Gabriela Gehrman, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric Mental Health Care  ·  Amara MindCare

What to expect

What your first appointment actually looks like.

No mystery, no rushed fifteen minutes. Here's the whole thing, start to finish.

First visit

A 60-minute evaluation

The full picture: history, symptoms, what you've already tried, medications, sleep, stress, and what you want to be different.

Together

A plan you agreed to

If medication belongs in it, we'll say why. If it doesn't, we'll say that too. You'll understand the reasoning either way.

Ongoing

Follow-ups that fit your life

Thirty minutes, scheduled around your week, and adjusted as we go rather than set once and left alone.

Before you arrive

The practical part.

  • You'll get intake paperwork through the secure patient portal after booking. Filling it in beforehand means the appointment is spent talking, not typing.
  • Appointments are by video. You'll need a private spot, a decent connection, and to be physically located in Illinois at the time of your visit.
  • Bring a list of medications you take now and ones you've tried before, including what happened with each.
  • If someone else's perspective matters to you, they're welcome to join for part of the visit.

Book an appointment

If you're in crisis right now

Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. For substance use, SAMHSA's helpline is 1-800-662-4357. This website is not for emergencies and can't provide urgent care.