I am not what happened to me.
I am what I choose to become.
CARL JUNG
WELCOME
I am Dr. Celine Hamilton, a board-certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist, and a board-certified Pediatrician. I graduated from the Triple Board residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City.
I have worked with thousands of children over the past 20 years, from newborn to college age, from healthy children meeting their developmental milestones to children hospitalized with severe medical or mental health crises, and everything in between.
My goal is to work with you and your family to identify the best path forward with a comprehensive evaluation, collaborative planning, and evidence-based treatment.
EXPERIENCE
2019-2024 Medical Director of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry unit, Florida
2011-2018 Medication management for children and adolescents at the River Valley Behavioral Health Community Mental Health Center, Kentucky.
2010-2011 Treated adolescents with eating disorders at the Remuda Ranch residential treatment center, Arizona.
EDUCATION
Advanced Training Candidate in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis, Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute, 2023-present.
Triple Board Residency in Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 2010.
Medical Doctor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 2005.
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 2013.
Adult Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2011.
Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, 2009.
AFFILIATIONS
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Psychoanalytic Association
Association for Child Psychoanalysis
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SERVICES
COMPLEMENTARY 15-MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION
During the complementary 15-minute phone consultation we will review your reasons for seeking my services. At that time, we will make a preliminary determination regarding whether my practice is a good fit for your needs; if so, your initial consultation will be tentatively scheduled. You will be provided with a log-in for my Patient Portal, and I will ask that you complete a set of intake forms through the portal within 24 hours of our phone consultation. Completion of the intake forms will act as confirmation of our appointment. If you do not complete the intake forms within 24 hours of our phone consultation, your appointment will be considered cancelled.
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT CONSULTATION
FOR TREATMENT
The consultation for children and adolescents consists of four 45-minute appointments: two with parents or guardians, and two with the child or adolescent (additional sessions may be warranted if there are multiple caregivers). The evaluation will cover an evaluation of the medical, developmental, and psychosocial history of the child from pregnancy through the present, but also of the parent(s), stepparents, grandparents or guardians raising the child, who have all been exposed to a range of parenting styles, and who have their own medical and mental health contributions. The psychiatric treatment modalities the family has tried, including types of therapy and/or medication, and an assessment of what has proved effective for the child/adolescent, will be reviewed. The patient's educational history, including a review of any testing history, and communication with the school, if necessary. I will also review any screening questionnaires I have requested based on the initial 15-minute evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, I will meet with the parent (and child/adolescent, if appropriate and the family wishes), to discuss the treatment recommendation. At this juncture, we will decide together whether my practice is a good fit for your needs. If we decide to move forward, we will create a treatment plan together and complete the necessary paperwork to enter into treatment.
ADULT CONSULTATION FOR TREATMENT
The evaluation for adults is very similar to the evaluation of younger patients. Typically, there is a lot for me to learn in order to best know how to help you, so evaluations take place over several sessions. We will discuss what brings you to treatment at this time in your life, and explore your experiences in the realms of relationships, work and family. Because early life experiences provide the foundation of the adult personality structure, I will take into consideration your childhood experiences, education and family relationships. I will also take into consideration the medical and psychiatric history of you and your family. Additional appointments can be added to include a partner or close family member if you would like. I will review your previous psychiatric treatments, if any, including types of therapy and/or medication, and assess what has proved effective. At this juncture, we will decide together whether my practice is a good fit for your needs. If we decide to move forward, we will create a treatment plan together and complete the necessary paperwork to enter into treatment.
CONSULTATION FOR A SECOND OPINION
If you are already working with a mental health provider but desire a second opinion, or if you have been required by a third party to receive an evaluation, please be prepared to share any relevant details with me during our exploratory phone consultation. I make decisions about providing these types of consultations on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that additional fees may apply for any time spent preparing reports or other paperwork, apart from the usual medical record, related to the consultation.
TREATMENT MODALITIES
PSYCHOANALYSIS
I am currently a candidate in training in psychoanalysis with the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute, in both child and adult psychoanalysis. As I am a candidate, I have close consultation with a senior analyst for any patient I see for psychoanalysis. Fees for psychoanalysis are more flexible. Psychoanalysis is a deep, individualized form of talk therapy—some say it is ‘The ultimate in personalized medicine.’ Much of our mental life operates outside of our conscious awareness, but profoundly influences our behavior and mental health. Psychoanalysis helps us bring our long-hidden ideas, desires, memories and unconscious motivations to our awareness. We begin to understand the “why” behind our thoughts and actions. With this understanding, we can examine problematic patterns of behavior and make different choices in how we confront life’s difficulties. Psychoanalysis is four times a week and is a good choice for someone who is deeply introspective. Patients often choose psychoanalysis when many other treatments have failed.
PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychodynamic psychotherapy, like psychoanalysis, is an individualized form of talk therapy with sessions from 1-3 times a week. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, we gain insight into how our thoughts, feelings, and memories affect our behavior. We may discover that ways of being from our past no longer serve us in the present, and, together, we will identify new ways to address old problems. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a good choice for someone who can be self-reflective (think about their own thoughts, actions and feelings), and who wants to gain insight into themself.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
If medications are part of your treatment plan, we will focus on finding the safest and most effective regimen to meet your needs. All patients who are on medication must be in therapy with me or with another licensed professional with whom I have written consent to collaborate. I do not typically order or rely on genetic studies, as they do not evaluate whether medication will alleviate psychiatric symptoms, only how quickly or slowly your body processes medications. However, I am happy to review them if you have obtained them, or consider them if you have had multiple medication failures. Please be aware insurance does not always cover this testing.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
After many years as Medical Director of the inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry unit of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, I am familiar with high acuity, complex psychiatric cases. My areas of specialization include:
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Depression
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Anxiety spectrum disorders (OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia)
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ADHD and disorders of impulsivity and mood dysregulation
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Psychotic spectrum disorders
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Bipolar Disorder
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
The fee for a 45-minute appointment is $400. I accept Zelle, Venmo, check, credit card, or cash at this time, and payment is due at the time of each appointment. Other services outside of appointments that require more than 15 minutes of my time will be billed at $400 an hour prorated in 15-minute increments. Examples of services requiring administrative fees include, but are not limited to, phone calls greater than 5 minutes; completing insurance company paperwork; and writing letters.
DO YOU OFFER TELEHEALTH SERVICES?
Yes, I do provide telehealth services. Initial appointments must be in person. Children on stimulants must be seen once a year in person. Children in play therapy must be seen in person.
HOW DO I GET MY PRESCRIPTION REFILLED?
If you have authorized refills, your pharmacy can refill your prescription without needing to contact our office. If this is a new prescription, change of medication or if you are out of refills, Dr. Hamilton will authorize a new prescription. If needed the prescription can be called in to your pharmacist by our office.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
I have chosen not to take insurance so that I can focus all of my time on my patients and their families. Therefore, I am NOT an in-network provider for any commercial or third-party insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. The process of billing is time-intensive, and requires professional medical billers that I do not have. I believe that the hours I would spend managing billing myself are much better spent with patients and families in need of psychiatric services. If you have private insurance, you may request a superbill (itemized health care receipt) to submit. There are plans that will reimburse a percentage of the visit fee. However, I cannot guarantee insurance reimbursement, and some insurance companies may require additional documentation, contracting, or business information that I am unable to provide. If insurance reimbursement is a priority, I would recommend pursuing an in-network practice instead of working with me. To be in my practice, you must sign an agreement not to submit any superbill to Medicare for reimbursement.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE MY APPOINTMENT?
Please cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours prior to the appointment. Your appointment time is reserved only for you or your child. I am limited in my ability to substitute another patient on short notice, and appointment time slots are longer in psychiatry than in other specialties, making it difficult to move appointments around. Letting me know with time enables us to make that appointment time available to another patient. If you fail to cancel or reschedule, your full session fee will be billed.
HOW CAN I REACH DR. HAMILTON OUTSIDE MY APPOINTMENT TIME?
I make an effort to return all calls promptly and personally. In the event of an emergency, please contact 911 immediately and/or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room. Calls received before 5pm are generally returned the same day. If calling after office hours, you may leave a message at (714-614-2873) and your call will be returned within 1 business day (non-emergencies).