Psychiatric Referrals & Consultations in Fort Worth

For Referring Clinicians

From clinician to clinician—stronger thinking through collaboration.

Different perspectives can help clarify complex clinical questions. We welcome the opportunity to think together about your patient’s next step.

You do not need to know exactly which treatment your patient needs before contacting us.

The Institute for Advanced Psychiatry welcomes referral and consultation inquiries from therapists, primary care clinicians, psychiatrists and other medical specialists in Fort Worth and surrounding communities.

Sometimes the next step is clear: a psychiatric evaluation, medication consultation, second opinion or assessment for an interventional treatment. At other times, you may simply want to ask whether a referral would be helpful.

We welcome both kinds of inquiries. Our office can help clarify the services we offer and how to arrange the appropriate evaluation or consultation.

A referral does not automatically mean a transfer of all care. A focused consultation or treatment evaluation can be considered while the patient’s established clinicians remain involved. The scope of our role, prescribing responsibilities and follow-up arrangements should be agreed upon explicitly.

When to consider a psychiatric referral

A referral may be helpful when a patient:

• Has depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD or other psychiatric symptoms that are not improving as expected.
• Has had an incomplete response to medication, difficulty tolerating treatment or a need to reassess the medication plan.
• Needs another perspective on diagnosis, a complex presentation or treatment options.
• Has psychiatric symptoms that complicate medical care or daily functioning.
• May need assessment of co-occurring conditions or the possible contribution of medications, substances, sleep or physical health.
• Would like to explore whether an interventional treatment may be appropriate.
• Needs psychiatric medication consultation or ongoing psychiatric management.

You may also contact us when the referral question is not yet fully defined. The purpose of an evaluation can be to clarify the next step.

Interventional psychiatry referrals: evaluation before a treatment decision

Patients do not need to arrive with a predetermined treatment plan. An appropriate evaluation considers the diagnosis, symptoms, previous treatments and responses, medical history, current medications, treatment goals and relevant risks.

The next step may be an interventional treatment, medication management, further diagnostic assessment or coordination with psychotherapy or other care. A request for evaluation does not establish eligibility for a procedure or guarantee a recommendation for it.

Deep TMS referrals

Contact us about evaluation for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The clinical indication, treatment history, tolerability and other relevant factors are reviewed before suitability is determined.

Deep TMS treatment and evaluation · Off-label and emerging TMS applications

PRISM neurofeedback for PTSD

We welcome questions about how to arrange a PRISM evaluation for PTSD. The patient’s history, symptoms and clinical circumstances must be assessed before a treatment decision is made.

PRISM neurofeedback for PTSD

IV ketamine referrals

Clinicians may inquire about an IV ketamine evaluation for carefully selected adults with treatment-resistant depression. IV ketamine for depression is an off-label use; it is not FDA-approved for psychiatric disorders.

IV ketamine treatment, evaluation and safety information

Collaboration with therapists

You may recognize that a patient is engaged in psychotherapy but remains significantly depressed, anxious, affected by obsessive-compulsive or trauma-related symptoms, or impaired in daily functioning.

A referral can request psychiatric evaluation, medication management or assessment for an interventional treatment while the patient continues psychotherapy with you, when clinically appropriate.

The goal is to support the patient’s broader care rather than assume an established therapeutic relationship needs to be replaced. With appropriate patient authorization, communication with the treating therapist can help clarify goals and coordinate care.

Collaboration with primary care clinicians and medical specialists

Psychiatric and medical concerns may overlap. Evaluation may need to consider co-occurring medical conditions, pain, sleep problems, substance use and medication effects. Some medical conditions or medications can produce symptoms resembling a psychiatric condition or complicate an existing presentation.

You may refer when the diagnosis is uncertain, treatment response is inadequate, medication decisions have become difficult or a specialized psychiatric evaluation is being considered.

With appropriate patient authorization, relevant findings and treatment recommendations can be communicated to the referring clinician. Let us know which medical and psychiatric questions you would like addressed.

Referrals from psychiatrists and other psychiatric clinicians

You may wish to continue managing a patient’s psychiatric care while requesting a second opinion or evaluation for a specific intervention, such as Deep TMS, PRISM for PTSD or IV ketamine.

Please specify the role you are requesting from our practice. A referral for a treatment evaluation does not by itself transfer medication management or all psychiatric care. Responsibilities for prescribing, communication and follow-up should be clarified together.

How to begin a referral or consultation request

1. Contact our office at 817-659-7344. Identify yourself as a referring clinician and provide your practice contact details and the general purpose of the inquiry.
2. Tell us what you would like to clarify. For example: whether a referral is appropriate, a diagnostic or medication question for a formal consultation, or evaluation for an interventional treatment.
3. Ask how to send records. Contact the office before transmitting patient-identifying information or clinical documents, so the appropriate method and authorization requirements can be confirmed.
4. Clarify the next step. The office will explain the scheduling process and consultation arrangements. An inquiry is not an appointment confirmation.

Information that may help with an evaluation

Depending on the consultation question, helpful records may include recent clinical notes, relevant diagnoses and history, current and previous psychiatric medications with response and tolerability, relevant medical or laboratory information, prior treatment history and the specific question you would like addressed.

Send only information appropriate to the request through the method confirmed by our office. Our general contact form is for initial contact: provide professional contact details and a general reason for the inquiry, without patient names, dates of birth, records or detailed case information.

Common referral questions

Can a therapist refer a patient?

Yes. Therapists may contact our office about psychiatric evaluation, medication management or evaluation for an interventional treatment. You do not need to decide which treatment is appropriate before initiating an inquiry.

Can I ask a question before referring?

Yes. We welcome questions about services, referral suitability and how to arrange the appropriate consultation. Logistical questions can be handled by staff; requests requiring clinician input can be directed appropriately. A preliminary exchange is not a substitute for a formal patient-specific assessment or consultation.

Can I request a formal psychiatric second opinion?

Yes. Explain the question you would like addressed and whether you are seeking a focused consultation or ongoing care. The appropriate appointment and scope will be clarified before scheduling.

Can I refer only for TMS or another intervention while continuing psychiatric care?

A focused treatment evaluation can be requested without automatically transferring all care. Tell us which services you want to continue providing so clinical responsibilities, communication and follow-up can be defined.

Does my patient need to have tried several medications before I ask about a TMS evaluation?

You may contact us with the referral question before deciding which intervention is appropriate. Share prior treatments, responses and tolerability when records are requested. The evaluating clinician will review the indication and other relevant criteria; an inquiry or referral is not a determination of treatment eligibility.

Where can I find appointment and fee information?

See our first-visit information and fees and booking information, or ask the office about the type of consultation requested. Services and age eligibility depend on the clinician and the treatment being considered.