Mental Health Clinic in Raleigh, NC | Evaluations, Medication Management & Telepsychiatry

Board-certified psychiatric providers offering comprehensive evaluations, personalized medication management, and secure telepsychiatry for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related conditions.

Meet Our Psychiatricists and Therapists

Meet our experienced psychiatricists and licensed therapists who provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, counseling, and personalized mental health support at NuTrans Health.

NuTrans Health LLC NPI: 1962101287

Natashia Shelley, MA, LCMHC

MA, LCMHC

Natashia Shelley

NPI: 1497158661

Licensed clinical mental health counselor with 10+ years experience supporting adults and children with evidence-based counseling.

Kalia Lapomarel, LCSW, LCASA

LCSW, LCASA

Kalia Lapomarel

NPI: 1467125930

Clinical social worker specializing in mental health and substance use disorders using CBT and solution-focused therapy.

Nisha Kotecha, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Nisha Kotecha

NPI: 1093144719

Dual board-certified with 15+ years clinical experience offering holistic, patient-centered psychiatric care and medication management.

Benjenus Jenkins, MSW, LCSWA, LCAS-A

MSW, LCSWA, LCAS-A

Benjenus Jenkins

NPI: 1902386360

Behavioral health director specializing in integrated addiction and mental health services with focus on whole-person care.

Clarissa Gooding-Aytch, MPH, MSW, LCSW, LCAS

MPH, MSW, LCSW, LCAS

Clarissa Gooding-Aytch

NPI: 1356912372

Licensed clinical social worker and addiction specialist with 10+ years supporting trauma, grief, and life transitions.

Board Certified

Psychiatric providers and therapists

Insurance Friendly

Many major plans accepted

Flexible Care

Telehealth & In-Person

Our Psychiatric Care Services in Raleigh, NC Include

We support you from your first evaluation through years of stable management.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluations

In-depth diagnostic assessments covering symptom history, psychiatric and medical background, prior treatment response, and risk factors to build an accurate diagnosis before treatment begins.

Medication Management

Prescribing and ongoing adjustments based on symptom response, side effect tolerability, and interactions with other medications, with regular follow-up to fine-tune your regimen.

Collaborative Treatment Plans

A coordinated approach combining medication management with therapy referrals when appropriate, so psychiatric and therapeutic care work together rather than in isolation.

Telepsychiatry Services

Secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual visits available to Raleigh-area residents, covering both initial evaluations and ongoing medication management appointments.

Specialized Mood Disorder Support

Focused care for anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and overlapping conditions that often complicate diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment-Resistant Case Support

For patients who have tried multiple medications or providers without improvement, we reassess diagnosis, review treatment history, and adjust strategy rather than repeating prior approaches.

What Happens During a Psychiatric Evaluation

What Happens During a Psychiatric Evaluation

Most patients don't know what to expect from their first psychiatric visit. Here is the actual process.

1
Intake and History Review (45 to 60 minutes)
Your first visit covers current symptoms, when they started, how they've changed over time, prior diagnoses, past medications and their effects, family psychiatric history, substance use, and relevant medical conditions. This is the foundation for an accurate diagnosis, not a formality.
2
Diagnostic Clarification
Many conditions share overlapping symptoms. Anxiety and ADHD can both cause difficulty concentrating. Bipolar depression and unipolar depression require different medication strategies. Your provider distinguishes between these possibilities using structured clinical criteria, not a checklist alone.
3
Treatment Plan Discussion
You and your provider discuss options together, including medication, therapy referral, or both. If medication is recommended, you'll review expected benefits, common side effects, how long it typically takes to notice effects, and what monitoring will look like.
4
Follow-Up and Adjustment
Initial follow-up appointments are typically scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks to assess how you're responding. Medication changes are rarely one-and-done; dosing and drug selection are refined based on your actual response, not assumptions.

Conditions We Treat

We provide specialized psychiatric care for the following conditions.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias. Treatment often combines medication with therapy referral for longer-term symptom reduction.

Depression

Major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. Evaluation includes screening for bipolar features, since antidepressant-only treatment can worsen bipolar depression.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar I and II, requiring mood stabilization strategies distinct from unipolar depression treatment. Careful monitoring for mood cycling is central to management.

ADHD

Evaluation and treatment for both childhood-onset and adult-diagnosed ADHD, including cases complicated by co-occurring anxiety or mood symptoms.

Trauma and PTSD

Medication support for trauma-related symptoms, often coordinated with trauma-focused therapy for comprehensive treatment.

Treatment-Resistant Concerns

For patients who haven't responded to standard first-line treatments, reassessment of diagnosis and augmentation strategies beyond initial medication trials.

Why Choose NuTrans Health for Psychiatric Care in Raleigh, NC

The right provider makes the difference between managing symptoms and actually feeling better. Here's how we help you get there.

Diagnosis-First Approach

We invest time in accurate diagnosis before prescribing, reducing the trial-and-error cycle many patients experience elsewhere.

Provider Matching

You're matched with a provider based on your specific symptoms, history, and preferences rather than the next available slot.

Insurance-Friendly Access

We work with many major insurance plans, reducing the financial barrier that often delays people from seeking psychiatric care.

Flexible Visit Formats

Choose in-person visits at our Raleigh office or secure telepsychiatry, with the option to switch formats as your needs change.

Coordinated Care

When therapy is appropriate alongside medication, we help coordinate that referral rather than leaving you to find separate care on your own.

Confidential by Design

All records and communications are protected under HIPAA standards, with secure systems for both in-person and virtual care.

How Medication Management Works at NuTrans Health

Medication management is more than writing a prescription. It's an ongoing process of matching the right medication class, dose, and timing to your specific symptoms while minimizing side effects.

What Gets Evaluated at Each Visit

  • Changes in target symptoms since the last visit (mood, anxiety level, sleep, concentration, energy)
  • Side effects, including ones patients often don't report unprompted (sexual side effects, weight changes, sedation, GI symptoms)
  • Adherence, including missed doses and reasons behind them
  • Interactions with other prescribed medications, supplements, or substances
  • Whether dose adjustment, medication change, or augmentation is appropriate

How Telepsychiatry Works at NuTrans Health

Telepsychiatry visits at NuTrans Health function the same as in-person appointments, using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.

What You Need for a Telepsychiatry Visit

  • A private, quiet space with reliable internet connection
  • A smartphone, tablet, or computer with camera and microphone
  • Valid North Carolina address at the time of the visit, as psychiatric prescribing is regulated by state licensure
  • A list of current medications and dosages for review

What Telepsychiatry Can and Cannot Do

Telepsychiatry works well for diagnostic evaluation, medication management, and follow-up care. Certain situations, such as active safety concerns requiring in-person assessment or medications with strict in-person prescribing requirements, may require an in-person visit. Your provider will let you know if this applies to your situation.

We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans

We work with many major insurance plans to make psychiatric care accessible for Raleigh residents.

  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Aetna
  • Optum
  • Wellcare
  • Carolina Complete Health
  • AmeriHealth Caritas

NuTrans Health Serves All of Raleigh, NC

Our caregivers proudly serve individuals and families throughout Raleigh with reliable, high-quality care tailored to each client's needs.

  • North Raleigh
  • Midtown Raleigh
  • North Hills
  • West Raleigh
  • Southeast Raleigh
  • Brier Creek
  • Five Points
  • Crabtree Valley
  • Durant Trails

NuTrans Health - Raleigh

5109 Hollyridge Dr #103, Raleigh, NC 27612, United States
Phone: +1 844-748-8443
Hours: Open · Closes 5 PM

What Our Patients Say About Our Psychiatric Services

Real feedback from people who found the mental health care they needed.

★★★★★

“They really listen. The problem with my previous therapy was they weren't listening, so I'm glad I found a place that cares about my well-being.”

Samantha Blue
★★★★★

“After my psychiatrist retired, Dr. Shirley made the transition smooth and easy. She's incredibly kind and puts you at ease immediately.”

Olivia Faye
★★★★★

“Telehealth is so convenient with my busy schedule. Dr. Shirley is amazing and puts my needs first while being personable and genuine.”

Hayden Reed
★★★★★

“I called to schedule and the staff was incredibly helpful and professional. They answered immediately and explained everything clearly.”

Mekeisha Bradley
★★★★★

“The staff is prompt and courteous. The ease of telehealth fits my lifestyle well. I appreciate NuTrans Health so much.”

Michelle Picarella
★★★★★

“Natasha is fantastic. My 6-year-old actually looks forward to her sessions. She makes therapy feel comfortable and safe.”

Allison Singer

Frequently Asked Questions

Mental Health Clinic in Raleigh, NC

How is a psychiatric evaluation different from a therapy session?

A psychiatric evaluation focuses on diagnosis and, when appropriate, medication treatment. It covers medical and psychiatric history in detail to determine whether medication could help and which condition best explains your symptoms. Therapy focuses on ongoing talk-based treatment. Many patients benefit from both, coordinated together.

How long does it take for psychiatric medication to work?

This varies by medication class. Stimulants for ADHD often show effects within days. Antidepressants and anxiety medications typically take 4 to 6 weeks to reach full effect, which is why early follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor progress and adjust if needed rather than waiting months to reassess.

Can I be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult?

Yes. Many adults are diagnosed later in life, often after symptoms were previously attributed to anxiety, stress, or personality traits. Evaluation involves reviewing childhood history alongside current symptoms, since ADHD criteria require evidence of symptoms beginning before age 12.

What if I've tried medication before without success?

Treatment-resistant symptoms often indicate that the original diagnosis needs review, not just a different dose of the same medication class. We reassess your full history before recommending next steps, which may include a different medication class, augmentation strategy, or reconsideration of the diagnosis itself.

Is telepsychiatry as effective as in-person visits?

For evaluation, medication management, and many forms of follow-up care, research has generally found telepsychiatry outcomes comparable to in-person visits. Certain situations, such as active safety concerns or specific controlled substance prescribing rules, may still require in-person care.

Do you prescribe controlled substances via telehealth?

Prescribing of certain controlled substances, including some ADHD stimulant medications, is subject to DEA telehealth regulations that may require an in-person visit at some point in treatment. Your provider will explain what applies to your specific medication and situation.

Start With an Accurate Diagnosis

Schedule a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation with a Raleigh-based provider and get a treatment plan built around your actual symptoms and history.