Services & FAQ

A reproductive or perinatal psychiatrist is a physician with psychiatric expertise in mental health around conception, fertility treatment, pregnancy, postpartum life, breastfeeding, and other reproductive stages. This specialty considers both psychiatric needs and the medical context of reproductive care.

The practice primarily serves women and mothers seeking reproductive or perinatal psychiatric care and welcomes anyone for whom this care is clinically appropriate. Appointments are available by telehealth across Texas.

No. You may know that you feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, on edge, unlike yourself, or uncertain about medication without knowing the name of the problem. A comprehensive evaluation can help clarify what you are experiencing and what options are available.

No. Mental health symptoms can emerge during any pregnancy or postpartum period, even when earlier pregnancies went smoothly. Asking for help is not a failure; it is a meaningful step toward caring for yourself and your family.

No. Medication decisions during pregnancy are individualized. Dr. Stephens considers the current evidence, the potential risks and benefits of medication, the effects of untreated psychiatric illness, your history, and what matters most to you. Do not stop a prescribed psychiatric medication without speaking with the clinician who manages it.

Yes. You may schedule a one-time reproductive psychiatry consultation and continue care with your established clinician. Dr. Stephens will provide clinical impressions and treatment recommendations for your clinician to implement and defer treatment initiation to your established clinician.

Yes. Dr. Stephens can provide time-limited perinatal psychiatric care. The timing is individualized based on your clinical presentation, goals, reproductive stage, and treatment plan and progress. Once stabilized or appropriate, Dr. Stephens can work to coordinate a return to your psychiatrist or PCP of choice.

Yes. When clinically appropriate, patients may transfer ongoing outpatient psychiatric care to Dr. Stephens. This will typically include medication management, psychotherapy, and care coordination.

A new evaluation lasts 60–90 minutes. Here, Dr. Stephens will review your psychiatric and medical history. You will discuss symptoms and goals, answer questions, and develop an individualized plan. Relevant records may be requested before the appointment.

Visit frequency is individualized. When treatment is changing, follow-ups are often scheduled every 3–4 weeks. Once stable, visits may occur every 2–4 months. In general, patients may been for a new evaluation and have 2-5 follow ups. Some patients complete a time one consultation, while others may continue longer-term care.

Yes. Brief psychotherapy is incorporated into psychiatric visits when helpful. Patients may also begin weekly or every-other-week psychotherapy using supportive, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches.

Yes. The practice can manage ADHD during pregnancy or postpartum for patients with an existing, documented diagnosis. Prior diagnostic records or testing are required before Dr. Stephens can manage ADHD medication(s). The practice offers clinical assessment for ADHD during the new patient evaluation. We do not offer new ADHD evaluations for primary or general ADHD unrelated to perinatal mental health. If you are unsure whether the practice is appropriate for your needs, schedule a complimentary discovery call or contact the office.

The 15-minute discovery call is a brief conversation with Dr. Stephens to understand your needs, explain services, and determine whether the practice may be a good fit. It is not a psychiatric evaluation and does not include diagnosis, treatment, or medication recommendations.

All appointments are conducted through a secure telehealth platform. The practice is based in Dallas and serves patients across Texas.

No. The practice is out-of-network with all insurance plans and does not submit claims. As a private pay practice, a superbill can be provided upon request that you may submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. A superbill is a document generated at the end of your visit that you can provide to your insurance company. Often times this may give you credit for your out-of-network deductible, go towards credit for your behavioral health plan, or can be used for reimbursement on your HSA or FSA plans.

Yes. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

A 60–90-minute new evaluation is $450. A 30-minute follow-up is $225. A 45–50-minute psychotherapy session is $250. The 15-minute discovery call is free.

Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours, or one business day, before the appointment. Late cancellations and missed appointments are charged the full session fee.

The practice does not provide emergency or higher-level psychiatric care, court-ordered or forensic evaluations, treatment for complex substance-use disorders, or management of long-acting injectable psychiatric or addiction medications. Active psychosis or severe mania generally requires a higher level of care. If you are unsure whether the practice is appropriate for your needs, schedule a complimentary discovery call or contact the office.

Perinatal Psychiatrist of Dallas is not an emergency service. If you or someone else is experiencing a psychiatric emergency or in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For 24/7 crisis support in the United States, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. For maternal health crisis, contact the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) (call or text).

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/