“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

What is Psychiatry?

Psychiatry is a medical profession that specializes in treating mental health through medications and other therapies. Sometimes medications are needed to help restore physiological balance and correct functioning in the brain.  A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can help determine the best treatment choices. Our psychiatric and therapy team work together to address the whole person to help restore health to the body, mind, and soul. Sometimes medication management along with therapy is the best path for healing.

 

What Can I Expect at My First Appointment?

At your first appointment, you can expect to have an hour and a half session with your psychiatrist where a full evaluation will be conducted. This assessment is essential in understanding you as best as possible. Your psychiatrist will ask you questions concerning your current situation as well as your medical, psychiatric, family psychiatric, family medical, and social history. This information helps guide the best treatment going forward.

Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?

Yes. Plan to bring your medications. Plan to discuss your medical history, psychiatric history including past medications you may have tried, family medical history, and family psychiatric history.

 

Can I bring a friend or family member?

Yes.

 

What does payment look like?

Plan to bring your insurance card and form of payment. We will call you prior to your appointment to confirm, but if you have not heard from us, please call so we can gather your insurance information, etc…

 

What if I have questions concerning medication?

Your time with the psychiatrist will also be a process of discussing medication so that you can have a thorough understanding of your choices as well as how to manage your medications.

 

What is the difference between going to my doctor for medication verses visiting a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists specifically work in the mental health field to understand the functioning and balance of the brain. In addition, they are able to take more time to do a full evaluation of the whole person in order to make the best choices for medication usage. Our psychiatrist takes the time to listen carefully to your situation and concerns in addition to discussing therapy options or other avenues of self-care.

 

Where are your Psychiatric Services, Psychiatry and Medication Management offered?

LifeCare offers Psychiatric Services including Psychiatry and Medication Management in three different physical locations–Raleigh, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest. We also offer Psychiatry and Medication Management via Telehealth. These locations and our virtual offering allow us to provide Psychiatry and Medication Management throughout North Carolina including local cities like Durham, Chapel Hill, Fuquay Varina, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and other surrounding locations.

  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Adam is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and has been working in mental health since 2013. He brings his past experiences of being an educator and a coach into his psychiatric practice with a unique blend of coaching, motivation, education and psychopharmacology. Adam highly encourages the integration of diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle practices with conventional medicine.

  • Psychiatrist

    Dr. Ballantine is committed to assisting her patients with the best care and information concerning their mental health needs. She understands the therapeutic process and when medication is needed in order to maintain balance and healthy living. Dr. Ballantine is a wonderful resource and has assisted many individuals with proper evaluations and growth, so they can live life as it was meant to be.

  • Psychiatric Provider

    In 1998 Dan received his Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant studies from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania.  He has earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Psychiatry.  As Dan’s patients attest, his early career experiences in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Integrative Medicine and women’s health inform a whole person perspective when looking at complex problems that affect the psyche.

  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Christine is certified as an Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has experience in palliative care, outpatient psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry.