FAQs
Q: What services do you provide? 
Dr. Sim provides psychiatric evaluations and psychotherapy for adults. Dr. Sim utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and/or medications to empower her patients to make the changes to improve their lives. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Q: What are the fees? 
                                                
Initial Consultation/Evaluation (60-75 minutes) $300
Extended Medication/Psychotherapy Follow-up Appointment (45-60 minutes) $210
Brief Medication Follow-up Appointment (20-30 minutes) $145 
                                                                                                                     
Professional Services are given and charged to the patient. Payment is due at the time of service. ACH payments, cash, Zelle payment, and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Discover) are accepted. 
                                                                                                                        
Q: Does Dr. Sim accept insurance, medicare, or medicaid?  
Dr. Sim DOES NOT accept insurance, medicare, or medicaid which allows her to ensure confidentiality and provide care that is patient centered. Your treatment plan will be based upon the best interests of the patient, rather than factors such as type of diagnosis or limitations on time and number of appointments placed by third parties.  She is out-of-network for insurance.   However, if you do have insurance, Dr. Sim will provide a receipt so that you may file the claim with your insurance. You would need to check with your insurance to see if you have any out-of-network benefits.  

Q: How do I schedule an appointment?
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call the office at 832-541-0609 during regular business hours.  A brief telephone screening will follow to determine if we are "a good fit".  If we both agree to proceed, we will schedule our first appointment.  Please note Dr. Sim only sees patients age 18 and over and requires that patients call for their own appointment. 
                                                                                                  
Q: What can I expect from the first appointment?
Dr. Sim will meet with you to discuss your current situation and conduct  a comprehensive evaluation where a broad array of topics will be covered including past psychiatric treatments, medical history, current medications, family history, substance abuse history and developmental history.  This is because many factors (genetics and biology, personality, and life experiences) interact to lead to the current presentation.  At the end of the intial evaluation, Dr. Sim will present her assessment and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include medications and/or therapy.
                                                                                                                     
Q: How often do I need to come back for follow-up appointments?   
The scheduling of follow-up appointments is tailored to the individual situation. Generally, patients are seen for follow-up within 2-4 weeks of the initial evaluation to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of treatment. 
                                                                                                                                                                                             
Q: What is psychotherapy?  
Psychotherapy is "talk therapy" intended to gain insight and understanding about yourself, learn how to change behaviors and thoughts that adversely affect your life, explore relationships and experiences, and find better ways to cope and solve problems. Psychotherapy is also known as  counseling. 
                                                                                                                          
Q: What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a specific type of psychotherapy where you learn to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, more rational ones. It is based on the idea that your own thoughts, and not other people or the situation, determine how you behave and feel. Even if an unwanted situation doesn't change, you can change the way you think and behave in a more healthy and  useful way. CBT focuses on your current problem, rather than addressing underlying or past issues or conflicts. 
                                                                                                                      
Q: What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on increasing your awareness of unconscious thoughts and behaviors, developing new insights into your motivations, and resolving conflicts to live a happier life. It is based on the theories of psychoanalysis. Therapeutic techniques used in psychodynamic therapy include exploring your past, confronting your beliefs and actions, offering support, and interpreting your thoughts and behavior. This process allows you to become aware of and understand the link between your feelings, thoughts, symptoms/behavior, meanings, and motivations. With that new understanding, you can modify unwanted behavior or thoughts and make changes in your life.