Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, who specializes in mental health. Training consists of 4 years of undergraduate work, 4 years of medical school, and a 3-4-year residency program. Child/adolescent psychiatrists receive an additional 2 years of fellowship training. Board certification certifies competency by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
How long are appointments?
New patient appointments are 60-90 minutes long, and follow-ups are typically 30 minutes.
Do you provide telehealth?
Yes, Dr. Hu provides virtual psychiatric services provided this is clinically appropriate. She requires that all new patients be seen in-person first at her office in Hickory, North Carolina. Please be aware that in certain clinical scenarios, she may request that you be seen at her office in-person for each visit. These policies are subject to change in accordance with federal or state guidelines.
What should I expect at my first visit?
During the first appointment, Dr. Hu takes time to understand your needs and if applicable, the needs of your family. For older children and adolescents, Dr. Hu typically meets separately with the family/guardian(s) and the child (either in-person in her office or through a separate phone/video call). This allows her to hear various perspectives in a lower pressure setting and to gain a thorough appreciation of your concerns. Dr. Hu listens to your past experiences and struggles and tries to understand future goals that you may have and what healing might look like for you. She strongly believes in collaborative decision-making and values your input in deciding which treatments to pursue. After our first appointment, she may request to coordinate care with various other clinicians and professionals, including primary care physicians, therapists, teachers, and school counselors.
Is there anything you don’t treat?
Dr. Hu does not provide court-mandated or child custody evaluations. She does not provide fitness-for-duty evaluations. She typically does not complete disability paperwork, though this is determined on a case-by-case basis and requires regular appointments to ensure thorough and appropriate evaluation and treatment. Our office does not offer methadone or Suboxone. While Dr. Hu is able to manage behavioral problems that co-exist with autism and development disorders, she does not provide formal testing (e.g. ADOS, CARS) and collaborates with her local psychology colleagues.
What ages do you treat?
Dr. Hu is currently not accepting new patients but has a wait list for this August/September 2026. At that time, she will be expanding her age range to ages 5-45 years. However, please do not hesitate to reach out as she is often able to make exceptions (e.g. if an older individual prefers to see a female psychiatrist, and there are limited options within the community; seeing a younger child with significant behavioral difficulties; etc.). Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Do you provide therapy?
While Dr. Hu has extensive training in psychotherapy, she is not currently providing weekly therapy services, though she often weaves in elements of therapy during her visits. During her residency and fellowship, she has received extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, parent management training, and family therapy.
Will you collaborate with my other clinicians?
Yes, Dr. Hu strongly believes in taking a collaborative approach and enjoys working with other professionals, including teachers, therapists, and primary care providers. She encourages open lines of communication with clinicians involved in your care to better understand you as a whole person. Please note that for ADHD evaluations, she requests that a friend, parent, or partner (ideally someone who has known you when you were 12 years and younger) be present with you during the assessment to provide additional information. This is because ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, and evaluation of childhood symptoms is important for diagnosis. Failure to do so may result in prolongation of the evaluation and/or referral to another clinic. Due to the complex nature of mental health disorders, Dr. Hu may not be able to diagnose ADHD during first appointments and may recommend ongoing diagnostic clarification over time.
Do you prescribe controlled substances?
Yes, Dr. Hu prescribes controlled substances but only after thorough evaluation and assessment that these medications are indicated for treatment. Please note that individuals may be subject to random urine drug screens and that records are checked at each appointment. Per federal and state regulations, patients who are taking controlled substances must be seen at least every 3 months.
Do you provide documentation for emotional support animals?
As there is no formalized training requirement for emotional support animals, Dr. Hu is unable to provide individuals with documentation/letters for this.
