A thorough psychiatric evaluation is where good treatment begins.
At Wave Psychiatric Group, our initial diagnostic assessment is designed to do one thing well: understand you fully. Not just your symptoms, but your history, your context, and the full clinical picture that will guide every treatment decision that follows.
What is a psychiatric diagnostic assessment?
A psychiatric diagnostic assessment is a comprehensive clinical evaluation conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist. It is the essential first step for any new patient — and the foundation upon which an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan are built.
During the assessment, your psychiatrist will take a thorough psychiatric history, review your medical background, explore your family history of mental illness, assess your current symptoms across multiple diagnostic domains, and begin forming a clinical impression of what is driving your presentation. Depending on your situation, the assessment may also include a review of prior records, coordination with your primary care physician, or recommendations for laboratory workup to rule out medical contributors to psychiatric symptoms.
The goal is not simply to assign a diagnosis. It is to understand who you are as a patient — and to ensure that the treatment plan we develop together is grounded in a complete and accurate picture of your mental health.
Why the quality of your initial evaluation matters
Psychiatric misdiagnosis is more common than most patients realize. Bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for major depression — leading to years of antidepressant monotherapy that may destabilize mood. ADHD in adults often presents as anxiety or depression and goes unrecognized. Trauma histories shape symptom presentations in ways that are easy to miss without careful, unhurried inquiry. Personality disorders, medical conditions, and substance use can mimic or mask primary psychiatric illness.
A rushed or superficial evaluation doesn't just delay the right treatment — it can lead to the wrong one. At Wave, our initial assessments and all follow-up appointments are conducted exclusively by board-certified psychiatrists who take the time required to get the diagnosis right from the start.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your initial diagnostic assessment at Wave is scheduled for 50 minutes. This is intentionally longer than a standard follow-up visit — it gives your psychiatrist the time needed to conduct a thorough evaluation without rushing.
During your assessment, your psychiatrist will cover:
Your chief concern and current symptoms
What is bringing you in now — the nature, severity, duration, and impact of your current symptoms on daily life, work, and relationships.
Psychiatric history
Any prior diagnoses, past episodes of illness, previous treatments and how you responded to them, hospitalizations, and any history of self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Medical history and current medications
Medical conditions that can affect mental health — thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, neurological issues, hormonal changes — and a complete medication review including supplements.
Family psychiatric history
First- and second-degree relatives with psychiatric illness, which informs both diagnosis and treatment selection.
Developmental and social history
Your upbringing, significant life events, trauma history, relationships, education, occupation, and current living situation — the context that shapes who you are and how you experience illness.
Substance use history
Current and past use of alcohol, cannabis, and other substances, which can precipitate, mimic, or complicate virtually every psychiatric condition.
Mental status examination
A structured clinical assessment of your appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content, cognition, insight, and judgment.
After your assessment
At the close of your initial evaluation, your psychiatrist will share their clinical impressions and diagnostic formulation — including any differential diagnoses being considered — and discuss the range of treatment options available to you. Together, you will develop a treatment plan that reflects your clinical needs, your preferences, and your goals.
Depending on what your evaluation reveals, your treatment plan may include medication management, psychotherapy, or both. If your needs extend beyond what our practice offers, we will provide direct referrals to trusted colleagues in our clinical network.
Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled within two to four weeks of your initial assessment, or sooner if clinically indicated.
Who should consider a psychiatric diagnostic assessment?
A diagnostic assessment is appropriate for anyone who:
Has never seen a psychiatrist before and is experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood instability, inattention, psychosis, or other psychiatric concerns
Has a prior psychiatric diagnosis and is questioning whether it is accurate, complete, or appropriately treated
Has been treated for a psychiatric condition and is not responding as expected — raising the possibility of a missed or comorbid diagnosis
Is starting a new phase of treatment — new medications, psychotherapy, or a transition in care — and wants a fresh, comprehensive clinical evaluation
Is managing a complex presentation involving multiple diagnoses, multiple medications, or co-occurring medical and psychiatric illness
Is a primary care physician, therapist, or other provider seeking a formal consultation on behalf of a patient
Diagnostic assessment at Wave vs. other evaluations
Many patients receive their initial psychiatric diagnosis from a primary care physician, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or psychotherapists — and many of those diagnoses are correct. But non-psychiatrist clinicians do not receive the same years or depths of training in proper diagnosing as psychiatrists do.
A board-certified psychiatrist brings specialized training in the full breadth of psychiatric differential diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and the complex interplay between psychiatric and medical conditions. For patients with complex, treatment-resistant, or uncertain presentations, a formal psychiatric evaluation provides a level of diagnostic rigor that a primary care visit cannot replicate.
Insurance and fees
Wave Psychiatric Group accepts Aetna, Optum / UnitedHealthcare Behavioral Health, Meritain Health, Oxford Health Plans, ComPsych, UC SHIP, and others for diagnostic assessment appointments. Self-pay rates are also available.
Call us at 323-688-6380 or complete our intake form and our team will verify your benefits before your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a psychiatric diagnostic assessment take?
Your initial assessment is scheduled for 50 minutes. In some cases — particularly for complex presentations or when a detailed records review is warranted — your psychiatrist may recommend a second evaluation appointment before finalizing a diagnostic formulation.
Will I receive a diagnosis at my first appointment?
In most cases, yes. Your psychiatrist will share their clinical impressions and working diagnosis at the end of your evaluation. In complex cases where the picture requires more time to clarify, they will explain what additional information is needed and what the differential diagnosis includes.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist at Wave?
No referral is required to schedule a diagnostic assessment at Wave. However, if your insurance plan requires a referral for specialist visits, please check with your insurer prior to your appointment and request one from your primary care physician if needed.
Do you see patients for second opinions?
Yes. We regularly conduct second-opinion evaluations for patients who have been diagnosed or treated elsewhere and want an independent clinical assessment. If you are bringing records from prior treatment, please have them sent to our office in advance of your appointment.
Can my primary care physician or psychotherapist receive a copy of my evaluation?
Yes, with your written consent. Coordinating care with your primary care physician — and with any therapist or other treating clinician — is something we actively encourage and facilitate.