Psychiatric Clearance for DBS and VNS — in 48 Hours
Telehealth pre-implant psychiatric evaluation for deep brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) candidates — PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-C, and DAST-10, plus a cognitive and decisional-capacity screen and expectation alignment. Signed report delivered to the neuromodulation team within two business days.
For patients and neuromodulation teams
Two ways in
Book a clearance visit
If your neurosurgery or neuromodulation team has asked for a pre-implant psychiatric clearance, book a telehealth visit. You'll complete secure intake and screening tools beforehand, and a signed report goes to your team within two business days.
Book a visitRefer a patient
Send DBS or VNS candidates for standardized pre-implant psychiatric clearance. Every report includes mood and substance-use measures, cognitive and capacity observations, expectation alignment, and a candidacy impression — with a formal neuropsychological referral when indicated.
Refer a patientWhy this evaluation matters
DBS and VNS candidacy hinges on more than the primary indication. Mood disorders, cognitive status, caregiver support, expectation alignment, and the ability to tolerate and manage a device all influence outcomes. A standardized pre-implant psychiatric evaluation gives the neuromodulation team a clear candidacy picture, documents the baseline against which post-implant changes can be measured, and meets payer and manufacturer expectations.
DBS/VNS-specific screens
- PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Validated depression and anxiety screening — universal to every AlviPsych clearance.
- AUDIT-C and DAST-10. Validated alcohol and drug-use screening — universal to every AlviPsych clearance.
- Cognitive & decisional-capacity screen. Orientation, attention, insight, and capacity to consent, with a recommendation for formal neuropsychological testing when a full battery is indicated.
- Neuromodulation expectation alignment. Realistic understanding of response trajectory, programming-driven titration, and how outcomes will be measured over time.
- Caregiver & programming support review. Caregiver availability for programming visits, symptom tracking, and post-op recovery.
- Psychiatric history & treatment review. Prior diagnoses, medication trials, prior procedures, and response patterns relevant to the proposed implant.
How it works
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Book
Patient scans the QR code or books at alvipsych.com/book.
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Secure intake
Consent, HIPAA, and assessment forms completed online before the visit.
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Virtual evaluation
Conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist over secure video.
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Report within 48 hours
Signed clearance letter and structured report delivered to the neuromodulation team and patient.
What's in the report
- Candidacy impression — favorable, conditional, or unfavorable.
- Summary of validated screener results: PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-C, and DAST-10.
- Psychiatric diagnoses and relevant treatment history.
- Cognitive and capacity observations from the clinical interview.
- Expectation-alignment summary.
- Caregiver and support-system assessment.
- Any conditions that should be addressed before implant — including referral for formal neuropsychological testing when indicated.
- Signed, licensed, and dated — formatted for neurosurgery, neurology, and payer review.
Who it's for
This evaluation is for patients pursuing:
- DBS for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, or dystonia
- DBS for OCD or treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- VNS for drug-resistant epilepsy
- VNS for treatment-resistant depression
- Revision, replacement, or re-evaluation for existing DBS or VNS devices
Pricing
- Secure intake and assessment forms
- Virtual evaluation with a board-certified psychiatrist
- DBS/VNS-specific screens (cognitive & decisional-capacity screen, neuromodulation expectation alignment, caregiver support review), PHQ-9 and GAD-7 (mood), AUDIT-C and DAST-10 (substance use)
- Signed clearance letter
- Structured report delivered to the neuromodulation team
Ready to move a DBS or VNS clearance forward?
Patients can book a virtual visit in under two minutes. Neuromodulation teams and coordinators can send cases directly through the referral page.
