Frequently Asked Questions

Connect with Kate and Color Wheel Psychiatry through the website’s Contact Form and we’ll go from there!

Honestly? Maybe.

Medication can be helpful for some people, at some points in their lives—but it isn’t the right choice for everyone, and it isn’t always the first step. Your history, symptoms, goals, values, past experiences with treatment, and what you’re dealing with right now all matter.

For some, medication helps restore balance and create enough stability to feel like themselves again. For others, therapy, lifestyle changes, or support alone may be enough. Many people find that a combination works best—and that can change over time.

At Color Wheel Psychiatry, medication is never automatic and never one-size-fits-all. Decisions are made collaboratively, with space to ask questions, express concerns, and move at a pace that feels right for you. Your lived experience is the most important part of the conversation.

The goal isn’t to medicate you—it’s to help you feel better, in a way that respects who you are.

I hope not!

This is one of the most common concerns that comes up when we begin talking about psychotropic medications. Simply put, if you ever feel unlike yourself in a way that feels negative or concerning, that’s considered a side effect—and we will adjust the plan. The goal is never to change who you are, but to help you feel more like yourself again.

This is a very common and valid concern. The short answer is: most psychiatric medications are not addictive.

Medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and many medications used for anxiety or ADHD do not create cravings, euphoria, or loss of control—the key features of addiction. These medications work by gradually supporting brain chemistry and functioning, not by producing a “high.”

Some medications can lead to physical dependence, meaning your body adjusts to their presence over time. This is different from addiction. Physical dependence does not involve compulsive use, and it’s managed safely by adjusting or tapering medication slowly and thoughtfully if it’s no longer needed.

A small number of psychiatric medications—such as certain anti-anxiety or sleep medications—do carry a higher risk of dependence. When these are considered, they are prescribed carefully, at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest appropriate duration, and with close monitoring.

At Color Wheel Psychiatry, medication decisions are collaborative and transparent. We discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives, and we regularly reassess whether a medication is still serving you. If your goals change or concerns arise, we adjust the plan together.

The goal is not long-term medication use for its own sake—it’s safe, effective care that supports your well-being and respects your autonomy.

Amazing question.

Reproductive psychiatry is a specialty focused on mental health during times of hormonal and reproductive change — including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, and perimenopause.

It recognizes how shifts in hormones, identity, relationships, and life roles can affect mood, anxiety, focus, and overall wellbeing, and provides thoughtful, evidence-based care tailored to those seasons of life.

It can also include mental health support for partners — including paternal mental health and the wellbeing of partners of birthing people — recognizing that reproductive transitions affect the whole family system.

Kate incorporates brief, supportive therapy into psychiatry appointments when it’s helpful. Sessions often include space to talk through challenges, build insight, and develop practical strategies—not just medication management.

That said, many people benefit from working with an individual therapist for more in-depth or ongoing therapy. If you already have a therapist, or decide to start with one, Kate welcomes collaboration and can coordinate care with your therapist and any other members of your treatment team.

No. Color Wheel Psychiatry, LLC is a fully remote practice, offering only telehealth services to those located in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Color Wheel Psychiatry is currently in network with Aetna, United Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield (including FEP), and Cigna. We are in the process of credentialing with additional insurance companies.

If your insurance is not listed, a superbill can be provided upon receipt of payment which you can submit to insurance for reimbursement.

To start, you can outreach your insurance company directly and ask the following questions: 

“I’m hoping to meet with a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is outside of my insurance network, and I will be paying them directly. What are my out-of-network benefits? Specifically, how much of the appointment fee will I be reimbursed through my plan?”

“The nurse practitioner will give me a Superbill (receipt) for my appointments; do you have a specific form I need to complete in addition to the Superbill in order to get reimbursed? Where do I send this form(s)?”

“How many days can I expect my reimbursement to take?”

“Will I be receiving a check or will the money be deposited into my bank account?”

For more detailed information on superbills, click here.

​60-90 min Initial Psychiatric Evaluation: $350

30 min Medication Management Follow-up: $150

45 min Medication Management Follow-up: $225

60 min Medication Management Follow-up: $300