Common Questions
Starting psychiatric care can feel like a big step, especially if you have never seen a psychiatrist before. These are the questions patients ask most often. If yours isn't answered here, call the office at 757-461-7571.
Questions and answers
What can a psychiatrist do for me?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of mental illness, including psychological problems. A psychiatrist completes four years of medical school after college plus at least four years of specialty medical training in psychiatry. Each psychiatrist has areas of special interest but has the skills to provide full treatment from multiple approaches. Many psychiatrists today only provide brief medication management because of insurance restrictions, while therapy is provided by a less-trained provider. I believe this splitting of treatment reduces its quality.
How is a psychiatrist different from a psychologist, counselor or therapist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who can diagnose mental illness, order lab tests, prescribe medication and provide psychotherapy. A clinical psychologist holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), provides therapy and psychological testing, and in most states does not prescribe medication. Licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors hold master's degrees and provide therapy. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced-practice nurses who can prescribe. Titles such as "therapist" or "counselor" on their own do not guarantee any particular training, so it is always fair to ask a provider about their degree, license and board certification.
What will happen at my first appointment?
At the first session, which lasts about 45 to 50 minutes, I take a comprehensive history. This includes current symptoms, past history of symptoms and treatment of mental illness, medical problems, family history of mental illness and your developmental history, and I do a mental status examination. This determines the diagnosis and the best plan of action. Sometimes complicated histories take several sessions. Doing this in less time limits the information and can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Diagnosis is the key to treatment. If the diagnosis is incorrect, treatment will not be optimal, which can cause unnecessary emotional distress and cost time and money.
How should I prepare for my first visit?
Download and complete the new patient forms and bring them with you. It also helps to bring a list of all your current medications and doses, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, and any records from previous treatment.
Will my treatment be kept confidential?
My office will not disclose any information to anyone unless you have authorized me to do so and signed an Authorization to Release Information form. If you are in danger of harming yourself or others, I am obligated by law to notify the authorities and the person you might harm. This rarely occurs. See the privacy & policy page for the full list of legal exceptions.
How long will my treatment last?
There is no precise way to predict the length of treatment. Certain conditions need little time to treat, others considerably more. Some mental illnesses require just a couple of visits; others require lifelong maintenance. I will give you my best estimate of how long treatment will take, how long each session will be and how often we will meet.
Do you prescribe medication and also provide therapy?
Yes. Follow-up treatment includes medication management, therapy or a combination of both. I find treatment becomes more effective in time and cost when it is done by one highly trained individual rather than split among multiple providers.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not participate in any HMO or insurance program, but your insurance may cover a portion of my fee. Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. See rates & insurance for details.
Do you offer couples or sex therapy?
Yes. My wife Ann and I offer Seven Weeks to a Better Sex Life, a marital sex therapy program of seven consecutive weekly 50-minute sessions for married couples. Both partners attend every session.
What if I have an emergency or an urgent situation?
I am available to my patients by phone 24/7 for emergencies. If your emergency requires immediate attention, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. You can also call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time.
Ready to take the next step? Call 757-461-7571 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Granoff. The office is at 1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 309, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.