Patients and Families – Request an Evaluation

The UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry provides comprehensive evaluations for individuals experiencing severe, complex, or treatment-resistant psychiatric symptoms. Our goal is to determine the most appropriate level of care and treatment options based on each patient’s unique clinical needs.

Evaluations are available for patients and families seeking specialized assessment and advanced treatment planning.

Who Should Request an Evaluation

An evaluation at the Center may be appropriate for individuals who:

  • Have not improved with standard psychiatric treatments
  • Experience severe or persistent depression, bipolar disorder, or related mood conditions
  • Have been advised to consider interventional treatments such as ECT, TMS, or ketamine-based therapies
  • Experience recurrent hospitalizations, functional impairment, or high symptom burden
  • Are experiencing worsening symptoms or suicidal thoughts and need specialized care planning

Family members and caregivers are welcome to participate in the evaluation process when appropriate.

What the Evaluation Involves

A comprehensive evaluation may include:

  • Detailed psychiatric and medical history review
  • Review of prior treatments and response
  • Diagnostic clarification and risk assessment
  • Discussion of treatment options across different levels of care
  • Consideration of interventional and non-interventional therapies
  • Collaborative treatment planning with the patient and family

The evaluation is designed to be thorough, respectful, and patient-centered.

Levels of Care We May Recommend

Based on the evaluation, recommendations may include:

  • Outpatient specialty care
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
  • Inpatient psychiatric care at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center
  • Interventional psychiatry treatments when clinically appropriate

Not all patients require interventional treatment; recommendations are individualized.

How to Request an Evaluation

Patients and families may request an evaluation in one of the following ways:

  • By phone: 📞 (713) 486-2621
  • By referral: A referral from a psychiatrist, primary care provider, or mental health professional may be submitted
  • By self-referral: Patients may contact the Center directly to inquire about evaluation options

Our team will guide you through the following steps, including required records, insurance considerations, and scheduling.

Important Safety Information

If you or a loved one is experiencing immediate danger, suicidal thoughts, or a psychiatric emergency, please:

  • Call 911, or
  • Go to the nearest emergency department
  • Walk-ins to our Inpatient Unit are welcome

This page is not intended for emergency care.

Our Commitment to Patients and Families

We recognize that seeking specialized psychiatric care can be challenging. The Center is committed to:

  • Respectful, compassionate communication
  • Clear explanation of options and recommendations
  • Collaboration with patients, families, and referring clinicians
  • Evidence-based, individualized care

Our team is here to support you at every step of the evaluation and treatment process.