Frequently Asked Questions
About Empowered Psychiatry
What states are you licensed in?
I am licensed in Colorado and New York. While my physical office is in Colorado, I can see patients located in either state.
Will my appointments be virtual or in-person?
I offer a hybrid healthcare approach which means that I use a combination of in-person and telehealth appointments. I am available for in-office visits on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. My telehealth appointments are completed using a secure video platform.
Important: Patients prescribed controlled substances must be seen in person at least once per calendar year.
Where are you located?
My office is located at 1790 30th Street, Suite 375, Boulder, CO 80301, within the same office suite as New Peaks Neuropsychology. When you arrive, head to the third floor and follow the signs for New Peaks Neuropsychology, located at the end of the long hallway. Once you enter the suite, please take a seat in the waiting room and I will be with you shortly.
What is integrative psychiatry?
Integrative psychiatry combines traditional medicine with holistic practices to help individuals manage mental health challenges. This approach considers the whole person—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects—to support overall well-being. By focusing on healing, resilience, and improved coping strategies, integrative psychiatry aims to not only reduce symptoms but also address their root causes. Through personalized care plans, patients can develop lasting skills to maintain their mental health.
What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my role is similar to that of a psychiatrist. I am trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions, as well as prescribe medication, provide therapy and coaching, and conduct evaluations. Research shows that patient outcomes with nurse practitioners can be equal to or even better than those treated by physicians. Working with a nurse practitioner offers a holistic approach that considers both overall well-being and specific mental health needs.
Appointments & Availability
How soon can I be seen?
I currently have availability for new patients within 1–2 weeks.
What if I want to make sure you are the right fit before committing to a full intake?
I offer a free 15-minute video consultation to help us connect, discuss how I can support you on your mental health journey, and determine if my approach aligns with your needs. To schedule your consultation, you can call or text us at 720-235-8066 or submit a form on my contact page, and we will reach out to arrange a time.
Please note that medications cannot be prescribed and treatment recommendations cannot be made until after a full intake is completed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your unique needs.
How do I schedule an intake appointment?
You have a few options to schedule your intake appointment, depending on what’s most convenient for you. The quickest way is to schedule directly through my patient portal. Alternatively, you can email, call, or text my office, or submit a form on my contact page, and we’ll reach out to arrange a time.
How can I prepare for my first appointment?
Congratulations on taking this important step toward better mental health! Preparing for your intake appointment can help you get the most out of your session. Here are a few ways to get ready:
Paperwork: Please fill out the new patient paperwork on Simple Practice at least 2 business days before your appointment.
Release of information: The only form that is less clear is the Release of Information, where we'll need you to insert your old practice’s information so we can obtain your previous files for a more comprehensive conceptualization of your care.
Gather Medical History: Be prepared to discuss your medical and mental health history, including past diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations.
List of Medications: Please bring a list of current and past psychiatric medications, including the name, dosage, dates you took the medication, how it helped (or didn’t), any side effects, and if discontinued, the reason for stopping.
Note Symptoms and Concerns: Write down any symptoms, concerns, or questions you’d like to discuss during the appointment.
That said, we understand that life happens! If you're unable to prepare or are missing any of the information above, that's completely okay—we’ll figure it out together during your appointment.
What can I expect during my first appointment?
Your first appointment (60–105 minutes) will include a comprehensive evaluation, which is crucial for tailoring treatment recommendations to your individual needs. This evaluation will cover:
Current symptoms
Psychiatric history
Lifestyle and social influences
Personal and medical history
Depending on your needs, multiple visits may be required to complete the evaluation before discussing medication options. I may also recommend laboratory tests to rule out biological factors contributing to your symptoms.
How often will we meet?
The frequency of follow-up appointments will depend on medication adjustments and the level of support most beneficial for the patient. Initially, we may meet every 1 to 4 weeks to assess overall health and develop a personalized care plan. As treatment progresses and symptoms improve, we will adjust the frequency of sessions to better match your needs.
Child & Adolescent Clients
What can we expect during our first appointment?
I structure our Child & Adolescent intakes to address both you and your child’s concerns. My extensive training with children and adolescents has led me to adopt a unique intake process. You will join your child for the first 15 minutes of their appointment; this both helps you build trust with me, and fosters your child’s comfort in this new psychiatric environment. Afterward, I will meet one-on-one with your child to conduct the initial evaluation. Time permitting, I will meet individually with the parent(s) and then we will all meet at the end of the appointment to review and discuss next steps.
Are family members involved in appointments, or do you only work with the child?
The level of family involvement varies based on their age, needs, concerns, and the type of appointment. While parental involvement is essential, I also strive to create a space where the child feels a sense of ownership over their treatment. Parents are included in the process and provide consent for any medication changes, but their level of participation is balanced to support the child's independence, engagement in care, and overall safety. Overall, I tailor my approach to each patient based on their unique needs, presentation, and treatment goals.
Do you have after school hours available?
I have a limited number of after-school appointments, which are prioritized for therapy clients because they meet more frequently. This helps minimize disruptions to their school schedules. Medication management follow-ups are typically less frequent, occurring every 2 weeks-3 months. Because of this, school-age clients may occasionally need to attend appointments during school hours. Due to this spacing, I can provide a letter to excuse your child’s absence.
Do you test and treat ADHD?
Yes, I specialize in evaluating and treating ADHD in children and adolescents. With extensive training across various facilities, I conduct comprehensive assessments using rating scales, collateral information, observations, and academic reports.
If you schedule an appointment, I will provide rating scales for parents and teachers to complete and return before the visit. Depending on your child's age, I may also ask them to complete a self-rating scale to better understand their perspective on attention, behavior, and emotions. This information helps me better understand your child’s needs and develop an effective treatment plan. I view ADHD medications as one of many tools that can support a child’s ability to focus, regulate emotions, and feel more in control.
Insurance, Payment, & Medication Policies
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare. However, I provide medical receipts after each appointment, which you can access through the patient portal. You may submit these to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement.
To determine your coverage, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask:
If you have out-of-network coverage for psychiatric care.
What percentage of fees will be reimbursed.
If they require specific billing codes (common ones I use are listed below).
Billing Codes:
Initial Evaluation: 99205 (Adult) or 99205+99417 (Child & Adolescent)
25-Min Follow-Up: 99213
Can I pay out of pocket if I have Medicaid?
No, I cannot accept private pay from Medicaid patients, including those covered by Health First Colorado. By law, only Medicaid-contracted providers can treat Medicaid recipients.
What are your payment and cancellation policies?
Payment is due at the time of service.
To ensure the best care for all patients, I require at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments canceled or rescheduled within this period, as well as no-shows, will be charged the full appointment fee. This policy allows me to provide timely care to other patients and maintain an efficient schedule.
What are your medication policies?
Taking Medications:
Take all medications exactly as prescribed.
Contact me if you believe you need a dosage adjustment.
If you take controlled substances or have a history of substance misuse, urine tests may be required.
Certain medications require lab work to ensure safety; failure to complete necessary tests may result in discontinuation.
Repeated medication misuse may lead to discharge from the practice.
Medication Refills:
Request refills at least 3 business days in advance.
Late requests may result in a rush fee and potential delays, increasing the risk of withdrawal or symptom rebound.
Refills will not be provided to patients who frequently miss or cancel follow-ups.
Pharmacy refill requests are not accepted, as they are often automated and inaccurate. Please text or email the office to request a refill.
Administrative Support
Can you fill out patient forms and provide letters?
I can provide forms and letters for actively engaged patients when clinically appropriate. However, I do not complete state disability forms. If you require documentation for work or school accommodations, please keep me informed about your symptoms and any functional impairments during appointments or via email.
Fees: Time spent preparing letters or filling out forms is billed at an hourly rate based on the time required.
What is the patient portal?
Our practice uses a secure patient portal through SimplePractice to streamline scheduling, billing, and document sharing. Each client is set up with an account, providing direct access to the portal. Through this platform, clients can complete paperwork, request and view upcoming appointments, make payments, securely message Emma, and upload files.
Once you are set up in the portal, you will receive an email from yourprovider@simplepractice.com with the subject “Welcome from Emma Brown At Empowered Psychiatry” which includes a green box prompting you to sign in. If you have any issues signing up over email, please let us know.
How does telehealth work?
Emma meets remotely with patients via Telehealth by Simple Practice. You’ll receive two separate emails with the video appointment link: one 72 hours before your appointment and another 10 minutes prior. Click on it when our appointment is scheduled to start or open it through the Telehealth by SimplePractice app (which you can download for free in the app store). You can use the camera and audio on your computer or mobile device. Please text us if you’re unable to locate the link so we can send it to you via text.
If you have any questions about telehealth on Simple Practice, feel free to check out their support page.
