Something happened, and part of you hasn’t been able to set it down. Maybe it comes back as nightmares, or in flashes when a sound or smell catches you off guard. Maybe you stay on high alert, sit facing the door, or avoid places and people that remind you. You might feel numb, on edge, or not quite like yourself since.
Common experiences
- Unwanted memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Feeling jumpy, on guard, or easily startled
- Avoiding people, places, or conversations that bring it back
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Feeling detached, numb, or far away from others
- Irritability or sudden anger
- Guilt or blame that won’t let up
- Trouble concentrating
Your mind and body are still trying to protect you.
After something frightening or overwhelming, such as an accident, an assault, combat, abuse, a medical emergency, or a long stretch of feeling unsafe, the brain’s threat system can stay switched on long after the danger has passed. That’s what makes reminders feel so intense and rest so hard to find.
These reactions are not a sign of weakness, and you can’t simply decide to get over them. Your nervous system is doing its job too well. With the right support, symptoms can ease and life can open back up.
Your first visit: at your pace
Your first appointment is a 60-minute psychiatric evaluation. You won’t be asked to describe what happened in detail before you’re ready. We focus on how you’re doing now.
What the evaluation covers
- Your current symptoms, including sleep, nightmares, and how on edge you feel
- Medical and psychiatric history, including anxiety, depression, and substance use
- Medications you’ve tried before, and how they worked
- Energy, mood, and how you’re functioning at work, at home, and in relationships
- Your personal context, support system, and goals, shared at your own pace
Your treatment plan may include
- Medication management when clinically appropriate, for symptoms like sleep problems, nightmares, anxiety, or low mood
- Education about how trauma affects the brain and body
- Referral to trauma-focused therapy, a core part of PTSD treatment
- Regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust
Medication is one tool, used with a clear purpose. The goal is to help you feel safer and steadier in your own life, not to change who you are.
How care works at Mode Psychiatry
Good psychiatric care takes time, teamwork, and honest explanations. Here is what that looks like for you.
Time to tell the whole story
Your first visit is a full 60 minutes, so we understand your history and what matters to you before recommending anything.
Decisions made together
You set the pace. We talk through the options, and nothing changes in your plan without your input.
Clear answers in plain language
You’ll know what your diagnosis means, why a treatment is suggested, and what to watch for. Ask anything, at any visit.
Care from home, anywhere in Florida.
Every visit happens by secure video, so getting care fits into your life instead of taking it over.
- Secure, HIPAA-compliant video visits from your phone or computer
- Available anywhere in Florida; you just need to be in the state during each visit
- No commute, no waiting room, no time off just to travel
- Consistent 30-minute follow-ups with a provider who knows your history
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma at the first visit?
No. You decide what to share and when. We can learn a lot about how you’re doing without going into the details of what happened.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to get help?
No. Trauma affects people in many ways, and not every reaction fits a single diagnosis. If something that happened still shapes how you sleep, feel, or live, it’s worth an evaluation.
Do you provide trauma therapy?
Our focus is psychiatric evaluation and medication management, with supportive conversation built into visits. For trauma-focused therapy, we’ll help connect you with a therapist and coordinate care with them.
What happens at the first appointment?
It’s a 60-minute video visit. We’ll go over your symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, past medications, sleep, and daily life, and talk about what you’d like to be different. Medication may come up, but no decision is forced or rushed. You’ll leave with clear next steps and a follow-up date.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. We’re in network with Aetna, Cigna, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare through Headway, and self-pay is available ($250 for the 60-minute evaluation, $125 for 30-minute follow-ups). We’ll verify your coverage before your first visit, so you know what to expect.
Is care available in Russian?
Yes. The entire process, from the first evaluation to follow-up visits, can be done in Russian, in English, or switching between the two.
You deserve to feel safe in your own life.
Reaching out can be hard, and you can go at your own pace. Booking takes a few minutes, and we’ll take it from there.
Written by Nick Dolin, PMHNP-BC. This page is general information, not medical advice.