Frequently Asked Questions

The first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, typically 60–90 minutes. It begins with a parent/guardian session where we gather developmental history, school reports, and family context. Then Dr. P meets with your child in a safe, age-appropriate setting. At the end, we come back together to discuss impressions and next steps. You will never leave the first appointment without a clear plan.

For the initial evaluation, yes — a parent/guardian session is a built-in part of every child appointment. For younger children, a caregiver may remain present throughout. For adolescents, Dr. P often spends a portion of the session privately with your teen (with your consent) so they can speak freely. We always reconnect with you before the visit ends.

Many parents worry about stigma. We suggest keeping it simple and positive: “We’re going to see a doctor who helps kids with their feelings and focus — like a trainer for the brain.” Emphasize that it is not a punishment and that lots of kids see Dr. P. We are happy to give you talking points tailored to your child’s age during your free consultation call.

Yes. With your written consent, Dr. P can communicate with teachers, school counselors, IEP teams, therapists, and pediatricians. Coordinated care leads to better outcomes, especially for ADHD and learning-related concerns. We can provide letters for school accommodations and 504/IEP support documentation.

No. Many families come to us because they sense something is off but are not sure what. You do not need a referral, a prior diagnosis, or a specific concern — a feeling that your child is struggling is enough reason to reach out. Our evaluation process is designed to figure out what is going on together.

Yes — this is one of our most common patient groups. The transition into college or early adulthood can bring a rush of anxiety, identity questions, relationship challenges, and the weight of new independence. These are often called phase-of-life challenges, and they are very real, very treatable, and nothing to push through alone.

Dr. P works with young adults navigating their first year away from home, academic pressure, social anxiety, and the “who am I?” questions that come with this stage of life. You don’t need a crisis to reach out — if it feels heavy, that’s enough.

This is incredibly common. Young adults often resist because they fear stigma, don’t want to worry their parents, or feel like they “should” be able to handle it themselves. A few things that tend to help:

• Frame it as a check-in, not a crisis — “just one conversation, no commitment.”
• Let them lead — offer the free 15-minute consult as their own decision to make.
• Normalize it — Dr. P sees many high-achieving students who are simply overwhelmed.

We are happy to speak with parents first if it helps. Book a free consult and we can talk through how to approach it.

WellMinds MD is the private psychiatry practice of Dr. Nabilla Porbandarwalla, MD, a double board-certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist. We offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, psychotherapy integration, and neuropsychiatric testing for patients of all ages in the Greater Seattle area.

Dr. P sees patients from childhood through adulthood — including children (with appropriate clinical assessment), adolescents, and adults of all ages. She holds dual board certification in both Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and General Adult Psychiatry.

Yes. We offer both in-person and telehealth (video) appointments. Telehealth is available to patients in Washington, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Montana, Vermont, and Hawaii. In-person visits are available at our Bellevue, WA and San Francisco, CA offices. Neuropsychiatric testing options are also available remotely for qualifying assessments.

We welcome new patients. We will respond to your inquiry within 1 business day to discuss your needs and next steps. Please call us at (425) 499-9975 or use the contact form on this website to get started.

At WellMinds MD, we believe in a collaborative and holistic approach. You are the expert on your own mind - we help decode your experiences while managing your neurological makeup. We begin by understanding your unique life context: your experiences, challenges, and aspirations. We then combine that insight with evidence-based treatments, including medication management and integrative approaches, to create a tailored plan for your well-being.

While we strive to select the most effective treatment, not every patient responds to the initial approach. We may try multiple strategies or, if needed, refer you to services outside our practice to ensure you receive the best possible care.

We fully support integrated care. With your permission, we are glad to work alongside your current therapist, primary care doctor, or other healthcare providers. This collaborative approach allows us to create a cohesive and effective treatment plan tailored to your needs - enhancing your overall mental health and well-being at every step of your journey.

Both are committed to mental health care, but their training and roles differ. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who completed medical school plus a four-year residency (often with additional specialized training). This medical background allows them to prescribe medications and provide psychotherapy - a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Psychologists hold advanced degrees in psychology and focus primarily on therapeutic services. The key distinction: psychiatrists can combine medication with therapy, while psychologists concentrate on talk therapy and behavior modification.

Your privacy is our highest priority. We strictly comply with all HIPAA regulations, and everything you share is kept in strict confidence. We cannot disclose any information about you - including the fact that you are in treatment - without your explicit permission.

Exceptions to confidentiality exist only under Washington State law (RCW 70.02.050), including: reasonable cause to believe a minor or vulnerable adult has suffered abuse or neglect; credible threat of physical harm to another person; serious risk of suicide or self-injury; a court order requiring release of records; or referral to a collection agency for unpaid bills.

If you choose to use out-of-network insurance benefits, billing information will include the type of service and diagnosis codes. All details are handled with the utmost care. Your mental health and safety are paramount.

Under Washington State law, mental health and substance use treatment for adolescents aged 13 and older is personal and confidential - even from parents and caregivers - except in cases of danger to self or others, abuse/neglect, or medical emergencies. We encourage families to maintain open communication about mental health and wellness.

Per Chapter 71.34 RCW, parents of adolescents aged 13-18 may request assessment and treatment (up to 12 sessions in a 3-month period) without the adolescent's consent, provided the providers agree the approach is appropriate. If you have questions about this, please speak with us directly.

To ensure a smooth and legally compliant treatment process, we require the following when parents are divorced:

• Legal custody agreement - to understand each parent's decision-making authority for medical care
• Consent forms signed by both parents (for shared custody situations)
• Relevant court orders that specify which parent has medical decision-making authority
• Updated contact information for both parents

These documents help us deliver the best care for your child while honoring the legal frameworks in place. Please contact us with any questions.

You can contact us by phone at (425) 499-9975 or use the contact form on our website. We will typically respond within one business day to schedule your intake evaluation.

All new patients must complete the intake package at least 24 hours before their initial evaluation. Failure to complete the intake package may result in appointment cancellation and a $200 fee. You will receive the intake forms via our patient portal after scheduling.

Cancellations must be made at least 1 full business day in advance (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). For example, if your appointment is on a Monday, please cancel by the same time on the preceding Friday. Late cancellations and missed appointments incur a $200 cancellation fee. Repeated no-shows may result in discontinuation of care to ensure equitable access for all patients.

Please contact us to discuss scheduling options. Availability varies, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. Telehealth appointments offer additional scheduling flexibility.

To ensure a comprehensive and efficient initial evaluation, please:

• Complete the New Patient Intake Form and all required forms through our secure patient portal at least 24 hours before your appointment
• Bring a list of your current medications
• Prepare a detailed account of your past psychiatric history
• Bring copies of past medical and psychiatric records, including lab tests, genetic testing, and any prior neuropsychological testing reports
• Reflect on your treatment goals and any specific concerns you want to address

If divorced parents are seeking care for their child, additional documentation is required - see the General section above for details.

If you need an emergency or same-day appointment, contact us through the patient portal to check availability - this is the fastest way to secure a slot.

If you cannot reach us and need immediate support, please contact the WA King County Crisis Line at 360-586-2800, or call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7). For emergencies requiring urgent intervention, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

We accept Aetna, Regence, and Premera through Headway, our billing partner. We are not technically in-network with these plans, but we can process your claims and verify coverage. For other insurance plans, superbills are provided upon request. Contact us at (425) 499-9975 to verify your specific coverage.

Yes. We accept payment by FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) cards as well as standard credit and debit cards. Payment is due at the time of service.

Administrative work exceeding 10 minutes outside of appointment time — including phone calls, forms, letters, medical record requests, and prior authorizations — is billed at $400/hour in 15-minute increments. We will always provide a time estimate and seek your approval before performing additional services that incur charges.

Yes. Our practice operates on a self-pay basis and does not bill insurance directly. However, you may be able to use your health insurance's out-of-network benefits for reimbursement. Payment is due at the time of your appointment via credit or debit card. Upon request, we provide superbills (itemized healthcare receipts) for submission to your insurance company. We recommend contacting your insurer to confirm your out-of-network mental health benefits.

Common billing codes: new visits are typically coded as 99204/05 + 90833; follow-up visits as 99214 + 90833.

Note: The fees paid for our services may qualify as a medical expense deduction on your tax return. Consult your tax advisor for details.

In accordance with the No Surprises Act, we provide a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) to all uninsured or self-pay patients. A GFE includes detailed information about the type of service, estimated costs, and any additional fees - helping you understand your financial obligations before receiving care. Please contact us to request your GFE.

We treat a broad range of mental and physical health concerns, including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, psychosis, sleep disorders, and more. Dr. P's functional and integrative approach can be applied to a wide range of conditions across all age groups.

Yes, when clinically appropriate. We review complete prescription histories for all patients as required by the DEA and state regulations. Refills for controlled substances always require an appointment. If a controlled substance is lost, one replacement refill may be provided; subsequent losses will not be refilled.

Non-controlled medications may be refilled between appointments in certain circumstances. Controlled substances always require an appointment for refill. Please contact us well before running out of medication to avoid gaps in treatment.

Dr. P integrates psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) into her treatment approach. Therapy is incorporated alongside medication management as part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.

At WellMinds MD, we create your treatment plan together through a highly collaborative process. Our personalized, evidence-based approach ensures your plan is tailored to your symptoms, medical history, and personal goals. Whether you are an adolescent, teen, or adult, we deliver individualized care and regularly review your progress, making adjustments as needed to help you achieve optimal mental health and well-being.