Conditions We Treat
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
The PMADs consist of a group of symptoms that can affect individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period, causing emotional and physical problems that make it hard to enjoy life and function well.
Mood Disorders
- Depression
- Dysthymic Disorder
- Adjustment Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Postpartum Depression
- Postpartum Psychosis
Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Social Phobia
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Relationship Problems
Relationship problems can pre-date the birth of your first child, or can arise as a result of the changes and additional stressors following birth. We can help you navigate these difficulties.
Our Treatment Approach
Our clinicians work as partners using both psychotherapy and medication management, where appropriate. We adhere firmly to the principles of informed consent and make sure that patients are informed about both the risks associated with a proposed treatment as well as the risks associated with untreated symptoms. As a partner in your recovery, we do not dictate your treatment. Our role is to equip you with the information that will assist you to make your own individual decisions that align with your priorities and needs.
We prefer to partner with your health care providers including obstetricians, family practice providers and midwives.
We encourage you to look for and make use of other partners in your recovery. These partners can include family members, your religious community, other mothers in your area or any additional social supports. You may also wish to attend a support group just for mothers who are experiencing depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
Psychotherapy with
Patricia Fuss, PsyD, Deborah Balak, LCSW or Denise Williford, LCSW
Dr. Fuss, Ms. Balak and Ms. Williford will see patients referred to PWMH for therapy. After an initial therapy consultation, if it is agreed that our clinicians are best suited to your treatment needs, you and your treatment team will create a partnership to formulate your treatment goals and the methods by which you can meet them. Therapy sessions are approximately 45 minutes long and can be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or on whatever schedule works best to meet your needs.
For Dr. Fuss, in-person therapy sessions are greatly preferred, although telehealth sessions are available when in-person sessions are not practical.
Ms. Balak is only available for telehealth therapy sessions, and Ms. Williford has a mix of in-person and virtual sessions.
Please be aware that you will need to be in the state of VA even for telehealth sessions, as that is where all of our clinicians are licensed.
Telepsychiatry Services with Christine Truman, MD
In general, initial medication consultations will be face-to face in our Norfolk office. After an initial consultation and initiation of treatment, the option for telepsychiatry appointments via a secure video platform may be a treatment option offered to you by Dr. Truman.
The initial evaluation will last approximately 45-60 minutes, with follow-up sessions lasting 15-20 minutes.
If an in-person initial session does not work for you, you can request that your session be conducted virtually. Dr. Truman will approve such requests on a case-by-case basis.
Please be aware that you will need to be in the state of VA even for telehealth sessions, as that is where all of our clinicians are licensed.
Payment for Services
Our Clinicians are providers with the insurance companies listed below, otherwise we accept self payment for services. If you are insured through a company not listed below, you may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement of your payments for our services as out-of-network providers. It is your responsibility to inquire about this benefit with your individual plan and submit your own claims. You may also use a health savings plan or a flexible spending plan to pay for our services.
For individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care
program, or who are not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage, we will provide a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges prior to your initial appointment or upon request.
** Please be aware that we are not Medicaid providers **
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem)
Tricare
Tricare Certified
Non-Network Provider
Check with your Tricare Select or Prime benefits for coverage and out-of-pocket costs
Optima
Partners in Women's Mental Health strives to treat all individuals in a fair and respectful manner. We accept patients regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality, and we hope that all individuals find a safe haven with our clinicians.