Notice: We are currently taking a pause on accepting referrals through OceanMD. Patients that have already been referred will still be seen by Dr. Alex Raben.

How can I refer a patient?

To refer a patient to Vita Psychiatry, please visit our website to fill out our secure form. At this time, we only accept referrals that are submitted through our website form, we do not accept fax referrals. We are also taking a pause from accepting referrals via OceanMD.

Once your referral form has been submitted, your patient will immediately receive an automatic email with a link to our online portal to self-book their appointment time.

Because we are a small team with limited resources, we have an automated program that notifies patients immediately upon our referral form being filled out, which is why we do not accept referrals via fax or email.

Do you accept urgent referrals?

No, we are not an urgent care clinic. If your patient is seeking urgent care, please submit your referral with another provider.

Who can refer?

All Ontario primary care providers (family physicians and nurse practitioners) can refer patients to Vita Psychiatry. In certain cases (e.g. second opinion), psychiatrists or other specialists can refer so long as the patient has a primary care provider for follow-up care. Who can refer?

How will I receive the consultation note?

If you have provided an email address that is HIPAA compliant, you will receive the consultation note via email. If you prefer to have the consultation note sent to you via fax, this is also an option on our referral form. If you have sent an eReferral via the OceanMD platform, you will receive the consultation note on OceanMD.

Are there any requirements for my patients?

Yes.

Patients must have a valid Ontario Health Card, an email address, and the means to connect virtually (microphone, camera, internet access, etc.).

Patients are also required to provide a valid credit card to reserve their appointment time, so they should also familiarize themselves with our cancellation policy. Should they have any questions, they can contact us at admin@vitapsychiatry.com. This information is detailed clearly during our booking process.

If a patient that you referred is not able to adhere or does not consent to our clinic policies, we will notify the patient to reach out to you to get a referral to another clinic, as well as notify yourself as the referring physician or nurse practitioner.

How does my patient book their appointment?

Immediately after filling out our referral form, patients are sent a clear email with instructions on how to book their appointment with us. Should a patient need assistance, they can contact us at admin@vitapsychiatry.com.

Do you see patients with all types of mental illness/struggles?

Yes.

Vita Psychiatry is a general adult psychiatry clinic and we will see patients for any mental health issue, even if the diagnosis or problem is unclear. Dr. Alex Raben has extensive experience in treating all forms of mental illness, particularly those which are more severe.

Do you see patients with potential ADHD?

Yes, we provide consultations for ADHD.

Do you see patients of all ages?

At this time, we only provide care for patients 18 years of age and older.

Are assessments OHIP covered?

Yes.

All visits are covered by OHIP so long as your patient has a valid Ontario Health Card. At this time, we do not accept referrals outside of Ontario.

The only time that a charge is incurred, is if it falls within our cancellation policy.

Do you provide prescriptions?

No, not at this time. To keep wait times short and provide service to as many patients as possible, we are currently not providing prescriptions.

Instead of directly prescribing, our treatment plans provide detailed information on proposed medications (notable side effects, contraindications, etc.) and instructions on how to prescribe them. We also provide education to patients regarding proposed medications so that patients are empowered to make informed decisions before following up with you.

Do you provide follow-up?

No, not at this time. This also allows us to keep wait times short and provide service to as many patients as possible. As our clinic grows this may change and we will communicate these changes.

The referring health professional must be available for follow-up after the patient is seen at our clinic.

Is there an option for in-person consultations?

No, not at this time. All visits are currently virtual through video conferencing.

Do you provide psychotherapy?

At this time, we are not offering psychotherapy. Please check here for any changes in the future.

Is Vita Psychiatry hiring?

We are not currently hiring at this time, however, you are more than welcome to submit a resume/CV for us to keep on file at admin@vitapsychiatry.com. Should our team be expanding, we will reach out to you.