Clear, honest answers about psychiatric care, insurance, telehealth, and what to expect at Victory Village
No confusing jargon, no evasive answers. If you have a question not covered here, please reach out directly — we're always happy to help.
A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has completed specialized graduate education and national board certification in psychiatric mental health care. PMHNPs can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medications, and provide psychoeducation — very similar to what a psychiatrist does.
The key difference is in the clinical philosophy. Victoria's 30+ years of hands-on nursing experience across diverse settings — nursing homes, correctional facilities, HIV clinics, crisis units, and psychosis wards — gives her a uniquely holistic, patient-centered perspective that complements the advanced clinical training of her PMHNP-BC credential.
No referral is required. You can contact us directly to schedule your initial psychiatric evaluation. We believe barriers to mental health care should be as low as possible — so we've made it easy to reach out. Simply call, email, or fill out our online contact form and we will connect you with an appointment.
Victory Village accepts 12+ major insurance plans, including Highmark BCBS of Delaware, AmeriHealth, Ambetter Health, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna HealthCare, Delaware First Health, WellCare, Highmark Health Options, MultiPlan/PHCS PPO, and TRICARE. Before your first appointment, our team will verify your mental health benefits directly with your insurance company so you have no surprises. View our full insurance page for details.
The Initial Psychiatric Evaluation at Victory Village typically runs 60–90 minutes. This is intentional. Victoria believes that taking the time to truly understand your full story — medical history, psychiatric history, family history, medications, lifestyle, and personal goals — from the very start leads to dramatically better outcomes than the rushed 15-minute intakes that are unfortunately common in modern psychiatry. You will not be hurried.
Yes — all services at Victory Village are available via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth for patients in Delaware and Maryland. Telehealth has consistently delivered the same quality of care as in-person appointments. It removes barriers of travel, scheduling, and stigma, and is especially helpful for patients with social anxiety, mobility challenges, busy schedules, or those living in rural areas. You can also switch between telehealth and in-person based on your preference.
Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. We understand that mental health needs can be urgent, and we make every effort to see new patients as quickly as possible. If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. For all other needs, contact us and we will find the earliest possible appointment for you.
Not necessarily. Medication is one tool in the treatment toolkit — not an automatic outcome of your appointment. Victoria takes a thorough, root-cause approach. She investigates medical contributors (like thyroid dysfunction or vitamin deficiencies), lifestyle factors, and psychosocial stressors before determining whether medication is appropriate and warranted. When medication is prescribed, it is always explained clearly — including its purpose, expected timeline, potential side effects, and alternatives.
Victory Village primarily serves adults (18 and over). If you have questions about specific age ranges or special circumstances, please contact us — we are happy to discuss your situation and help connect you with appropriate resources if we are not the right fit.
For your initial evaluation, it is helpful to have: a list of current medications (with dosages), any previous psychiatric diagnoses or treatment records if available, your insurance card and ID, and a sense of what challenges are bringing you in — though you don't need to prepare a formal statement. Victoria will guide the conversation and make sure everything relevant is covered. The most important thing to bring is yourself — exactly as you are.
Therapy (talk therapy) and psychiatric care are complementary, not competing. Therapy helps you process emotions, develop coping skills, and work through patterns of thought and behavior. Psychiatric care focuses on diagnosis, medication management when appropriate, and the medical side of mental health. If your symptoms are significantly interfering with daily functioning, if you've been struggling for an extended period, or if previous therapy hasn't produced adequate relief, a psychiatric evaluation is a logical next step. Victoria can also coordinate with your therapist to ensure integrated care.
I was nervous about seeking help for the first time. Victoria made me feel completely at ease from the very first moment. She explained everything clearly, answered every question, and built a treatment plan I actually understood and believed in.
The telehealth option was a lifesaver for me. I attend appointments from home, which removes so much anxiety. Victoria is incredibly knowledgeable, and I always feel like a person — not a number.
Getting a same-day appointment when I was at my worst was something I didn't think was possible. The care was thorough, compassionate, and completely changed my outlook.