Frequently asked questions
Answers before you have to ask.
Psychiatric care can feel opaque. The practical parts should not.
These answers cover the most common questions about fit, fees, telehealth, and the first step.
Quick guidance
Start here.
Open any question for a plain-language answer. For help with a specific question, contact the practice.
Contact the practice01Does the practice accept insurance?+
New patients pay the practice directly. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, we can provide a superbill for you to submit, or help file the claim. You handle follow-up with your insurer after submission; reimbursement is not guaranteed. Existing patients' insurance arrangements continue separately. See fees and payment policies.
02Who does the practice work with?+
We work with adults seeking direct-pay psychiatric care, by telehealth across Connecticut. A brief inquiry helps us guide you to the appropriate next step, with personal follow-up when needed. Meet the team.
03How does the team approach work?+
Your treating clinician develops the care plan, with consultation from the other clinician and nursing support when useful. The team helps keep communication and practical care coordination connected. See how connected care works.
04Can I request either clinician as my primary treating provider?+
Yes. New patients first complete a medical and psychiatric intake evaluation with Eric O’Connor, DNP, APRN. Ongoing care can then be with Hamilton Gaiani, MD or Eric O’Connor, DNP, APRN, depending on your preference, clinical fit, and availability. Explore each clinician's background.
05Can the team help with practical care coordination?+
Yes. The team can help with pharmacy issues, prior-authorization requests, referrals, and coordination with your other clinicians. Information-sharing permissions are discussed with you. Explore care coordination.
06Are appointments available by telehealth?+
Yes. We are a telehealth practice serving adults across Connecticut. Under our practice policy, an in-person visit for controlled-medication care is arranged individually with the team. These visits are not available through online booking. Read the visit policies.
07What happens during the complimentary 15-minute chat?+
It is a free 15-minute telehealth conversation about the care you are seeking, how the practice works, and whether to arrange a full evaluation. Begin with the brief inquiry; we will email your next step or arrange a personal call. The introduction is separate from a treatment visit. See the first steps in care.
08What happens during the initial paid evaluation?+
Every new patient begins intake with a medical and psychiatric evaluation with Eric O’Connor, DNP, APRN. The $250 evaluation includes 60 minutes of professional time: 45 minutes together and 15 minutes for collaborative care, prescription management when appropriate, and documentation. You review your history, medical context, and goals, then discuss recommendations. Learn about your evaluation.
09What if the practice is not the right fit after an evaluation?+
The team explains its assessment and can share information about other care options or a higher level of care. You also decide whether the proposed approach suits your needs. Read about deciding on next steps.
10What do follow-up visits cost?+
A 30-minute follow-up is $190 with Eric O'Connor, DNP, APRN or $250 with Hamilton Gaiani, MD. See all visit fees.
11Does an appointment guarantee a medication or prescription?+
No. Medication decisions follow a clinical evaluation. A particular diagnosis, prescription, controlled medication, or treatment plan is not guaranteed in advance. Read about medication management.
12What does addiction psychiatry include?+
Both Dr. Gaiani and Eric O’Connor provide care for substance-use concerns and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Treatment may include medication-assisted treatment or other medication management after evaluation. Explore addiction psychiatry.
13What does Eric O’Connor’s integrative psychiatric care include?+
Eric O’Connor considers psychiatric symptoms alongside physical health, sleep, medications, and daily functioning, drawing on his background in primary care, emergency care, adult-gerontology, and psychiatry. Explore Eric O’Connor’s integrative approach.
14Do you look beyond psychiatric medication?+
Yes. Medical conditions, sleep, nutrition, and daily functioning can be part of the evaluation. Recommendations may include therapy, exercise, medical care, or coordination with your other clinicians. Explore the mind–body approach.
15What does Registered Nurse Care Support include?+
Lisa Curtiss, RN helps with questions between appointments and practical follow-through, including pharmacy coordination, referrals, and records. Explore Lisa's nursing support.
16Does Dr. Gaiani provide physician-health evaluations?+
Yes. Dr. Gaiani evaluates mental-health and substance-use concerns for physician-health and related healthcare-professional programs. The purpose, scope, and fee are confirmed before scheduling. Read about professional-health evaluations.
17Can I email private medical information?+
Please use Spruce or the secure intake process for health information and attachments. Ordinary email is for general inquiries. Find secure contact options.
18What should I do in an emergency?+
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This website, email, and chat requests are not emergency services or continuously monitored. See urgent-support information.
19How do I get started?+
Complete the secure inquiry on the contact page. If your answers meet the criteria for self-scheduling, we email a link to book a free 15-minute video chat with Hamilton Gaiani, MD or Eric O’Connor, DNP, APRN. Otherwise, the practice will contact you to discuss next steps, usually within two business days. You can also call 475-244-7517. Established patients can continue in Spruce. See how to get started.
Urgent support
This practice is not an emergency service.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
