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Initial Assessment for Therapy ONLY
This is an initial assessment for patients that ARE NOT interested in medication. The doctor will review your initial assessment paperwork with you and create your account. The treatment plan WILL NOT include medication. This is perfect for those seeking therapy only. This is a virtual appointment. Please make sure you have completed all the paperwork sent to your email. You will receive a password once everything is completed. There is a $50 fee for booking online. If you wish to avoid that fee please see our "Walk-ins" webpage.
$99 $99 · 15 minutes
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Initial Assessment by Psychiatrist (Medical Doctor)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL WITHIN 24 HOURS TO FINISH APPLYING. By entering your contact information, you agree to be contacted at the phone number and email address you provide. An Initial Assessment consists of: medical history gathering, symptom review, safety assessment, creation of a chart and plan of action. Plan of action may include therapy and/or medication management. The doctors specialize in anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD. We also treat bipolar disorder and psychoses upon signature of our Serious Mental Illness form. Please watch our Welcome Video for more information. There is a one-time, non-refundable $50 fee for booking online (so we can be sure only those with serious interest apply online). We are considered an out-of-network provider and can offer financial aid if necessary. You will receive a HIPAA compliant zoom link to your email address on file at the start time of your appointment. Special arrangements must be made for in-person appointments. There is a $100 afterhours fee for seeing the medical director (Dr. Waggel) outside of 9-5 business hours, however, the other providers do not charge an after hours fee. Please call (703) 988-5433 for further details.
$295 $295 · 1 hour
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Patient Advocate
Hello! I am doctor Waggel. I have a complex medical history including a diagnosis of cancer at age 28. I know how exceedingly difficult it is to navigate treatment. At one time, I had 12 different doctors! One of the most frustrating things I have experienced is going to a doctor’s appointment to review results and finding the doctor did not have or did not review the results yet. Given I am also a doctor, I understand it this happens for a variety of factors. One is that doctors are forced to see many patients in very little time. I had one experience at a GI doctor where he actually threw my chart down in front of me to demonstrate the size of it in response to my asking why he was unfamiliar with my medical history. If you become a patient of Improve Life PLLC you can choose the “patient advocate” service. I will write for you a one-page letter and fax it to all of your doctors. I can send you an example prior to booking. I will not provide advice on treatment (that is the specialist’s job) but I will write a clear and concise summary of your medical history and appointments for your records. It should not replace a thorough medical review by your specialist, but it can help facilitate a dialog between your providers. It will also help you to become familiar with your diagnoses and medication. Some patients don’t even know what which one of their medications is for which diagnosis! The goal of this service to alleviate the overwhelming and hopeless feelings that come along with a complex medical history. When people have a better understanding of their physical health, it helps their mental health.
1 hour
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Therapy Sessions with Stephanie Causey (Initial Assessment Required)
!!!NEW HOURS - 7 AM to 7 PM!!! Hour-long therapy for anxiety, depression, personal/interpersonal conflict, dual diagnosis, anger management, grief, trauma, stress, adjustment, faith and more with the therapist, Stephanie Causey.
$195 · 1 hour
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Computerized ADHD Testing (Initial Assessment Required, must be on Wednesday)
The patient will sit at a computer desk and follow the instructions on the TOVA computer monitor. The instructions will explain the use of a special device (similar to a computer mouse). It calculates: consistency, speed, impulsivity, focus, and vigilance. Responses to visual or auditory stimuli are recorded. This appointment is added to either a 60 minute or 30-minute medication management session so results and plan can be discussed. There is a guide on Improve Life’s YouTube channel on how to book more than one appointment type at the same time, but it is actually quite easy. All one has to do is check off more than one box when booking an appointment. If the patient only books a 30-minute TOVA computer ADHD evaluation session with no follow up, the appointment will be over as soon as the test is complete. This is a timed test, therefore, patients must arrive on time to 11250 Roger Bacon Drive and text the daily password to 703 988 5433 so the front desk can greet them. Patients must avoid caffeine for 12 hours prior because caffeine invalidates the results. Due to COVID precautions (staff sanitizes the device after each use), you must book this on a Wednesday. Call (703) 988-5433 for more information.
$295 · 30 minutes
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Medication Management with Psychiatrist (MD)
Medication Management Only appointments are available to certain patients after they have had an Initial Assessment and symptoms have stabilized. If you are rescheduling a follow-up and have been prescribed medication, please keep in mind the number of tablets and refills left on your medication to avoid running out. Due to Virginia law, many medications cannot be called in over the phone and in many cases it is unsafe. In office on Wednesdays only. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE DAILY PASSCODE THEN YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT and you will receive a HIPAA compliant zoom link to your email address on file at the start time of your appointment.
$195 · 30 minutes
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Genetic Testing (Initial Assessment Required without a Referral)
Genetic Testing provides a personalized guide for medication treatment based on your DNA. You must become a patient (have an Initial Assessment) prior to booking the Genetic Testing. Results are given at a Follow-Up session.
$70 · 5 minutes
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Urgent/Night and Weekend/Urgent Appointment with Therapist
Night and Weekend/Urgent Appointments with Stephanie Causey are available to a patient after they have had an Initial Assessment and arranged for this service. Available after arrangement with Stephanie Causey
Starting at $220 · 1 hour
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Urgent/Night Weekend Appointment with Medical Doctor
Night and Weekend/Urgent/Last Minute Appointments with Dr. Waggel (or Dr. Driscoll by request) are available to a patient after they have had an Initial Assessment and arranged for this service. Appointments before 9 am, after 5 pm, or on weekends fall into this category. May be a telesession or in office (only in special circumstances with one week's notice). You must save your card on file and pay at the time of booking. Urgent bookings are non-refundable and charged at time of booking.
2 Options
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Follow-Up Medication Management & Therapy with Medical Doctor
Follow-up Medication Management & Therapy sessions are available after a patient has had an initial assessment. If you are rescheduling a follow-up and have been prescribed medication, please keep in mind the number of tablets and refills left on your medication to avoid running out. Due to Virginia law, many medications cannot be called in over the phone and in many cases it is unsafe. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE DAILY PASSCODE THEN YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT and you will receive a HIPAA compliant zoom link to your email address on file at the start time of your appointment.
$295 · 1 hour
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Telesession with Psychiatrist (Medical Doctor)
Have a Follow-up Medication Management & Therapy session from the comfort of your own home. No need to deal with traffic! Telesessions are available after a patient has had an initial assessment. Prior approval necessary. Not for patients on controlled substances. If you are rescheduling a followup and have been prescribed medication, please keep in mind the number of tablets and refills left on your medication to avoid running out.
$195 · 30 minutes
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Dr. Driscoll
Dr. Driscoll is a board-certified psychiatrist and fellow of the American Psychiatry Association. She has over five years of experience as a Chief of Inpatient Behavioral Health Services and Medical Director. She is proficient in conducting evaluations on a wide range of the population including medication management and therapy. She has extensive experience providing clinical and administrative leadership and she works very hard to ensure the delivery of quality patient care.
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Dr. Waggel
Dr. Waggel is a mother, physician, author, and motivational speaker. She hosted and was a speaker at the National Day to Prevent Physician and Medical Student Suicide in Washington, DC. She was also filmed for the movie "Do No Harm" which discusses abuse in the medical education system. She has been asked to speak for organizations such as Public Citizen, Care2, and One Story. She has also published articles with Physician Family and Kevin MD. She was named a Physician of the Year 2016 by Medscape. She typically speaks on achieving life and career goals despite adversity, mental health education, and tips and tricks for premeds and medical students, depression, addiction, stress, sexual assault, discrimination and women’s health issues. Education: Chatham University (BA); Chatham University (MS); The George Washington University (MD). Internship and post graduate training: The George Washington University Licensure: The Commonwealth of Virginia
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Dr. Waggel After Hours
Dr. Waggel uses this account to see patients outside of business hours.
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Dr. Waggel Telesession
Dr. Waggel is a mother, physician, author, and motivational speaker. She hosted and was a speaker at the National Day to Prevent Physician and Medical Student Suicide in Washington, DC. She was also filmed for the movie "Do No Harm" which discusses abuse in the medical education system. She has been asked to speak for organizations such as Public Citizen, Care2, and One Story. She has also published articles with Physician Family and Kevin MD. She was named a Physician of the Year 2016 by Medscape. She typically speaks on achieving life and career goals despite adversity, mental health education, and tips and tricks for premeds and medical students, depression, addiction, stress, sexual assault, discrimination and women’s health issues. Education: Chatham University (BA); Chatham University (MS); The George Washington University (MD). Internship and post graduate training: The George Washington University Licensure: The Commonwealth of Virginia
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Jenna Watson
Jenna is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist with ten years of experience in treating anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders. Her primary clinical interests include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for treatment of anxiety disorders, including phobias and panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, including body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder), and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder. Education: Emerson College (MA); Harvard University (Ed.M); Catholic University (MSW) Licensure: The Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Stephanie Humkey Causey
Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Virginia and Kentucky who specializes in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, dual diagnosis, grief, adjustment, and relational problems. Her background includes clinical work in the corporate, forensic, educational, and therapeutic settings. She is experienced in providing collaborative and clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults in both community and private practices. Education: University of Central Florida (BA); University of Kentucky (MSW) Licensure: The Commonwealth of Virginia, The Commonwealth of Kentucky