Questions Families Ask

Yellow House Behavioral Health is a telehealth psychiatric practice in California led by Anne Rossell, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has specialized in adolescent and young adult psychiatry since 2012. The practice provides psychiatric evaluation, diagnostic clarification, ADHD evaluation, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, and medication management for adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 25 throughout California. The practice is based in Santa Cruz, California, and serves patients statewide via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth. Phone: (831) 400-3848.

Yellow House serves adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 25. If you are unsure whether your child's age is a fit, call (831) 400-3848 or email us before scheduling.

Yellow House Behavioral Health is based in Santa Cruz, California. All appointments are conducted via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth for patients who are physically located in California at the time of the visit. We serve families throughout California including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, the Central Coast, and communities statewide.

No. Yellow House provides outpatient telehealth psychiatric care and is not equipped for emergency or crisis care. If you or your child are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency department.

Anger and irritability can be part of normal adolescence, but persistent or intense anger may also occur with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, sleep problems, substance use, family stress, or mood disorders. If your teenager is angry much of the time, having frequent outbursts, or their behavior has changed significantly, a psychiatric evaluation can help clarify what is driving the change.

Sleeping all day, low motivation, withdrawing from activities, declining grades, or not wanting to do anything can sometimes reflect depression, anxiety, ADHD, sleep disruption, burnout, substance use, or another underlying issue. A single symptom does not establish a diagnosis, but a meaningful change in functioning is worth paying attention to.

Some teenagers naturally want more privacy, but a sudden increase in isolation can be a sign that something has changed. Depression, anxiety, social stress, bullying, ADHD-related overwhelm, substance use, and other mental health concerns can all lead a teenager to withdraw. The pattern matters more than any one behavior.

Changes in hygiene can happen for many reasons. When a teenager stops showering, brushing their teeth, changing clothes, or keeping up with basic self-care and this is a change from their usual behavior, it can sometimes accompany depression, executive functioning problems, anxiety, sensory issues, substance use, or significant emotional overwhelm.

A noticeable change in mood, personality, sleep, school performance, friendships, motivation, appetite, or behavior can have many possible causes. The goal of a psychiatric evaluation is not to assume a diagnosis, but to look at the full pattern and determine whether anxiety, depression, ADHD, a mood disorder, substance use, stress, sleep problems, or something else may be contributing.

Teenage behavior problems can include arguing, irritability, rule-breaking, school problems, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, or a sudden drop in motivation. What matters is the intensity, duration, change from baseline, and impact on school, friendships, family life, and safety. A psychiatric evaluation can help distinguish normal developmental behavior from symptoms that may benefit from treatment.

Changes in sleep, motivation, grades, friends, appetite, mood, spending, secrecy, or behavior can sometimes occur with substance use, but none of these signs proves that a teenager is using marijuana or another substance. A careful psychiatric assessment can include substance use screening and help determine whether substance use may be contributing to changes in mood, attention, anxiety, or functioning.

Yes. Yellow House provides ADHD evaluations for teenagers and young adults throughout California. The evaluation includes a careful review of attention, focus, executive functioning, school and work performance, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, sleep, trauma history, prior diagnoses, and prior treatment. ADHD testing for teens is most useful when the assessment also considers other conditions that can look like ADHD.

ADHD symptoms in teenagers may include trouble focusing, procrastination, forgetting assignments, losing things, poor time management, difficulty starting or finishing work, impulsivity, emotional reactivity, restlessness, and inconsistent school performance. Some teens with ADHD are not outwardly hyperactive and may instead look overwhelmed, unmotivated, anxious, or disorganized.

Trouble focusing does not automatically mean ADHD. Anxiety, depression, poor sleep, trauma, learning difficulties, substance use, stress, and mood disorders can all affect concentration. Diagnostic clarification is especially important before starting ADHD medication because treatment depends on what is actually driving the symptoms.

Yellow House provides ADHD medication evaluation and medication management for patients ages 10 to 25 when ADHD is supported by a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. Treatment may include stimulant or non-stimulant ADHD medication depending on the diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, prior treatment, side effects, and individual needs.

There is no single best ADHD medication for every teenager. Stimulants and non-stimulant medications have different benefits, duration, side effects, and clinical considerations. The best choice depends on the teen's diagnosis, symptoms, sleep, appetite, anxiety, mood, medical history, family history, school schedule, and prior medication response.

Qualified psychiatric prescribers can evaluate ADHD and prescribe ADHD medication when appropriate. Anne Rossell, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner licensed in California with an active DEA registration. She can evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe Schedule II stimulant medications and non-stimulant ADHD medications when clinically appropriate.

Yes. Anxiety can cause poor concentration, restlessness, avoidance, irritability, sleep problems, and school difficulty that looks very similar to ADHD. Sometimes a teen appears to have ADHD when anxiety is the primary driver. Careful evaluation helps determine what is actually contributing before medication decisions are made.

Yes. Untreated ADHD can lead to overwhelm, low confidence, procrastination, emotional reactivity, school stress, and avoidance. Some adolescents develop real secondary anxiety or depression because they have been working harder than their peers just to keep up. Comprehensive evaluation separates these causes so treatment can target the right problem.

Signs of depression in teens can include sadness, irritability, sleeping much more or less than usual, low motivation, loss of interest, withdrawal from friends or family, declining grades, appetite changes, hopelessness, poor concentration, or not wanting to do things they previously enjoyed. Teenage depression does not always look like obvious sadness, which is why a change in functioning can be important.

Look for a sustained change from your teenager's usual baseline. Sleeping all day, isolating, losing motivation, becoming unusually angry or irritable, quitting activities, struggling academically, or seeming like they do not care about anything can all occur with depression. A psychiatric evaluation can help determine whether these changes represent depression or another condition with overlapping symptoms.

Yellow House provides psychiatric evaluation, diagnostic clarification, and medication management for teenage depression and depression in young adults. Treatment planning may include coordination with the teen's therapist, recommendations about sleep and daily functioning, medication when appropriate, and ongoing monitoring of symptoms, side effects, safety, and response to treatment.

Several antidepressant medications may be considered for adolescent depression depending on the diagnosis, age, symptom pattern, medical history, prior treatment, side effects, and other clinical factors. Medication decisions should follow a full psychiatric evaluation rather than choosing a medication based only on symptoms or online recommendations.

There is no single safest or best antidepressant for every teenager. The appropriate medication depends on the diagnosis, age, severity of symptoms, anxiety, sleep, appetite, family history, prior response, other medications, and potential side effects. Yellow House reviews these factors carefully before recommending depression medication for a teenager.

Psychiatric prescribers including psychiatrists and qualified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can prescribe antidepressants for teenagers when clinically appropriate. Yellow House provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 25 throughout California.

Yes. Yellow House evaluates and treats anxiety in teenagers and young adults throughout California, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety, health anxiety, and anxiety-driven school avoidance. Treatment may include therapy coordination, lifestyle recommendations, and anxiety medication when appropriate.

Anxiety in teenagers often does not look like obvious worry. It can show up as avoidance, irritability, school refusal, frequent stomachaches or headaches, trouble sleeping, perfectionism, reassurance-seeking, panic attacks, or difficulty separating from parents. Poor concentration and restlessness are also common, which is why anxiety is frequently mistaken for ADHD.

The right treatment depends on the type and severity of anxiety and what else may be contributing. Therapy is often an important part of treatment, and medication may be considered when symptoms are significantly affecting school, sleep, relationships, or daily functioning. A psychiatric evaluation can help determine whether anxiety medication is appropriate and which options make sense for your teenager.

Diagnostic clarification means taking time to understand which diagnosis best explains the symptoms and which conditions may be overlapping. This matters because ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep problems, substance use, and mood disorders can look similar in adolescents but may require very different treatment approaches and medication decisions.

Possibly. Many adolescent mental health symptoms overlap. Irritability, poor concentration, low motivation, sleep changes, impulsivity, withdrawal, school problems, and emotional outbursts can appear in ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, substance use, and mood disorders. The purpose of diagnostic clarification is to understand the pattern before deciding on treatment.

Medication decisions depend on what is driving the symptoms. A teen who looks unfocused because of anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep disruption, ADHD, or mood instability may need a very different treatment approach. The goal is the right diagnosis, the right medication when needed, the right dose, and a complete treatment plan.

A medication evaluation may be helpful when therapy is in place but symptoms remain significant, when progress has plateaued, when school or family functioning is affected, or when there are questions about ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood changes, or whether a current medication is helping. You can also reach out simply because something feels off and you want a clear picture.

Not every teenager who is struggling needs medication. The decision depends on the diagnosis, severity and duration of symptoms, impact on functioning, therapy progress, safety concerns, medical history, and the teenager's preferences. A psychiatric evaluation can help a family decide whether medication is appropriate or whether another approach makes more sense.

Yes. Yellow House provides psychiatric second opinions for families who are unsure whether a current diagnosis, medication, dose, or treatment plan still fits. This is especially helpful when symptoms are not improving, when medication side effects are significant, or when you want a fresh clinical perspective.

Many adolescents come to Yellow House already taking psychiatric medication. The initial evaluation includes a careful review of current medications, prior medication trials, benefits, side effects, the underlying diagnosis, and whether the current plan still makes clinical sense.

Medication should never feel forced. Treatment decisions at Yellow House are collaborative and adolescents need to understand the reason for any recommendation and have a voice in the plan. Sometimes the right first step is education, therapy coordination, monitoring, or gathering more information before any medication decision.

The first appointment is a 60-minute telehealth visit covering history, current symptoms, prior diagnoses, medication history, therapy history, school and work functioning, family concerns, strengths, safety, and treatment goals. The purpose is to understand the full clinical picture before making any recommendations. Cost: $450.

Yes. A parent or guardian must attend the initial evaluation for minors. Parents provide important history, help clarify symptoms, and give consent for treatment. Adolescents are also given space to speak openly and participate in the plan.

That is often a good fit. Yellow House is designed to work alongside therapists and other providers. Many families seek psychiatric evaluation when therapy has helped but something still feels unresolved, or when medication questions have come up. Yellow House coordinates with your child's therapist when appropriate.

In most cases, therapy should be in place before or alongside medication management. Medication is rarely the only component of effective treatment. Therapy helps adolescents build coping skills, self-understanding, and long-term resilience that medication alone cannot provide. If your child is not currently in therapy, Yellow House can help identify appropriate referrals.

At Yellow House Behavioral Health, the initial 60-minute psychiatric evaluation is $450. Follow-up medication management appointments are 30 minutes and cost $225. Payment is due at the time of service. A superbill is provided after each appointment for families pursuing out-of-network insurance reimbursement.

Yellow House Behavioral Health is a private pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. A superbill is provided after each appointment for families who wish to submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Many PPO insurance plans reimburse a portion of out-of-network psychiatric care. We encourage families to contact their insurance to ask about out-of-network mental health benefits before scheduling.

A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes diagnostic codes, procedure codes, and provider information. Families submit the superbill directly to their insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. The amount reimbursed depends on your specific plan and out-of-network benefits.

Yes. All appointments at Yellow House are conducted via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth for patients who are physically located in California at the time of the visit. The platform is accessible by phone, tablet, or computer. No travel is required.

Yes. Yellow House provides telehealth psychiatric care for patients throughout California, including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Monterey, the Central Coast, and communities statewide. Patients must be physically located in California at the time of the appointment.

Yes. A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is a specially trained advanced practice nurse who can evaluate psychiatric symptoms, diagnose mental health conditions, and prescribe psychiatric medications including controlled substances when appropriate. Anne Rossell, PMHNP-BC, holds board certification from the ANCC and an active DEA registration in California.

A psychiatric evaluation, like those provided at Yellow House, is conducted by a psychiatric provider and focuses on diagnosis, medications, and psychiatric treatment planning. A psychological evaluation is typically conducted by a psychologist and includes cognitive and neuropsychological testing. Both can be valuable but they answer different clinical questions. Yellow House provides psychiatric evaluations, not psychological or neuropsychological testing.