You can schedule directly with Dr. Helder Araujo using the Book an Appointment button on this website. Please select “new patient visit” if you are a new patient. Alternatively, you can complete the contact form, and we’ll help coordinate a convenient time.

After booking your appointment, you will receive a few emails requesting that you sign up for the patient portal and complete questionnaires. This helps make your first telepsychiatry session more straightforward.

Appointment length varies: intake sessions typically last 60–90 minutes, while follow-up appointments last 15–60 minutes, depending on your needs.

Frequency depends on your treatment plan and needs, typically ranging from weekly to monthly follow-ups.

Yes, you can manage appointments directly through our online scheduling system. Please make sure you read our cancellation policy to avoid any fees.

Currently, telepsychiatry services in California are only available to patients located in California due to licensing regulations.

Yes. If you need an appointment the same day, please send us your information through the contact form, and we’ll reach out to schedule if possible.

Yes. Dr. Helder Araujo provides medication management, including evaluation, prescription, and ongoing monitoring tailored to your needs.

We do not provide TMS or ECT in-office, but we can provide guidance or referrals if these treatments are appropriate for your condition.

Psychotherapy focuses on talk therapy to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. Psychiatry involves medical evaluation and management, including medications when appropriate. Dr. Araujo provides psychotherapy, medication management, or a combination of both, depending on your needs.

Personalized treatment means your care plan is tailored to your individual needs, goals, and preferences, which may include therapy, medications, and other evidence-based interventions.

Yes. Many patients continue therapy while receiving psychiatric care. Coordination with other providers can be arranged with your consent. Dr. Araujo may provide short psychotherapy sessions but primarily focuses on medication management.

Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach exploring unconscious patterns, early experiences, and emotional conflicts to promote insight and lasting change.

This means Dr. Araujo uses psychoanalytic techniques to fully understand and relate to you as a patient, expanding on more conventional approaches. Traditional psychoanalysis is not performed.

Psychoanalysis explores unconscious processes in depth, while psychotherapy focuses on emotional and behavioral concerns more directly. Dr. Araujo integrates principles from both in his approach.

Yes, second opinions are available to clarify diagnoses or treatment plans and provide additional guidance for your mental health care.

The need for tests will be discussed depending on your case. Many patients do not require additional testing, but others may benefit from extra evaluation or monitoring.

Evidence-based treatment means care is guided by scientific research and proven methods. Dr. Araujo, an MD and PhD, will inform you of available approaches while working with you to establish a personalized plan.

Dr. Araujo treats a wide range of adult mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD and related disorders, trauma-related disorders (PTSD), psychotic disorders, personality disorders, adult ADHD, substance-related disorders, sleep and somatic disorders, and other adult psychiatric concerns. He provides personalized evaluation and treatment plans, including therapy, medication management, or both.

Sessions are conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

You will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection. A quiet, private space is recommended.

Sessions are not recorded without your consent. With your permission, relevant information can be shared with other providers for coordinated care.

You can see detailed pricing on the “Services and Fees” page for each type of session.

Yes. Dr. Araujo offers a sliding scale based on income or financial difficulties. Please use the contact form to arrange a call to discuss your rate.

You will receive a secure text message from Ivy prior to your appointment with instructions to complete payment.

New patients are requested to pay a $100 deposit prior to their first appointment. This deposit is refundable if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, but not if proper notice is not given. The deposit will be applied toward your session fee.

Insurance coverage varies. If self-paying, we provide clear guidance on rates and payment options.

There are many reasons psychiatrists may not accept insurance. Dr. Araujo does not accept insurance because he spends longer time with his patients, which is not fairly compensated by most insurance plans. This allows him to provide thorough, personalized care.

If you experience a psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. You may also contact your local crisis line for urgent concerns.

Dr. Araujo speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently, and appointments can be conducted in any of these languages. Please contact us to discuss other language accommodations if needed.