Frequently Asked Questions

Great question! We work together closely with therapists and psychologists, but there are differences in training and treatments. Psychiatrists are doctors that have completed medical school, and then go on to continue training in residencies and fellowships, which can be an additional 4+ years. Psychiatrists prescribe medications ,when indicated, along with providing some psychotherapy. A common misconception is that psychiatrists only treat severe mental illness. We treat anyone whose life or ability to function has been altered due to a mental disorder.

After residency and/or fellowship, a physician can obtain a medical license to practice medicine. This sets the minimum competency which is required to practice medicine. Board Certification involves a rigorous process of written and oral testing, along with peer evaluation. It is not required to practice medicine. Board certified physicians have voluntarily met additional standards beyond basic licensing, and once obtained, involves a career long learning and assessment process . Dr. Diana T. Samuel is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, along with Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Zita S. Samuel is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. You can go online to see if your doctor is board certified at www.abms.org.

Certainly! However most Primary care doctors and pediatricians refer their patients to us for assistance. We have completed additional training and gained experience in psychiatry which helps us help you. We do like to work closely with your doctor and can update them on your progress and medications. We encourage all patients to go their doctor annually for a routine visit. We feel that the environment in our private office allows children and adults to feel comfortable talking about their problems, and we feel it is a good environment to come up with solutions!

Like many psychiatrists, we have made the decision to not accept insurance. We feel there are conflicts between the goals of the insurance companies and the needs of our clients. We want to spend as much time as we can with the patient, without the insurance companies telling us how much time is appropriate. We have tried to make our treatment prices as comparable and affordable so that treatment is obtainable to all that need it. We do accept checks, Visa and Mastercard.

Dr. Diana Samuel - Children, Adolescents and Young Adults Dr. Zita Samuel - Adults

Initial Assessments typically lasts between 60-90 minutes. During this evaluation we obtain a thorough history, assess your current symptoms, and listen to your goals. All of these help to develop a treatment plan. We take the time to discuss treatment options and answer any questions.

Follow up visits are typically 20 minutes. On these visits, we will evaluate your progress towards your treatment goals by assessing your symptoms, response to medication, and improvements in areas of personal functioning (i.e. school, work, social and family life).

Longer sessions, if needed, can be discussed with your doctor.

We have made our treatment prices as comparable and affordable so that treatment is obtainable to all that need it. Please call our clinic for rates and payment options at (512) 372-4554.

We accept checks, Visa and Mastercard.

The initial paperwork can be found under the “Forms” tab. You can print them out and complete them prior to your visit. If you are unable to do this, you can come 15-20 minutes early to complete the paperwork in our office. Coming early to complete paperwork ensures that we get started on time. For minors, a parent or legal guardian (with appropriate paperwork showing custody) will be required on the first visit. Dr. Diana Samuel likes to see a recent picture of the family if that is possible.

We know how long you have waited and how important that first visit is. On the initial evaluation, we allot enough time to discuss our impression and treatment plan, which usually includes medications. At that time, we try to answer as many questions as possible regarding reasons for choosing a medication along with medication side effects. There may be a few cases where medication may not be warranted or indicated on the first visit, or times where a need for medication may require further investigation.

Our office is located at the corner of Angus and WindRiver Road, in the orange two story building. When you enter through the WindRiver entrance, park in the area designated “Visitor Parking” in front of the Black Satellite Dish. Enter the door to your right. Take the stairs or elevator to the second floor, and take the hallway to your left. We are the second door on the right.