Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? You may find the answers below.Quick Search
New Patients
1. Complete our new patient intake: https://patientportal.advancedmd.com/138295/onlineintake/disclaimer
2. Complete all of the new patient forms. The new patient forms will be sent to you after one of our team members has reviewed and approved your intake form.
3. Schedule an appointment.
You are serious about taking getting well and living an optimal lifestyle. You will make every effort to take our recommendations knowing we have your best interest in mind. Paradise Behavioral Health offers a holistic approach to wellness, not just medications.
Our providers schedule changes from time to time, for the most up-to-date appointment availability call our office at (941) 347-8341. Before we schedule you with a provider you must complete all the new patient forms first. After all the forms are properly completed we will schedule your first appointment. Forms can be done electronically or in our office and can be easily completed in 20-30mins.
Watch this video for step by step instructions.
Log into your Patient Portal and click on the “Forms” button at the top of the page.
Text or call our office at 941-347-8341.
Paradise has a strict no show policy. You must cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment or you will be charged a $40 no show fee that must be paid before you can schedule your next appointment.
Please allow up to 48 hours for your provider to respond to your message.
Log into your Patient Portal. Click on the “Messages” button in the menu at the top of the page. On the Messages page, click the “Ask A Question” button. In the “Subject” dropdown, select “Ask Physician/Provider Directly”. In the “Physician” dropdown, select your providers name. Type your message. Click “Send Message”.
The fastest way to request a refill is by logging into your Patient Portal and clicking on the “Prescriptions” button at the top of the page.
Please note that Paradise does not process emergency refills. Refills are only processed Monday-Wednesday. Refills must be requested at least 1 week before you run out of medications. Please check when your prescription expires and plan accordingly. Call your pharmacy to check on the status of your prescription before making any refill requests to our office.
Yes. If a controlled medication is being prescribed, a urine drug screen needs to be completed prior to the refill.
Yes.
If you are undergoing procedures like cosmetic or bariatric surgeries, your surgeon may request a psychological evaluation before surgery to help assess your readiness for surgery.
Patient Portal
Watch this video for step by step instructions.
Watch this video for step by step instructions.
Watch this video for step by step instructions.
Watch this video for step by step instructions.
Medication
3 business days
Your provider needs to understand your situation and reason for wanting to change medication to ensure the right change is being made. You must schedule an appointment with your provider to discuss any changes.
Brain Well Program
We do not accept insurance for the Brain Well program. All initial evaluations and follow up appointments are self-pay. You can use your insurance for most of the labs. For you to use your insurance for labs, you must first have a psych evaluation before any lab orders can be created. This is a separate appointment from your Brain Well evaluation.
We do not offer any payment plan. If you are a veteran or active military there is help through the Warriors Angel Foundation. You must apply at their website: https://warriorangelsfoundation.org
The enrollment fee into the Brain Well program is $2500 for self-pay and $1000 if you use your insurance. The self-pay rate includes the labs for your hormone panel, depression panel, UDS and comprehensive evaluation only.
Genetic testing is not included in the enrollment fee and can be an additional fee depending on your insurance. *If you have Medicare or Tricare genetic testing is free. You will not pay anything out of pocket.
The cost for vitamins, supplements, and medication can vary based on your customized treatment plan. It can be anywhere from $150-$400 per month. This is only an estimate and going through the lab tests and creating your treatment plan will determine the actual costs.
The commitment is for 12 months. You will need your labs done and a follow up appointment with your provider every 3 months. After the 12 months is complete, we recommend doing an annual checkup of all your hormone levels.
The best place to learn about patients who have gone through the Brain Well program and Dr. Mark Gordon’s protocol is to watch the movie Quiet Explosions. This can be found on YouTube for only $2.99: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwTXAyNxTIk
You need to be fully committed to the treatment plan in order to become successful. This requires you to take your vitamins, supplements, and medication every single day. Changing your diet to reduce inflammation and getting regular exercise is needed. The items in your treatment plan alone will help but to get the full benefits of the program will require some lifestyle changes.
Click here to find a list of YouTube videos, podcasts, and articles that showcasing Dr. Mark Gordon and the work he has done.
TMS Program
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven’t been effective.
Depression is a treatable condition, but for some people, standard treatments aren’t effective and TMS can be a great alternative.
Our treatment protocol calls for 36 sessions. Sessions should be completed daily, five times a week, and completed within 6-8 weeks.
The length of each treatment session varies per person, typically lasting between 20-45 mins.
Your first consult will be with our TMS coordinator to learn more about TMS and how it can help you. During this consult, you will have all your questions answered.
Before treatment begins, your doctor will identify the best placement for the electromagnetic coil near your forehead and the effective level of magnetic energy for you.
The electromagnet delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of your brain that controls mood.
Every patient responds differently to TMS treatments. Typically patients will notice change around week 3-4. A small percentage will notice results in the first week.
Everyone varies with their treatment plan. We monitor your results and your doctor will decide if another round of treatment will be beneficial.
Personal check-in: Are you starting to feel like your old self again? Do you find yourself wanting to engage in your hobbies and socialize?
Medical check-in: Every week we will ask you to complete a form called the PHQ9, a short questionnaire used to monitor your progress.
A big rain drop.
While TMS is considered safe and well-tolerated, some patients report experiencing headaches. If you experience any side effects, let us know right away as your doctor can adjust the level of stimulation to alleviate any discomfort.
Billing
Yes. Log into your patient portal and click the Bills button.
Click here for a list of accepted insurances.
Yes. Contact our office for our current rates.
Log into your patient portal and click the Messages button.
On the next page, click on the Ask A Question button.
If you select Billing & Payments in the Subject dropdown, your message will be sent to our billing department.
There are a wide variety of factors to consider. Our team first will first need to determine if you need to see a psychiatrist, a med manager, or a therapist.
If you have health insurance, the amount will vary depending on your individual plan coverage.
If you do not have health insurance, please contact our office for current self pay rates.
Depression Treatment
Treating your depression depends on a number of factors. The most important part depends on you. Showing up to all your scheduled appointments, being 100% honest with your provider, and following their plans and recommendations. We want you to get well but we need you to do your part.
Absolutely! We offer telemedicine through the HIPAA compliant Zoom app.
Our providers schedule changes from time to time, for the most up-to-date appointment availability call our office at (941) 347-8341. Before we schedule you with a provider you must complete all the new patient forms first. After all the forms are properly completed we will schedule your first appointment. Forms can be done electronically or in our office and can be easily completed in 20-30mins.
Please text or call our office at (941) 347-8341 to reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Failure to do so will result in a $40 no show fee that must be paid before your next appointment.
Genetic testing assesses your genes to help your provider make smarter, more personalized treatment decisions. Each person is unique and we all respond to medication differently. We want to make sure we find the best treatment options for you. Speak to your provider to learn more about genetic testing.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a safe and secure way of connecting with your provider online. Just like in-person care, your telemedicine appointments, messages, and information are protected by privacy rules.
Please make sure that you properly enable your audio on your device by clicking on “Call Using Internet Audio” when joining the call. Also, make sure that the volume on your device is turned up/on and not on mute.
If you are unable to set up Zoom on your personal device, you can come into our office to do your telemedicine appointment. We will not provide technical support over the phone, we can only help you set up Zoom by coming into our office.
Most insurances will cover a telemedicine visit but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider to confirm your individual coverage.
If you have a copay or need to pay for any services, our office will call you on the day of your scheduled appointment. If you have not received a call from us 30 minutes before your appointment please call our office at (941) 347-8341 and press option 3. We cannot start your telemedicine call until your copay has been paid.
One of our office staff will call you with a time estimate of when your provider will be in the telemedicine call.
As soon as your telemedicine call is complete, one of our office staff will call you to schedule your next appointment.
There are no additional costs or fees to use telemedicine. The cost of your telemedicine appointment is the same as any normal office visit. The Zoom app is free to download and use.
You must call our office at (941) 347-8341 to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Please call us at least 24 hours in advanced or you will be charged a $40 no show fee.
Prescriptions and refills are done the same way as normal office visits. We will send your prescription to your pharmacy.
You must schedule an appointment with our office to submit a drug test at least 7 days before your appointment. We are open for drug tests Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm.
We have had problems with patients receiving telemedicine and patient portal emails sent to their Hotmail and Yahoo account. We recommend using another email address such as Gmail for your patient portal account. Please call our office at (941) 347-8341 and we can update your email address for you.
Psychiatric Evaluation
We prefer the initial visit to be in-office if possible, allowing you to meet with your provider face to face.
We can also offer a telemedicine appointment through the HIPAA compliant Zoom app if you are not able to come into our office in Punta Gorda.
The most effective treatments for PTSD typically include a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Different people may respond better to different types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or exposure therapy. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms. It’s important to work with a qualified mental health professional to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Recovery from PTSD is a gradual process that can take several months to several years, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the individual’s response to treatment. It’s important to focus on progress rather than a specific timeline and to be patient and persistent in working towards recovery.
PTSD is a chronic condition, which means that symptoms can persist even with treatment. However, with effective treatment and ongoing management, symptoms can be reduced and quality of life can be improved.
PTSD symptoms can recur after treatment, especially during times of stress or exposure to triggers. It’s important to continue with maintenance therapy and self-care strategies to prevent symptom recurrence.
There are several alternative treatments that have shown positive results in treating PTSD, including HRT (hormone replacement therapy), nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and meditation & mindfulness activites. While these treatments may not be effective for everyone, they can be a helpful addition to a comprehensive treatment plan. Please ask our staff about the Brain Well program for treating PTSD.
This will vary depending on your individual needs treatment plan.
Typically, you will see your psychiatrist/med manager once a month and your therapist once a week, or as recommended.
The most effective treatment plans for PTSD do include you seeing a psychiatrist and therapist. A psychiatrist or med manager will be the one to decide the best treatment plan for you. A therapist provides talk therapy. They are there to listen and help you find ways to cope.
If you are in immediate dangeror someone has been hurt, call 9-1-1.
Paradise Behavioral Health is an outpatient mental health office. We do not provide emergency or crisis services.
If you or someone you know is thinkingabout suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at
1-800-273-8255.