Yes! We accept insurance: Aetna, Allways Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Compsych, Harvard Pilgrim, Health New England, Point32 Health Care, Oscar, Oxford, Tufts, United Health Group/Optum.

Therapy and psychiatry serve different but complementary purposes — and many people benefit from both. A psychiatric evaluation is a good starting point if you’re experiencing symptoms that may have a biological or neurological component, such as persistent depression or anxiety that hasn’t responded to talk therapy, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, racing thoughts, or significant sleep disturbances. If you’re unsure where to start, reaching out for an evaluation is always a reasonable first step. Carolyne will help you understand what level of care makes the most sense for your situation.

Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation that typically lasts 60–90 minutes. Carolyne will take time to understand your full psychiatric and medical history, your current symptoms, your lifestyle, and your personal goals. This is a real conversation — not a checklist. By the end of the session you’ll have a clear picture of what’s going on and a personalized treatment plan built around you, not a generic protocol.

Yes, absolutely. Many patients come to Mind Garden after years of treatment that felt incomplete or ineffective. Carolyne takes a thorough, integrative approach to reassessing your current treatment — looking not just at your medication but also at lifestyle factors, hormones, sleep, and stress physiology that may be contributing to why things aren’t working. A fresh, root-cause perspective often makes a significant difference.

Controlled substances may be prescribed when clinically appropriate and after a thorough evaluation. Carolyne follows all federal and state regulations regarding controlled substance prescribing, which may include urine drug screening and regular monitoring. She takes a thoughtful, evidence-based approach — prescribing only when the clinical picture supports it and when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Our telehealth appointments take place over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a quiet, private space. Research consistently shows that telehealth psychiatric care is equally as effective as in-person care for most conditions — and many patients find it easier to open up when they’re in their own environment. In-person appointments are available at our Scottsdale, AZ office when clinically appropriate.

It depends on the condition and the treatment approach. Some patients notice meaningful improvement within the first few weeks, particularly with medication. Others — especially those with more complex or longstanding presentations — may take several months to find the right combination of strategies. Carolyne is transparent about realistic timelines and checks in regularly to assess how you’re responding, adjusting your plan as needed. The goal is always sustainable progress, not just short-term relief.

Most psychiatric practices are built around volume — short appointments, quick prescriptions, and limited follow-through. Mind Garden was built around the opposite. Carolyne takes time to understand your full picture before making any recommendations, incorporates functional medicine principles to identify root causes rather than just managing symptoms, and treats every patient as a partner in their own care. The result is treatment that is more personalized, more thorough, and more effective than what most people have experienced before.