New Patients

We accept for evaluation and treatment:

• Children and adolescents from 4 to 18
• Adults up to 50 years of age

We currently provide billing services for the following insurance plans:

• Aetna
• ComPsych
• Value Options (out of network)

If you have a different insurance company than those above, and you have out of network benefits, your insurance company may pay part of Dr. Hartt's private fee. Please call our office for more information on out of network benefits. If you do not have insurance, Dr. Hartt's private rates are $280 for your initial visit, $135-$155 for most follow up appointments and $155-$200 for some high complexity follow up visits. To schedule an appointment, call our office during regular business hours at 210-495-4085.

Before you come

Prior to your first visit we will ask you to complete a questionnaire that covers the topics we will discuss when you come. Having that information at hand will allow us to determine the most important areas and focus our attention on them. It will also give you an opportunity to retrieve some data that are important, but might have being forgotten (e.g., names of medications used in the past).

First time visit (children)

A psychiatric evaluation includes interviewing the patient and parents, and an assessment of the mental status of the patient. Dr. Hartt may interview you and your child together and/or separately. Topics to be discussed include: the child's development, education, relationship with peers, siblings, family members and other adults, physical health, parenting style, family history of psychiatric illnesses, etc.

No laboratory tests, imaging or other studies exist to diagnose the vast majority of psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc. Recent research has revealed functional and morphological changes in the brain that correlate with these disorders. However, science hasn't yet developed methods based on that data for making a diagnosis.

Instead, a mental status assessment is performed by direct observation of the patient's appearance, motor activity, interaction with others, speech, mood, attention, memory, thought process and content. Teachers' observations, results of psychological testing, copies of ARD meetings, medical records from other specialists caring for the child are also important sources of information. If you have any of them, please bring them to your appointment.

Upon completion of the assessment, I will share with you my impression of the presenting problem, possible causes and contributing factors, usual course and prognosis, and outline a treatment plan. I want to hear your opinion and make sure that we are on the same page about what we are working on and what the expectations are. Depending on the complexity of your case, we may either start treatment at the first appointment, or spend additional time devoted to discussion of the treatment options, their benefits and limitations. You don't have to decide right away. If necessary, allow yourself extra time to think about treatment. I will assist you providing my opinion and the information you need, but the final decision is yours.

It is important that both parents attend at least the first appointment. When applicable, the legal papers appointing a Managing Conservator, proving adoption or legal guardianship must be presented.

First time visit (adults)

Your first visit will take about an hour. Psychiatric evaluation includes interviewing the patient and a mental status assessment. Topics to be discussed include:

• Your symptoms, when they started, how often they occur, treatments attempted (if any) and outcome
• Your childhood including your relationship with your parents, siblings and peers, any traumas and losses, and your physical health.
• Your social history including family/marriage, friendships, hobbies and interests, job(s), past and present stressors, use of tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs, and any legal problems if any.
• History of psychiatric illness in blood related family members
• Current and severe past medical problems

Mental status assessment is performed by direct observation of the patient's appearance, motor activity, interaction with others, speech, mood, attention, memory, thought process and content. Results of psychological testing and copies of medical records from other specialists caring for you are also important sources of information. If you have any of them, please bring them to your appointment. In some cases, imaging and functional studies, laboratory tests or consultations with other specialists will be necessary to aid in assessment and treatment plan development. However, no laboratory tests, imaging, or other studies exist to diagnose the vast majority of psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc. Recent research has revealed functional and morphological changes in the brain that correlate with these disorders, but science hasn't yet developed methods based on that data for making a diagnosis.

Spouses, family members or significant others are welcome to attend appointments at the patients discretion.