Psychiatric Care Policies

At Northern Lights Psychiatry, our priority is to provide the highest quality psychiatric care in a respectful, supportive, and professional environment. We understand the importance of confidentiality policies to protect patient information, ensuring every client receives compassionate, evidence-based treatment built on trust, understanding, and collaboration. Additionally, we offer Spravato treatments as part of our commitment to personalized care.

During your initial evaluation, we prioritize understanding your concerns, medical and mental health history, and personal goals while strictly adhering to our confidentiality policies. This comprehensive assessment enables us to develop a thoughtful and individualized treatment approach tailored to your needs. At a follow-up visit, we will review our clinical impressions and discuss treatment options that may include: Medication management, supportive counseling, and referrals for therapy or community-based resources, including options for Spravato treatments. Please note: no medication is prescribed until a full evaluation is completed. We believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential for effective treatment, and the first visit helps ensure that this partnership is a good fit for both you and your provider, while also safeguarding your patient information.

Spravato® (esketamine) treatments are available for individuals experiencing treatment-resistant depression or severe depressive symptoms. Before beginning treatment, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation will be conducted to assess whether Spravato is a safe and suitable option for your care. Throughout this process, we adhere to strict confidentiality policies to protect patient information. Treatment is provided in-office under medical supervision in a calm, supportive environment, with continuous monitoring during each session to ensure your safety and comfort.

Northern Lights Psychiatry provides evaluation and treatment for ADHD, including non-stimulant medication options when clinically appropriate, while upholding our confidentiality policies to protect patient information. However, we do not prescribe stimulant medications of any kind, including amphetamines or methylphenidate-based medications. Our ADHD treatment approach may include: non-stimulant medication options, education and coping strategies, behavioral and lifestyle recommendations, and coordination with therapists or other providers when appropriate. This policy, including our approach to Spravato treatments, reflects our commitment to safe, responsible, and individualized psychiatric care.

At Northern Lights Psychiatry, we take your privacy and confidentiality very seriously, adhering to strict confidentiality policies. All patient information and communications are safeguarded in line with HIPAA regulations and relevant state confidentiality laws. Your information is never shared without your written consent, except in situations where disclosure is legally required. By law, we must report instances involving suspected child abuse or neglect, suspected elder or dependent adult abuse, or a serious risk of harm to self or others. In such cases, we will promptly notify the appropriate authorities to ensure safety and protection, including when discussing our Spravato treatments.

Your health information is safeguarded through multiple layers of security and encryption, in line with our strict confidentiality policies. Northern Lights Psychiatry fully complies with HIPAA Security Rule standards, including the use of secure servers and encrypted communications, as well as password-protected systems and access controls to protect patient information. 

Our team participates in ongoing privacy and cybersecurity training, ensuring that we regularly perform risk assessments, system updates, and encrypted data backups to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of your information. 

All telehealth sessions and electronic communications, including those related to Spravato treatments, are conducted exclusively through HIPAA-compliant, encrypted platforms.

As part of some treatment plans, including Spravato treatments, random urine drug screens may be requested. These screenings are conducted during scheduled appointments and are used to: Promote treatment safety, Monitor adherence when clinically indicated, and Support transparency and mutual trust between patient and provider while upholding confidentiality policies regarding patient information. Our goal is always to create a safe, respectful, and collaborative treatment environment.