Psychiatric Evaluation Services in Florida: In-Person in Tampa or Online
Reviewed by Dr. Manita Shrestha, DNP, PMHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. Last reviewed 10/8/2026.
MindBrook Psychiatry offers psychiatric evaluations for adults 18 and older, in person at our Tampa office or by secure video session anywhere in Florida. Your visit lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour and most new patients are seen within two weeks for follow-up. You can also book a free 15-minute consultation first, to see if we are a good fit before you schedule.
At a glance
- Adults aged 18 and older
- In person (Tampa) or virtual (anywhere in Florida)
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Free 15-minute consultation available before booking
- Insurance accepted, including Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, UMR, TRICARE, and Medicare
- Self-pay: $250 initial evaluation, $150 follow-up visits
What Is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is a one-on-one visit where a mental health psychiatric provider reviews your symptoms, history, and daily life to understand what is going on and recommend next steps. It can clarify a diagnosis, help rule out other causes, and lead to a treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or both. It is usually the first step in psychiatric care.
Who Should Consider a Psychiatric Evaluation?
You do not need to be in crisis to get evaluated. Many adults come in because something has been off for weeks or years and they want answers. An evaluation may help if you notice:
- Sadness, low mood, or loss of interest that lingers
- Constant worry, racing thoughts, or panic attacks
- Trouble focusing, finishing tasks, or staying organized
- Big mood swings, or stretches of unusually high energy
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or motivation
- Distress after a traumatic event
- Unwanted thoughts or habits you feel you cannot stop
- Symptoms that affect your work, school, or relationships
- Medication that is not working the way you hoped
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. MindBrook provides routine outpatient care and is not an emergency service.
What Happens During Your Psychiatric Evaluation at MindBrook?
Here is the process from booking to your first follow-up, so nothing about the visit is a surprise.
- Book your visit. Choose a virtual or in-person appointment. If you would like to meet the provider first, ask for the free 15-minute consultation.
- We verify your insurance. Our team checks your coverage before the visit so you know what to expect.
- Complete your forms. Before your intake session, you will receive a few forms: a new patient intake form (past medications, current problems and symptoms, medical history and conditions, psychiatric history), the MindBrook Psychiatry consent form, a GAD-7, and a PHQ-9. The GAD-7 and PHQ-9 are short questionnaires that screen for anxiety and depression symptoms. They are screening tools, not diagnoses, and they give your provider a useful starting point.
- We request your records, with your consent. If you have seen other providers, we can request your medical records from them.
- Your evaluation (45 minutes to 1 hour). Our Provider will talk to you about your current symptoms, your medical and psychiatric history, your past and current medications, and how all of it affects your daily life. You set the pace, and you can ask questions at any point.
- You leave with a clear next step. Provider explains what she is seeing, discusses a diagnosis if one fits, and builds a treatment plan with you.
- Follow-up care. Regular follow-up visits may be recommended to check symptoms, how well a treatment is working, side effects, and overall progress.
In-Person in Tampa or Online Anywhere in Florida
In person (Tampa)
Address: University Lakes Professional Park, 14505 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33613
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 6 PM, Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM. Closed Sunday.
Convenient for patients across North Tampa and nearby areas such as New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Temple Terrace, Carrollwood, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.
Online (anywhere in Florida)
The same evaluation, done by secure video from your home or office. It is a good fit if you have a busy schedule, limited transportation, or simply feel more comfortable at home. Learn more about telehealth at MindBrook.
Adult ADHD Evaluation
f you suspect ADHD, an evaluation is where that conversation starts. Your provider reviews your symptoms and history to decide on next steps, and sometimes more than one visit is needed to reach a confident answer. See our page on ADHD care in Tampa and our guide to how to get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult in Tampa.
Medication Review and Management
If you already take psychiatric medication and want a fresh look, or if medication is part of your new treatment plan, your evaluation leads naturally into medication management.
Types of Psychiatric Evaluations We Offer
All evaluations at MindBrook are for adults 18 and older.
Adult Psychiatric Evaluation
Our core service: a full review of your symptoms and history, leading to a diagnosis (when appropriate) and a treatment plan. It is the right starting point for new patients with anxiety, depression, mood changes, trauma symptoms, sleep problems, or other concerns.
Online (Virtual) Psychiatric Evaluation
- You will need to be physically located in Florida during the visit.
- Join from a quiet, private space with a stable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone.
- Have your medication list nearby so you can read names and doses accurately.
Not sure which to choose? Both formats use the same process, and the same provider. Pick what makes it easiest to show up and speak openly. Read our tips on how to prepare for a virtual psychiatric evaluation.
What Conditions Can a Psychiatric Evaluation Identify?
An evaluation looks at the whole picture, so it can help sort out symptoms that overlap, such as anxiety and ADHD, or depression and bipolar disorder. Common concerns we evaluate and treat include:
Depression
Anxiety and panic disorders
ADHD
Bipolar disorder
PTSD and trauma
OCD
Insomnia and sleep problems
Stress and adjustment disorder
Peripartum (pregnancy and postpartum) depression
Psychiatric Evaluation vs. Psychological Evaluation: What Is the Difference?
People often search for one when they need the other, so here is the short version.
A psychiatric evaluation is a clinical visit with a psychiatric provider. It focuses on diagnosing a mental health condition and planning treatment, including therapy and medication. It is what MindBrook provides, and it typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
A psychological evaluation usually means formal testing given by a psychologist, such as neuropsychological, IQ, learning, or personality testing. It often takes several hours across one or more sessions and produces a detailed written report.
MindBrook does not provide formal psychological or neuropsychological testing. If your situation calls for it, for example a school, legal, or disability request, we can point you toward the right kind of provider. If you are not sure which one you need, the free 15-minute consultation is a good place to ask. You can also read our guide on ADHD screening vs. neuropsychological testing.
How Much Does a Psychiatric Evaluation Cost in Tampa?
With insurance. We accept Florida Blue, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, UMR, TRICARE, and Medicare, along with other plans. We verify your insurance before your visit. If you do not see your plan, contact our office and we will confirm your coverage. Details are on our insurance page.
Self-pay. The initial psychiatric evaluation is $250, and follow-up visits are $150.
Is there a free psychiatric evaluation? A full evaluation is not free at MindBrook, but the 15-minute consultation with the provider is. It is a chance to ask questions and see if we are right for you. If cost is a barrier, local community mental health centers and the 211 helpline can point you to low-cost or free services, and 988 is free and available 24/7 for anyone in distress.
How to Prepare for Your Evaluation
A little preparation helps you get more out of the visit.
- Fill out your intake form, consent form, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 before the appointment
- Write down your main symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse
- List every medication and supplement you take, with doses, plus past medications you remember
- Note any past diagnoses, hospital stays, or previous treatment
- Have your insurance card and photo ID ready
- Write down your questions, and what you hope to get from the visit
What Happens After Your Evaluation?
By the end of your visit, you should know what your provider thinks is going on and what she recommends. Depending on your needs, your plan may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, additional screening, or a mix of these. If medication is appropriate, Dr. Shrestha will talk through options, benefits, and possible side effects with you before anything starts.
Follow-up visits help us check how you are doing, adjust the plan, and watch for side effects. When it helps, MindBrook can coordinate with your therapist or other treating clinicians so your care stays connected.
Level of care. MindBrook provides routine outpatient psychiatric services. If you need emergency psychiatric care, detoxification, intensive substance-use treatment, or a higher level of care, we will refer you to a service that can support you better.
Meet Your Evaluating Provider
Dr. Manita Shrestha, DNP, PMHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC is a dual-certified psychiatric and primary care nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree from NYU and a doctorate from Rutgers University. Her approach combines medication management with psychotherapy, in a safe, non-judgmental setting where you can speak openly. Learn more about your provider.
What Patients Say
Lorri Finn
Manita Shrestha is an amazing Psychiatrist! I always feel so much better after talking to her. She is professional but makes you feel like a friend. Very knowledgeably, she has brought be out of very dark places and gives me hope. If you want a person that is on top of there profession and really cares she is the perfect fit!!
Kelly Wharton
Dr. Shrestha is very helpful! I really enjoy our conversations and the help.
Tom Calderaro
Dr. Shrestha is very compassionate and understanding of your concerns. Also very knowledgeable with medication management.
Frequently Asked Questions
It includes a conversation about your current symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, and medications, plus screening questionnaires such as the GAD-7 and PHQ-9. Your provider then discusses what she thinks is going on and builds a treatment plan with you.
At MindBrook, an evaluation takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Plan a few extra minutes for check-in or, for online visits, to test your video connection.
Yes. We offer virtual evaluations by secure video for adults located in Florida. The process, the provider, and the paperwork are the same as an in-person visit.
You can book with us directly. If you have records from earlier providers, we can request them with your consent.
With insurance, your cost depends on your plan, and we verify coverage before your visit. Self-pay is $250 for the initial evaluation and $150 for follow-ups.
The full evaluation is not free, but we offer a free 15-minute consultation with the provider before you book. If you need low-cost care, community mental health centers and the 211 helpline can help.
Not necessarily. Medication is one possible part of a treatment plan, and it depends on your symptoms, history, and preferences. Your provider will talk through the options with you first.
Sometimes your provider can share an impression at the first visit, and sometimes more information or another visit is needed. ADHD overlaps with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, so we take care to get it right.
Both can evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions, and both can prescribe medication where permitted. Dr. Shrestha is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing practice.
No. MindBrook provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management exclusively for adults 18 and older. For a child or teen, a pediatrician or a child and adolescent psychiatrist is the right place to start.
Yes. Your information is protected under HIPAA, and we share records only with your consent or as the law requires.
Call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. MindBrook offers routine outpatient care and cannot provide emergency services.
Book Your Psychiatric Evaluation in Tampa or Online
You do not have to figure this out alone. Start with a free 15-minute consultation, or book your evaluation directly.
MindBrook Psychiatry, University Lakes Professional Park, 14505 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33613. Monday to Thursday 9–6, Friday 9–5, Saturday 10–1. Closed Sunday.
In a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER. For free, confidential 24/7 support, call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741.