
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Jacksonville’s Trusted Integrative Psychiatry Practice
FAQs
If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly. We’re here to help!
General Information
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Locally-owned
Our practice is locally owned and led by our supervising physician, Dr. Sagar Vijapura, MD, ensuring that patient care - not corporate profits - always comes first. Unlike large, corporate-owned psychiatry clinics, we prioritize a highly personalized approach with an unwavering commitment to ethical standards.Expert leadership
Unlike practices operated solely by advanced practice providers (APPs), our clinic includes the involvement of a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who is actively engaged in collaborative clinical oversight. This model ensures our patients benefit from high-level expertise, evidence-based treatment, and compassionate care — with medical decision-making that remains patient-centered and provider-led.Whole-Person, Evidenced-Based: Our approach goes far beyond medication management and includes psychotherapy, nutrition and supplements, sleep hygiene, mindfulness techniques, exercise, and more.
Accessible and Affordable Care
By operating in-network with most major insurance plans, we are dedicated to making expert psychiatric care within reach.
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Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who has completed medical school, followed by 4 years of specialized training in psychiatry through a residency program. Dr. Sagar Vijapura MD, the supervising psychiatrist at Vijapura Psychiatry, completed his psychiatry residency at the top-ranked, prestigious Harvard Longwood Residency Program. Psychiatrists are fully licensed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide therapy. THeir extensive training allows them to manage complex psychiatric cases, including those requiring multiple medications or specialized treatments.
Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider (APP) - This includes nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) with specialized training in mental health care. While APPs can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and provide treatment, their training is shorter and less extensive than that of a psychiatrist. They typically work under the supervision of a psychiatrist, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care. At Vijapura Psychiatry, all APPs have full access to Dr. Vijapura at all times. He routinely meets with each APP to review their caseload, answer questions, and direct clinical care. By structuring the practice in this way, we can extend our reach in the community, ensuring prompt and affordable access to care without sacrificing quality.
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We provide comprehensive psychiatric care, including medication management, functional nutritional testing, integrated brief psychotherapy, and lifestyle counseling. Our integrative approach emphasizes evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual’s needs.
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We believe Integrative Psychiatry is good Psychiatry!
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We treat adults experiencing conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. We also support individuals seeking a balanced, integrative approach to mental wellness.
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While both psychiatrists and psychologists specialize in mental health, their training and roles differ:
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide other medical treatments. They often focus on managing mental health conditions through a combination of medication and therapy.
Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology and specialize in psychotherapy, psychological testing, and behavioral interventions. They do not prescribe medications (except in some states with additional certification).
At Vijapura Psychiatry our interdisciplinary team includes psychiatrists and other highly trained providers who collaborate to deliver comprehensive care tailored to your needs. If you're unsure which provider is right for you, contact us, and we’ll guide you through the process.
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Primary Care Physicians (PCPs):
PCPs complete medical school and residency training in internal medicine or family medicine.
Their focus is broad, covering a wide range of medical conditions, which may limit their depth of expertise in psychiatry.
Psychiatrists:
Psychiatrists complete medical school, followed by a 4-year residency focused exclusively on psychiatry. They receive in-depth training in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and interventional psychiatry.
In short, while PCPs are an essential first point of contact for mental health concerns, psychiatrists have specialized training and expertise to manage psychiatric conditions and provide a wider variety of treatments.
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At Vijapura Psychiatry, we integrate therapy principles such as CBT, motivational interviewing, and supportive therapy into each visit. While we do not offer weekly stand-alone psychotherapy, our extended follow-up visits (25 minutes) include meaningful therapeutic support as part of your overall care.
If you’re seeking ongoing weekly therapy, we have a large network of trusted therapists in the community. Over the past three decades, we’ve built collaborative relationships with providers across a range of specialties. We’re able to make personalized recommendations based on your clinical needs, insurance, and preferences—ensuring you find the right therapeutic fit.
Appointments and Scheduling
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While Dr. Sagar Vijapura founded and oversees the practice, he is not currently accepting new patients. Your care will be provided by one of our independently contracted psychiatric nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Each of our clinicians is board-certified and has extensive experience in mental health care. Dr. Vijapura serves as the supervising physician and provides clinical oversight in accordance with Florida law.
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You can request an appointment by completing our secure online New Patient Intake Form.
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Yes! We offer telehealth services, through a HIPAA compliant platform (Zoom Workplace), for eligible patients to provide convenient access to care from the comfort of your home.
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Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a late-cancellation fee. No-show fees also apply. These fees are not covered by insurance.
Insurance and Payment
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We are in-network with the following carriers:
Aetna (PPO only)
All Savers
Blue Cross Blue Shield / Florida Blue
Cigna
Mayo Clinic Medical Plan
Meritain
United Healthcare/Optum Health
VA Community Care Network
If your plan is not listed, contact us to discuss out-of-network options or view our "Good Faith Estimate".
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Yes, we can submit an out-of-network claim on your behalf after your visit. Reimbursement depends on your plan.
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We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.
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For all billing-related questions, email Gary Sandoval at billing@vijapura.com or complete our HIPAA-secured Billing Inquiry Form.
Treatment Approach
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Integrative psychiatry is a holistic approach to mental health care that combines traditional treatments like medications with evidenced-based complementary approaches such as psychotherapy, mind-body medicine, nutritional optimization, and lifestyle modifications to address the whole person—mind, body, and environment. Learn more about our unique approach.
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Not necessarily. Our approach focuses on using the safest, lowest-dose medications when appropriate, alongside non-medication treatments like therapy, exercise, light therapy, nature therapy, mindfulness, and nutrition counseling.
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Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a late-cancellation fee. No-show fees also apply. These fees are not covered by insurance.
Getting Started
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Nothing! Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
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Schedule a consultation with one of our providers. We’ll assess your needs and goals to create a personalized plan that fits you. Click here to learn more.
Other Questions
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Missed appointments and late cancellations (<24 hours’ notice) incur a fee, which is not covered by insurance.
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Yes, we work with a network of healthcare providers and can assist with referrals for specialized care if needed.
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Emergencies (e.g., suicidal ideation)
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.Urgent Clinical Issues (e.g., medication side effects)
Contact the on-call clinician by following the prompts on our main office answering machine.Routine Matters
Leave a voicemail message, and it will be reviewed on the following business day.
Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Please don’t hesitate to seek immediate care in an emergency situation.
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We do not perform evaluations for permanent disability, workers' compensation, or fitness for duty. Our focus is on providing personalized, comprehensive psychiatric care to support your mental health and overall well-being.