FAQ

Yes. We provide comprehensive ADHD evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. For younger patients, we may request teacher input, school records, or IEP/504 plans to ensure a complete assessment.

Not necessarily. While stimulants are effective for many people with ADHD, they are not always the best or safest choice. Your provider will review all treatment options, including non-stimulant medications and behavioral strategies, before recommending a plan.

A Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in mental health. We have advanced training beyond nursing school that allows us to evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions, including prescribing and managing medications when appropriate.

PMHNPs work with people of all ages and focus on creating treatment plans that are personalized to each individual’s needs. Care doesn’t stop with a prescription — we also provide ongoing support, education, and monitoring to help patients feel confident in their treatment.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners can be found in many settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential programs, and private practices. In Massachusetts, PMHNPs are licensed to practice independently. For the first two years after licensure, new PMHNPs collaborate closely with an experienced psychiatric provider (such as another nurse practitioner or psychiatrist) to ensure safe, high-quality care.

No. We use structured interviews, validated screening tools, and clinical judgment. Neuropsychological testing may be recommended in more complex cases.

We do not offer formal diagnostic testing for Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, we can screen for symptoms, treat co-occurring conditions (such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression), and collaborate with specialists for further evaluation if needed.

Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know you and understand what brings you (or your child) to care. During this visit, you will meet with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who will review your past mental health history, current symptoms, and any concerns you’d like to address.

We also set aside time for your questions — whether about diagnosis, treatment options, or how medication may fit into your plan. By the end of the appointment, we will work together to outline treatment goals. If medication is recommended, we’ll discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives, and provide a prescription when appropriate.

Our goal is for you to leave the first visit feeling informed, supported, and part of the decision-making process for your care.

To make the most of your visit, please upload or bring any previous records, evaluations, testing results, or hospital discharge summaries that may help guide your care. Having this information in advance allows us to better understand your history and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There is no single medication that treats autism itself, but medication can help manage related symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, sleep problems, or inattention.

The first appointment is a chance for us to learn about your child and the concerns that brought you to care. During this visit, you and your child will meet with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who will gather information about your child’s psychiatric history, medical background, and current symptoms.

Parents or caregivers play an important role in this process. We encourage you to share your observations, concerns, and goals for treatment. Children are also given the opportunity to share their perspective in an age-appropriate way.

We will set aside time to answer any questions you may have about diagnoses, treatment options, or medication. Together, we will create treatment goals that support your child’s growth and well-being. If medication is recommended, we will review the risks, benefits, and alternatives before prescribing.

Important: If there is a custody agreement in place, please let us know. In cases of split legal custody, both parents/guardians must attend the intake appointment.

Our goal is to ensure that families feel heard, supported, and included in every step of the treatment process.

No. A parent or legal guardian must attend all appointments for patients under 18.

To help us provide the best care possible, please bring the following items to your child’s initial appointment:

• Custody or guardianship paperwork (if applicable) – In cases of split legal custody, both parents/guardians must attend the intake appointment.

• Current medication list – Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.

• Contact information for your child’s therapist, primary care provider, and other specialists.

• School records – Any recent report cards, IEP/504 plans, or evaluations.

• Previous psychiatric or psychological records – If available, bring copies of prior testing, hospital records, or treatment summaries.

• List of concerns or goals – Think about specific challenges you’d like addressed and any progress you hope to see.

We require custody or guardianship paperwork at intake. In cases of split legal custody, both parents/guardians must attend the intake appointment.

Balanced Chemistry has offices in:

• Barre, Massachusetts – 7 Exchange St, Barre, MA 01005

• Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire – 21 Route 21 South, Fitzwilliam, NH

Both offices are by appointment only and do not accept walk-ins.

Yes. With signed consent, we can collaborate with schools to support 504 plans, IEPs, and other educational accommodations.

Yes. We provide telehealth services for patients located in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For legal and licensing reasons, you must be physically located in MA or NH at the time of your telehealth appointment.

• Initial evaluations are scheduled for 60 minutes. This allows time to review your history, discuss current concerns, answer questions, and create a treatment plan.

• Follow-up appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes. These visits are used to monitor progress, adjust treatment if needed, and address any new concerns.

• Some sessions may be shorter or longer depending on clinical needs, but we do our best to ensure each appointment allows enough time for thorough, patient-centered care.

We offer supportive therapy during medication management appointments. For ongoing therapy, we encourage families to work with a dedicated therapist, and we are happy to coordinate care with outside providers.

Yes. At Balanced Chemistry, we believe in a holistic approach to mental health. In addition to medication management, we may recommend:

• Lifestyle changes such as sleep hygiene, nutrition, and exercise routines

• Supplements (when appropriate and safe)

• Stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness or breathing practices

• Functional medicine approaches that consider the connection between physical and mental health

These strategies may be used alone or alongside medication, depending on your needs and preferences.

No. Balanced Chemistry does not provide forensic evaluations or treatment related to ongoing legal cases.

We are in-network with most major insurance providers. Please confirm with your insurance company that psychiatric nurse practitioners are covered under your plan. Self-pay is also available.

Yes. We support patients who wish to safely taper off psychotropic medications. Tapering is done gradually, with close monitoring, to minimize withdrawal effects and ensure stability throughout the process.

Your provider will work with you to decide whether tapering is appropriate, develop a safe schedule, and discuss alternative supports that may help you maintain your mental health during and after the transition.

Yes. GeneSight is a lab test that analyzes how your DNA may affect your body’s response to certain psychiatric medications.

It is not a diagnostic tool — GeneSight does not confirm conditions like ADHD, depression, or anxiety. Instead, it provides additional information that may help guide medication selection.

We use GeneSight testing in combination with your symptoms, history, and clinical presentation to create the most effective treatment plan for you.

Frequency depends on your needs and response to treatment. Early in treatment, you may meet weekly or monthly. Once stable, most patients are seen less often, but all clients must be seen at least once every 3 months.

Please allow 2–3 business days for all refill requests. Requests must be submitted during business hours and will only be sent to the pharmacy listed in your chart.

For safety reasons, we cannot replace lost or stolen prescriptions for controlled substances.

Patients prescribed controlled medications (such as stimulants, benzodiazepines, or certain sleep medications) must have monthly follow-up appointments. Refills cannot be provided without a scheduled visit. Early refills, replacements for lost/stolen prescriptions, or dose changes outside of appointments will not be accommodated.

Yes-Spravato treatment will be available soon at Balanced Chemistry. It is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and is administered in-office under supervision.

Research is growing around GLP-1 medications (such as those used for diabetes and weight management) and their potential impact on mental health. We are closely monitoring developments and plan to incorporate them into care when appropriate and supported by evidence.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy is currently under FDA review. Balanced Chemistry plans to offer this treatment option if and when it becomes FDA-approved and legally available in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Yes — medical cannabis consultations will be offered soon, in compliance with Massachusetts and New Hampshire laws. Patients will be assessed individually to determine if cannabis may be an appropriate adjunct to treatment.