Q: What should I bring to my first visit?

A: Please provide your insurance card, if applicable, as well as your drivers license or picture id. If you are currently or have been taking medication of any kind, a list with the names and dosage is very helpful to better evaluate your needs. This information can easily be obtained from your pharmacy. Additionally, you can ask for a pharmacy printout of your past medications.  Although this will include all medications that you have been prescribed, the psychiatric ones from your history can clearly be selected out, along with the dosages that you were given.

You can download the initial paperwork prior to your first visit and bring them with you by clicking on the links listed on the left side of this page.

Q: Is a parent or guardian required to be present at their child’s appointments?

A: All children under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian present for visits with Dr. Amann. However this is not a requirement for individual and group therapy sessions unless instructed otherwise.

Q: What should I expect at my first visit?

A: You should expect a big welcome and a warm atmosphere! During your first visit you will provide both background information and your current reason for seeking assistance. Dr. Amann generally evaluates clients initially, and determines what your general needs are. Once she has met with you a few times, she can better help you understand if your treatment requirements include therapy alone, or medications and therapy. At the first visit, she will give you a packet of rating scales that you will need to complete between the first and the second visit. Usually the follow up visit with Dr. Amann is within 7-10 days of your initial visit. We ask that you bring the rating scales back with you rather than mail them, as they may get lost. Typically, counseling is recommended. Dr. Amann will generally recommend a therapist at BMC-Troy that will suit your specific needs, as she does not do the counseling herself. We understand that some of you may come in already working with an outside therapist, and we will try to accommodate your continuing with them, as long as Dr. Amann feels comfortable with this. One of the benefits of seeing a therapist at BMC-Troy is that Dr. Amann and your counselor can have a quicker, more efficient means of communicating about progression towards goals and treatment plans/recommendations. If you do continue to see a therapist elsewhere, we will need to have a release signed before Dr. Amann can have any contact with them.

Q: How long will my visits be?

A: An initial intake with Dr. Amann will be 40 minutes and follow up visits will be 20 minutes. Dr. Amann treats all ages. If you are under the age of 18, a parent must be present for all sessions with her. If you are undergoing therapy, some time will be spent with your child/adolescent alone with their counselor. Therapy sessions are 25 minutes for a half session and 50 minutes for a full session, though we recommend full sessions for most patients. Most group sessions will run 90 minutes unless noted otherwise.

Q: My family and I have a busy schedule, do therapists have flexibility in their appointments?

A: Our therapists understand the needs of their patients and provide a variety of appointment times. You will be given a general sense of your therapist’s availability upon scheduling. All of our therapists have evening hours and some of them have weekend hours as well.

Q: What is a Med Review?

A: Dr. Amann will meet with you (and your parent if under the age of 18) to discuss how you are doing on a medication, and if the dosage of medication is the correct one for you. At times, she asks for input from others – like spouses or significant others in the case of adults, and teachers in the case of a child or adolescent. This is typically done with rating scales that they complete with your permission.

Q: How are payments made?

A: Please refer to our financial policy/payment responsibility this link for more details. We are expected to collect your copay and deductibles at the time of service. Exceptions cannot be made.

Q: How do I get a prescription refill?

A: If your prescription can be faxed, we require a 48-hour notice, by phone. Please tell us the medication you are in need of, and your pharmacy information. If you are on a medication that cannot be faxed or called in, we will need you to pick up the prescription at the office during regular front office hours, and 48 hours notice is still required. BMC Troy will mail your prescription for these particular medications, but if you select to have this done, we will need four days notice, and charge a $15.00 annual fee (beginning in January of each calendar year). This is to cover not only the stamps and envelopes, but also the administrative time required for mailing.

Q: What if I miss my appointment or have to cancel?

A: At BMC-Troy, we understand that situations come up that require you to cancel or change your appointments, however, we do require 24-hour notice for all cancellations. Without 24-hour notice, you will be subject to a late cancellation fee of $90.00. We also charge this fee for “no show” appointments. If you are more than 20 minutes late for your psychotheropy visit, you will need to understand and sign our late show policy. Please ask for details. Some of our clinicians give reminder calls the day before your appointment. Please note that a reminder call is a courtesy, and may not occur for every clinician or every appointment. You are responsible to keep track of your own appointment.

Q: What do I do if it is after hours and I need to speak to someone?

A: You can call our after hours number (248-764-8440) and leave a message for Dr. Amann or any of our therapists. Please note that this should be used for urgent purposes only. Anything else should be dealt with the following business day. If you are in a situation that is a life threatening emergency, proceed to the nearest local emergency room.