Frequently Asked Questions
Many common questions are answered below. If you still have questions, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly staff.
If you’re in crisis and need immediate help, call COPES
918.744.4800
Inpatient Treatment: Parkside Psychiatric Hospital
918.588.8888
Inpatient Treatment: Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
918.481.4000
Telemedicine Provider Links

Chariny Herring, DO
Child & Adolescent and General Psychiatry

Ashley Wigington
APRN, PMHNP-BC

Sarah Horton
APRN, CNP

Lyndsey Jones
APRN, PMHNP-BC

Vaden Danielson
PA-C

Faith Miller
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling, and/or behavior. A psychiatrist uses knowledge and experience from roughly a decade of medical and specialty training to formulate an assessment and diagnosis based on the biological, psychological, and social components of each individual. A psychiatrist can order labs or other medical studies to assist in the diagnostic process and can treat symptoms with both talk therapy and medication.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a therapist?
At Tulsa Family Psychiatry & Wellness, we are fully supportive of all mental health disciplines and often work collaboratively with psychologists, therapists and other mental health care providers to optimize patient care.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who, after completing four years of medical school, has completed four additional years of specialty training through a residency program in psychiatry (5 additional years for child and adolescent psychiatry). A psychiatrist is extensively trained in psychotherapy (talk therapy) & psychopharmacology (treatment through psychiatric medication). The training also includes several months of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Neurology to provide a comprehensive education in the specialties which overlap with psychiatry. In the state of Oklahoma, a psychiatrist has the authority to prescribe medications to patients, but a psychologist or therapist cannot.
A psychologist has studied psychology in college and graduate school. Most licensed psychologists hold a doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). A therapist or counselor has studied either psychology or social work in college and graduate school. Most hold a master’s degree in their field and are licensed to do talk therapy. (L.P.C., L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T)
How do I know if I need to see a psychiatrist?
If an individual is experiencing difficulties with mood or behavior on a frequent basis over an extended period of time which is causing disruption in functionality, a psychiatrist may be able to help.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Problems interacting with others
- Inability to meet daily demands
- Aggressive behavior
- Frequent physical complaints
- Hyperactivity
- Poor focus or attention
- Frequent outbursts or tantrums
- Sad mood
- Self-harming behaviors
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Frequent mood changes, or strange thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors
Do you take my insurance?
We accept these insurance plans:
- BlueCross BlueShield*
- BlueTraditional POS
- BlueChoice POS
- BluePreferred
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Lincs
- Native Blue
- CommunityCare
- HealthChoice
- UnitedHealthcare
- UMR
- SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid)
*We do not participate with BCBS EPP
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Understandably, everyone has unexpected schedule changes. With more than 24 hours notice, our office will try to accommodate your schedule to the best of our ability.
However, if you need to cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours notice, you will be financially responsible for the full appointment fee. Insurance companies do not cover charges for missed appointments, so the patient must fully assume that financial responsibility.
More than 2 last minute cancellations (less than 24 hour notice), or no-show appointments in a calendar year could lead to dismissal from the practice and subsequent referral to another provider.
How do I reach my provider outside of my appointment?
It is best for patient care if our providers are able to handle questions during face to face time in session. If questions arise outside of this time, patients are encouraged to access the patient portal to securely communicate with their provider. Your provider will respond to inquiries within 24-48 hours. If there is an emergent or life-threatening issue, please seek help from the nearest emergency service provider.
What kind of problems do you treat?
Our providers are qualified to diagnose and treat multiple behavioral, emotional, and developmental problems.
These include but are not limited to:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD)
- Anxiety disorders (separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Mood disorders (major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, cyclothymia)
- Psychotic disorders
What types of patient do you treat?
Tulsa Family Psychiatry is focused on providing psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adults between the ages of 5-55 years old.
Patients outside of these age ranges will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How do I schedule an appointent?
We use a Patient Portal by Charm Health to provide new patient paperwork and schedule follow up appointments.
Call 918.268.9578 to make your first appointment and you will receive an email to sign in to the Charm Portal. You will then be able to request appointments, make payments, request medication refills, and see your medical records.
How do I pay for my appointment?
Fees are due at the beginning of each visit, and all payments should be made via credit card. If balances exist after your claim is processed by insurance, our office will bill your card the remaining balance and provide you with a statement.
It is recommended that you have a credit card on file to keep your account up to date.
What if my insurance is not listed?
If your insurance is not listed and you have Out-of-Network (OON) benefits, our office will provide you with appropriate documentation to file a claim with your insurance company. You will be financially responsible for whatever your insurance does not pay.
Is Dr. Herring availble for legal cases such as custody and divorce?
Dr. Herring prefers not to engage in patient’s legal matters which takes her away from providing care in the office. If Dr. Herring is legally requested or required to attend or participate in legal hearings, the professional fee will be a minimum of $500/ hour to cover expenses and time away from the office.
If medication is recommended, will it change my personality?
No, medication will not change your personality. Psychiatric medications, when prescribed judiciously and with care, have the power to improve the lives of those suffering from mental disorders.
Using the lowest effective dose of psychiatric medication, tailored specifically to each patient’s individual need is the goal. Often, medication works best with talk therapy.
How do I get refills on medications?
Medication changes and refills are best managed during the face to face appointment time with your provider. Efforts will be made to provide enough refills to last between appointments. Medication refills may not be granted if an appointment is past due and appropriate follow up is lacking. Medication refills are not managed after hours or on weekends when the office is closed. All refill requests can be requested through the Patient Portal.
To request a medication refill, Click here once logged In, click “medications”, find the medication you are requesting a refill on and click “Refill Request”. A window will appear allowing you to enter additional comments which your provider will see.
Although you are probably familiar with the process of requesting a refill though your pharmacy, often they have been known to send automatic requests for medications to be refilled even when you have not requested a refill. To combat against this, we do not respond to automated refill requests from pharmacies.
Please allow up to 48 working hours for medication refills to be processed.Working hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays.
Refills on scheduled medications will not be provided if a follow up appointment has not been scheduled.
How Do I Get Started?
Give us a call
Our office staff is happy to answer questions before your appointment and get you connected to our patient portal.
918.268.9578
Book Appointment
Schedule an appoitment with Dr. Herring and create a personal plan for your health.
Check-in Online
Using our patient portal, you will be able fill out patient forms and check in online from the comfort of your home computer or smart phone.
Contact Us
Ask a question or request an appointment below.
For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest emergency medical provider.

Tulsa Family Psychiatry & Wellness
2526 E 71st St. Suite J
Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: 918.268.9578
Fax: 918.471.2854