Your First Online Psychiatry Visit for Depression

Key points

Expect questions about when symptoms began, how long they last and how they affect daily life.
Safety questions, including about thoughts of suicide, are a normal part of care.
Bring a full list of what you take, plus family mental health history.
A first visit may not end in a prescription, and that is not a bad sign.
You must be physically in Pennsylvania or New York during each visit with our psychiatrist.

What the visit is for

Booking a first visit takes courage when your energy is low, and it is a strong step. The aim is for a psychiatrist to understand what you are going through and talk with you about options. It is a conversation, and you do not have to arrive with the right words.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says a provider may ask when your symptoms began, how long they have lasted, how often they occur, and whether they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities. It says it may help to take some notes before the visit. A few bullet points on your phone are enough.

What to bring

NIMH suggests preparing your questions and a list of your medicines, and reviewing your family history, since certain mental illnesses tend to run in families. It also says a friend or relative can help with support, notes and remembering what was said, so ask whether you can include someone.

Everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements.
Past mental health treatment: medicines, therapy, and what did or did not help.
Your medical conditions, allergies and recent lab results, if you have them.
Your family history, including any bipolar disorder.
Your pharmacy's name and address, and your other providers' names.
Your top two or three questions, written down.

Setting up for video

NIMH says online visits require an internet connection and a device such as a smartphone or computer, and that visits may feel less private if people nearby can overhear. So plan where you will sit. A closed door can make a real difference.

With our psychiatrist, you must be physically located in Pennsylvania or New York during each visit. Be ready to say where you are, and have a phone number handy in case the connection drops.

The safety questions, and why they are asked

Some questions can feel very direct. NIMH lists thoughts of death or suicide among the symptoms of depression, and says that in many primary care settings you may be asked about them. A question about suicide is a routine part of careful care, and answering honestly helps your psychiatrist help you. NIMH reminds people to describe all their symptoms.

Questions you may hear

Have you had thoughts of death or of hurting yourself? Are you having them now?
Have you ever had a period of unusually high energy or little need for sleep? Labels ask prescribers to screen for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania or hypomania before an antidepressant.
Do you use alcohol or other substances? NIMH lists increased use as a possible sign of depression, so this is a question for your care, not a judgment.
Are you pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Where are you right now, and who could help if you needed support?

Why it may not end in a prescription

A first visit can end in several good ways. The psychiatrist may suggest medicine, more information, or another approach. Whether any medicine is an option for you is a decision for you and your prescriber. NIMH says certain medicines and medical conditions, such as viruses or thyroid disorders, can cause the same symptoms as depression, and that a provider can rule these out with a physical exam, interview and lab tests. If those are needed, ask how they would be arranged.

If a medicine is discussed, it is a good time to ask about benefits, side effects and alternatives. NIMH says antidepressants usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work. The labels for sertraline and other antidepressants carry a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults, with close monitoring advised. Our medicine library covers each medicine. Please do not stop any current medicine before the visit unless your prescriber tells you to.

After the visit, and how to begin

You should leave knowing what happens next, how to reach someone with a concern and when you will follow up. If you do not, ask. NIMH encourages people to raise concerns about any treatment, ask about other options and consider a second opinion. If you are also looking for therapy, our depression therapy page covers therapy with our team, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado and Florida but not New York.

A licensed psychiatrist on our team, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with more than three decades of practice, offers online depression treatment by secure video. To ask whether our psychiatrist can help, use our medication care contact form, and ask us about fees, insurance and timing. Our therapists do not prescribe.

Video visits are not for emergencies. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services. See our crisis resources too.

Common questions

Will I have to talk about suicidal thoughts?

You will likely be asked, since it is a routine part of depression care. It is a question for everyone, not a judgment of you. Honest answers help your psychiatrist plan safe care. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988, or call 911.

Do I need a referral or past records for my first visit?

Ask us when you reach out, because this can depend on your situation and your plan. You do not need perfect records to have a useful conversation. Share what you remember about past treatment and bring a list of what you take now. Our psychiatrist is open to new patients and referrals.

How is an online visit different from an office visit?

You talk by secure video from a place you choose, so there is no travel. NIMH says virtual visits can make care easier to fit into a busy schedule, and that some people find them less intimidating. The tradeoffs are technology problems and privacy at home. Any physical exam or lab test would need to be arranged separately.

Can someone join me for the visit?

NIMH says it can help to bring a close friend or relative, who can offer support, take notes and help you remember what was discussed. Ask us ahead of time about including someone. NIMH notes that some people prefer to meet alone first and have that person join when treatment is discussed.

Sources

Published by Locascio Wellness. Published November 5, 2026. Clinically reviewed by Kenneth M. Levy, DO, Psychiatrist (Pennsylvania license OS007464L). This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.

Your First Online Psychiatry Visit for Depression: What to Expect