Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Suburban Behavioral Health Services
General Questions
What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor/therapist?
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who is trained to diagnose and treat psychological and behavioral problems. This is done through a detailed face-to-face interview, followed by the implementation of psychotherapy and the use of medications where necessary.
A psychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology who diagnoses mental health issues and treats them with various psychotherapeutic techniques. Psychologists have limited medication prescribing rights in some states.
A counselor is a Masters-level graduate who has additional clinical training in the mental health field to assess and treat psychiatric and behavioral health problems. A counselor generally focuses on providing therapy to individuals, couples, or families. Counselors do not prescribe medications.
Should I schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist or a therapist?
Our psychiatrist will work with the patient to discuss medication options, prescribe medication, and set up periodic appointments to monitor the effects of the medication. The therapist will meet with the patient to provide aid in such matters as relationship conflict, self-esteem/confidence issues, anxiety/OCD/ADHD disorders, life transitions, or other personal stressors.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, we take most major commerical insurances like, BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, United Health Care, DuPage Medical Group, and Medicare.
Do you take self-pay patients?
Indeed! We do have a self-pay rate accessible for you if you currently have no insurance or if your insurance falls outside of the accepted insurance. To speak with one of our intake specialists, please call our office.
How long is a therapy session?
Generally, therapy sessions are 45–60 minutes. Psychiatrist sessions are 45-60 minutes for initial evaluations and then 15–20 minutes for follow-up appointments.
For treatment of adolescents, our psychiatrist requires to see parents separately one time for 30 minutes. This is done in order to understand the family dynamics, which will help in formulating a specific treatment for the adolescent. A follow-up session of another 30 minutes may be needed sometime in the course of the treatment to gauge the progress and get feedback from parents.
What services does Suburban Behavioral Health offer?
We provide comprehensive mental health care, including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and advanced treatments such as TMS Therapy, SPRAVATO® (esketamine) nasal spray, and IV Ketamine therapy for individuals with depression and other mood disorders.
Who can receive treatment at Suburban Behavioral Health?
We treat adults experiencing conditions such as major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other psychiatric conditions. Eligibility for certain treatments depends on clinical evaluation.
Do I need a referral?
A referral is not required. Patients may self-refer by contacting our office directly to schedule an appointment.
Medication Management
What is medication management?
Medication management involves a thorough psychiatric evaluation and ongoing follow-up visits to prescribe, monitor, and adjust medications as needed to ensure effectiveness and minimize side effects.
How often will I have medication appointments?
Frequency varies based on individual needs but typically includes regular follow-ups every 4–12 weeks, or more often when starting or changing medications.
TMS Therapy (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
What is TMS therapy?
TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation.
Who is a candidate for TMS?
TMS is commonly used for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, meaning depression that has not adequately responded to antidepressant medications.
What happens during a TMS session?
Sessions are conducted in-office, last about 20–40 minutes, and do not require anesthesia. Patients can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Is TMS covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans cover TMS therapy. Our team will help verify benefits and obtain prior authorization if needed.
SPRAVATO® (Esketamine) Nasal Spray
What is SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray used in combination with an oral antidepressant for adults with treatment-resistant depression or depressive symptoms with acute suicidal ideation.
How is SPRAVATO® administered?
SPRAVATO® is administered in our clinic under medical supervision. Patients are monitored for at least two hours after each treatment for safety.
How often are treatments given?
Treatment frequency typically starts at twice weekly and gradually decreases during the maintenance phase, depending on response.
Can I drive after a SPRAVATO® treatment?
No. Patients must arrange transportation home, as driving is not permitted the same day.
IV Ketamine Therapy
What is IV Ketamine therapy?
IV Ketamine therapy involves a controlled intravenous infusion of ketamine, shown to provide rapid symptom relief for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic mood disorders.
How quickly does IV Ketamine work?
Some patients experience improvement within hours to days, though a series of treatments is often recommended for optimal results.
Is IV Ketamine FDA-approved?
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic and is used off-label for mental health treatment under medical supervision.
Is IV Ketamine covered by insurance?
IV Ketamine therapy is typically self-pay. Our office can provide transparent pricing and discuss treatment plans.
Safety & Next Steps
Are these treatments safe?
Yes. All treatments are administered and monitored by trained medical professionals following established safety protocols.
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
Your provider will complete a comprehensive evaluation and discuss all available options to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can contact Suburban Behavioral Health Services directly by phone or through our website to schedule an initial consultation.
What are your hours?
Office hours are 9:00am -530pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am-12:00pm Saturday-Therapist only.
Can you provide any helpful links?
http://www.adhdandyou.com
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
http://www.nami.org
http://www.dbsalliance.org
