Maybe your primary care doctor suggested it. Maybe you have tried two medications on your own and neither one helped. Whatever brought you here, looking for a psychiatrist in Orlando can feel like a lot of work at a time when you have little energy to spare. This guide walks through what a psychiatrist does, what to look for, and what your first visit will involve.
What a Psychiatrist Does
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and bipolar disorder, and also prescribe medication and adjust it over time. Because they are physicians, they can also look at how your physical health, sleep, or other medications might be affecting your mood.
Many practices also have psychiatric nurse practitioners, often listed as PMHNPs. In Florida, state law allows advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe medication, including controlled substances, under a protocol with a physician. For most adults, a visit with a PMHNP covers the same ground as a visit with a psychiatrist: evaluation, diagnosis, and ongoing medication management.
If you are still deciding whether you need a psychiatrist, a therapist or both, our guide to the difference between psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists and therapists can help you sort it out.
What to Look for in a Psychiatrist in Orlando
A License and Board Certification You Can Check
Every psychiatrist practicing in Florida needs an active state license. You can look one up yourself through the Florida Department of Health’s license verification search to confirm that the license is active. Board certification is a separate step. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology lets you check a physician’s status by name, specialty, or location to see whether a psychiatrist is board certified.
Experience With What You Are Dealing With
A psychiatrist who sees a lot of adult ADHD will know its quirks. The same goes for anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. It is completely fine to ask during your first call whether the provider regularly treats your concern. At BNBA, adult psychiatry in Florida covers conditions including depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
Insurance That Actually Covers the Visit
Out-of-network psychiatry gets expensive quickly, especially if you need follow-up visits every few weeks. Before you book, check whether the practice is in-network with your plan. You can see the plans BNBA accepts on our Florida insurance page.
Availability and Flexibility
Searches for psychiatrists accepting new patients have been rising in Florida, and for good reason. Long waits are one of the most common frustrations people run into. Ask how soon you can be seen, and whether follow-up appointments can be done by telehealth. Being able to log in from home or work makes it far easier to keep regular appointments. If you’re tired of long waiting times, you can simply request an appointment to get in touch with our licensed psychiatrists.
How It Feels to Talk to Them
This one is harder to measure, but it matters. You should come away from a visit feeling heard, with a clear sense of the plan and what happens next. If a provider rushes you or brushes off your questions, it is okay to look for someone else.
What Happens at Your First Psychiatry Visit
Your first appointment is usually a psychiatric evaluation. Expect it to run longer than later visits, because your provider is trying to get the full picture. They will ask about:
What is going on now and how long it has been happening
Any past diagnoses, treatment, and medications, including what helped and what did not
Your physical health, sleep, and alcohol or substance use
Family history of mental health conditions
What you are hoping to get out of treatment
By the end, you should have a working diagnosis or a plan to clarify one, and an idea of next steps. That may involve starting a medication, adjusting one you already take, adding therapy, or some combination. Bring a list of current medications and doses, along with any records from past providers if you have them. It saves time and helps your provider see patterns.
After that, follow-up visits are usually shorter. They focus on how you are feeling, any side effects, and whether the plan needs adjusting.
Psychiatry for Children and Teens
This guide focuses on adults, but BNBA also offers psychiatry for children 7 and older in Florida. If you are looking for help for your child, you can learn more about our child and adolescent psychiatry services.
Psychiatry in Winter Park and Across Florida at BNBA
BNBA offers adult psychiatry and medication management in Florida, with in-person appointments at our Winter Park office and telehealth visits for patients anywhere in the state. That makes it an option if you live in Orlando, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, or Oviedo and want to come in, or if you would rather see someone from home.
When you are ready, call (508) 979-5557 or request an appointment online. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please do not wait for an appointment. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Referral to See a Psychiatrist in Florida?
It depends on your insurance. Some plans require a referral from your primary care doctor, while others let you book directly. Check with your insurer, or call BNBA at (508) 979-5557 and the intake team can help you find out.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse trained in mental health. In Florida, both can evaluate, diagnose and prescribe medication, and both commonly provide medication management.
Can I See a Psychiatrist Online in Florida?
Yes. BNBA offers telehealth psychiatry for patients across Florida, along with in-person visits at the Winter Park office. Some people start in-person and switch to telehealth for follow-up visits.
How Long Is the First Psychiatry Appointment?
The first visit is usually longer than follow-ups, because it is a full evaluation of your history, symptoms, and goals. Follow-up appointments are shorter and focus on how treatment is going.