“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
“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
At LifeCare Counseling & Psychiatry, we believe in a whole-person approach to mental health. Our psychiatric services are designed to support individuals struggling with a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, offering both medication management and personalized treatment planning.
Psychiatry is a specialized field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions through a combination of psychotropic medications, clinical assessments, and supportive therapies. Unlike general practitioners, psychiatrists are medical doctors trained specifically in brain function and mental health, giving them the expertise to evaluate complex symptoms and prescribe effective medications when needed.
For many clients, psychiatric medications can help restore balance to brain chemistry, reduce the severity of symptoms, and improve overall functioning. Our psychiatrists work in close partnership with our licensed therapists to provide integrated care—ensuring that every aspect of your well-being is addressed: body, mind, and soul.
Your first psychiatric appointment will last approximately 90 minutes and includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This in-depth assessment helps your psychiatric provider understand your unique history, current challenges, and treatment goals. Topics we’ll cover include:
Current symptoms and emotional health
Medical history and current medications
Previous psychiatric diagnoses or treatments
Family medical and mental health history
Social and environmental stressors
Based on this evaluation, your psychiatric provider will create a customized treatment plan, which may include medication management, referrals to counseling, or recommendations for additional supports.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Yes. Please bring a list of your current medications, your insurance card, and any relevant medical records. Be prepared to discuss your personal and family health history in detail.
Can I bring a friend or family member with me?
Absolutely. Having someone you trust can offer emotional support and help you remember important information.
Will medication be discussed at my first appointment?
Yes. Your psychiatric provider will explain any recommended medications, potential side effects, and how to manage them. We value informed decision-making and make time to answer your questions thoroughly.
What’s the difference between seeing a psychiatrist versus my primary care doctor?
While many primary care providers can prescribe psychiatric medications, our psychiatric providers have extensive training in mental health and typically spend more time conducting detailed evaluations. They are better equipped to manage complex psychiatric conditions and provide specialized medication support.
We proudly offer psychiatric services and medication management at our three North Carolina locations:
Raleigh
Holly Springs
Wake Forest
We also offer telepsychiatry services, allowing clients across North Carolina—including Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and Fuquay-Varina—to access high-quality psychiatric care from the comfort of their own homes.
Our psychiatric providers support individuals struggling with a range of mental health conditions, including:
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Bipolar disorder
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
PTSD
OCD
Mood and sleep disorders
Whether you’re looking for short-term support during a difficult season or long-term treatment for a chronic condition, LifeCare is here to help.
If you or a loved one are seeking psychiatric care in North Carolina, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced psychiatric providers by calling 919-851-1527. We’ll partner with you every step of the way to develop a care plan that supports your emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
📍 Serving Raleigh, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, and all of North Carolina via Telehealth
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.
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.
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.
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.