based, and grounded in respect. From medication management and psychotherapy to services for children and adolescents, our mental health professionals work together to support your full mental health journey.

Whether you’re seeking in-person care, diagnostic clarity, or ongoing psychiatric medication management, you’ll work with experienced psychiatrists and therapists who take the time to understand your needs.

 
 
 

FAQs

 
 
  • Psychiatry focuses on diagnosis and medication, psychology emphasizes psychological testing and evaluations, and therapy involves individual therapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy. Many clients benefit from coordinated psychological and psychiatric care.

  • Psychiatry supports a wide range of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, substance abuse treatment needs, and other emotional and behavioral concerns across life transitions.

  • A psychiatric evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that helps clarify mental health concerns, diagnose mental health disorders, and guide treatment. The benefits include a clearer understanding, personalized treatment planning, and a focused plan of care to support mental wellness and long-term progress.

  • Your first visit includes a comprehensive evaluation with a psychiatrist, focused on understanding symptoms, treatment goals, and creating a clear plan of care for personalized treatment.

  • Come prepared to discuss mental health challenges, symptoms, medications, and past treatment. Bringing questions helps ensure your psychological evaluation supports clear next steps and an effective treatment plan.

  • Yes. We accept most insurance plans and can help you verify coverage before your visit. Our goal is to make comprehensive mental health treatment accessible for individuals seeking care in Ellicott City.

 
 
 

Unburden Your Mind: Rediscover Your Joy

 
 
 
 
 

The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode. The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy system is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary.

The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events are transient; they occur during the TMS treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient). Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.

CLINICAL & ACADEMIC REFERENCES

Carpenter LL, et al. (2012). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Major Depression: A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Acute Treatment Outcomes in Clinical Practice. Depression and Anxiety, 29(7):587-596. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2268934

George MS, et al. (2010). Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 67(5):507-516. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20439832

Dunner DL, et al. (2014). A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Patients with Pharmacoresistant Major Depressive Disorder: Durability of Benefit Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period. J Clin Psychiatry. 75(12):1394-1401. www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25271871

O’Reardon JP, et al. (2007). Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major Depression: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Biol Psychiatry, 62(11):1208-1216. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17573044