Perinatal Telepsychiatry Clinic
“Our mental health journeys begin before we ever leave the womb, and are bound up in the mental health of those who raise us”
— Ernestine Benedict
Launched in response to the critical need for accessible psychiatric providers that are trained in perinatal mental health, our clinic offers psychiatric assessment, ongoing follow-up care, and medication management to new, expectant, and postpartum mothers and their families living in the state of Georgia.
The journey to and through parenthood can present some of life’s most challenging and rewarding moments. If these moments are overshadowed by postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) they can become difficult to endure or enjoy. Our goal is to work with you to address your mental health needs so that you don’t suffer through these moments alone; so that you can be fully present in your prenatal, birthing, and postpartum experience; and so that you can connect and bond with your baby during the most critical period of development.
PROCESS
Healthcare providers can refer perinatal patients for psychiatric needs by completing the referral form here.
Patients may self-refer to our clinic via phone or email.
The initial consult will last about 90 minutes, and your provider will take a comprehensive psychiatric, medical, pregnancy, and lifestyle history. From there, they may order labs, send referrals, coordinate care with your OB/GYN, request records from other providers, etc. It may take additional sessions to adequately determine the best plan of care and treatment.
This virtual clinic is not a crisis service or substitute for a higher level of care.
Please note, we do not offer substance use care or medication management for controlled substances.
Why us?
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Did you know that psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners are not required to have any education or training in perinatal mental health!? This is why so many well intentioned providers misdiagnose and mistreat women and families during the perinatal period. Our providers are Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professionals.
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PMADs are the most common complication of childbearing, and if left untreated they can cause preterm births, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and future behavioral/developmental/psychiatric health concerns. We understand how important treatment is to the overall health of mothers, babies, and families.
Resource: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students; Mental Health America; Postpartum Support International
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Often, treating PMADs is a delicate balance between risks and benefits. Evidence-based treatment requires providers to stay up to date on the latest research and participate in continued learning. Thankfully, we are complete nerds! We eat, breath, and sleep this stuff….. it’s all we do.
Resource: MGH Reproductive Psychiatry Resource & Information Center
FEES
INSURANCE
Initial consultation (90 minutes) - $300
Medication management/ follow- up visits (45 minutes) - $150
We are in-network with Optum, Aetna and Cigna. Please use Alma here and provide your insurance information to ensure verification of benefits.
Please note that Citta does not bill any other insurance carrier directly, however we can provide a superbill upon request.
If you have questions about your out-of-network mental health benefits, please contact your individual health insurance provider.
