Psychiatrists in 78721

Photo of Matthew Maa, APRN, PMHNPBC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Matthew Maa
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, APRN, PMHNPBC
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78721  (Online Only)
***Telehealth visits available*** I am a board certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner that has been practicing in the Austin area since 2013 after graduating with a Master's of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. I have been working with both children and adults in an outpatient setting treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, and behavioral concerns, considering the impact of social, physical, and environmental factors, and encourage client input and preferences in treatment planning.
***Telehealth visits available*** I am a board certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner that has been practicing in the Austin area since 2013 after graduating with a Master's of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. I have been working with both children and adults in an outpatient setting treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, and behavioral concerns, considering the impact of social, physical, and environmental factors, and encourage client input and preferences in treatment planning.
(833) 495-0321 View (833) 495-0321
Photo of Dr. Sandra Dunkin, MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. Sandra Dunkin
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Austin, TX 78721
Welcome to BrainWell, where your mental health journey is met with compassion and carefully tailored solutions. I'm Dr. Sandra Dunkin, and I specialize in providing personalized psychiatric care to individuals in Bastrop and its surrounding communities. I understand that everyone's path to wellness is unique, shaped by their individual story, family history, genetics, lifestyle, and goals. That's why I believe in a personalized approach, where all these factors are taken into consideration to create a treatment plan that's uniquely yours.
Welcome to BrainWell, where your mental health journey is met with compassion and carefully tailored solutions. I'm Dr. Sandra Dunkin, and I specialize in providing personalized psychiatric care to individuals in Bastrop and its surrounding communities. I understand that everyone's path to wellness is unique, shaped by their individual story, family history, genetics, lifestyle, and goals. That's why I believe in a personalized approach, where all these factors are taken into consideration to create a treatment plan that's uniquely yours.
(737) 206-8671 View (737) 206-8671

See more therapy options for 78721

How does your Psychiatrist compare?

Number of Psychiatrists in 78721

< 10

Psychiatrists in 78721 who prioritize treating:

100% Relationship Issues
100% Anxiety
100% Eating Disorders
100% Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
100% Trauma and PTSD
100% Autism
100% Bipolar Disorder

Average years in practice

8 Years

Top 3 insurances accepted

100% BlueCross and BlueShield
100% Cigna and Evernorth
100% Optum

How Psychiatrists in 78721 see their clients

50% In Person and Online
50% Online Only

Gender breakdown

50% Female
50% Male
FAQs - About Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurses

How can I find a psychiatrist in 78721?

The Psychology Today Directory enables you to search specifically for psychiatrists, using the drop down provider menu in the navigation bar, by city or zip code, or by the name of the psychiatrist. Search results provide detailed profiles of professionals, including their treatment approach and areas of expertise. In addition, listings provide important information about each psychiatrist’s credentials, fees, payment options, and insurance affiliations. Directory users can select psychiatrists who meet an array of personally-desired criteria, such as familiarity with a specific community or condition.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Psychiatrists are medical specialists who focus on understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the brain and disorders of the mind and behavior. As physicians, psychiatrists are trained to recognize the often-subtle biological causes of mental disorders and to monitor the effects of mental disturbances on physical conditions, such as heart disease. Psychologists are especially attuned to the influence of early experience on development and behavior, emotional and cognitive processes, the nature of personality, and social functioning. They are also trained to deploy an array of psychological tests—IQ tests, personality tests, behavioral assessments—to gauge a person’s functioning.

What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

A psychiatric nurse practitioner, also known as a mental health nurse practitioner, is a registered nurse who completes advanced training in psychiatric care, earning either a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric nursing, and in the U.S., passes a national certification exam. Like psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. In some locales, psychiatric nurse practitioners can offer the full range of psychiatric care, including prescribing and managing medication. In other places, they must work in collaboration with a physician.

Is everyone in the Psychology Today Therapy Directory a licensed psychiatrist?

The Psychology Today directory lists providers who offer legitimate mental health services to the public, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors. All psychiatrists listed in the directory have a valid license issued by the state(s) in which they practice and are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Providers whose license or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Some individuals or organizations provide services for which their state or country does not offer licenses, such as pastoral counseling. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.

Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication?

Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who are trained to recognize the many ways body processes affect the functioning of the brain and mind. As physicians, they can prescribe medication. Patients who are prescribed medications will typically need to continue to see a psychiatrist so that the effects of the medication can be monitored. For many psychiatric conditions, including common disorders such as anxiety and depression, the preferred treatment is combination therapy—medication accompanied by psychotherapy.

Do psychiatrists offer therapy?

Psychiatrists are generally trained in a number of treatment modalities, including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and, increasingly, somatic therapies. Typically, psychiatrists make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment based on chemical or biological factors, using lab tests, brain scans and physical and psychological evaluations. While psychotherapy may be used in the first session to aid in diagnosis, it is not typically utilized in subsequent visits. In fact, after the introductory session, most sessions with a psychiatrist may only be 15-20 minutes in length and are largely focused on medication management. Many psychiatrists who do not offer psychotherapy work collaboratively with psychologists and other mental health clinicians and can refer clients seeking talk therapy to those providers.

How do I know if I need a psychiatrist or a therapist?

It is not always easy to know which type of mental health practitioner to choose. Many people are unaware of the root of their mental or behavioral problem. One way many people learn which type of care is best for them is by seeing their primary care provider first. Depending on the nature and severity of the symptoms, the physician may review their medical history or perform medical tests to determine whether biological factors are involved before making a referral. It is not necessary for a person to know precisely what type of care they need in order to seek help. Many psychiatrists and psychologists refer clients to each other depending on client needs.

Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?

A referral to a psychiatrist is often not required. However, seeing your primary care physician first can be helpful and actually prove to be a shortcut to getting what you need. Your PCP may have a clear idea whether psychiatric help is needed and/or which kind of mental health care would be most beneficial and refer you to the right type of practitioner. For that reason alone, some psychiatrists require a referral. Further, many insurance plans require a referral from a PCP if they cover all of part of the cost of seeing a specialist; if, however, you are paying out of pocket, you may not need a referral. In any case, a referral may speed the process of securing an appointment with a psychiatrist, especially in areas where there is a shortage of mental health specialists and new patients face long waits for appointments.