Psychiatry that isn’t a 15-minute med check.
A psychiatrist who actually listens — and who talks to your therapist.
At CMHS, a board-certified psychiatrist takes the time to understand your full story, works from the same plan as your therapist, and never pushes medication you don’t want.
Most insurance accepted. Usually seen within a week.
What psychiatric care involves
Medication decisions made carefully, and never in isolation.
Psychiatry at CMHS starts with a real evaluation, not a fifteen-minute checklist. Our psychiatric clinicians, two psychiatrists and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, take the time to understand your history, what you’ve tried, what worked, what didn’t, and what your day-to-day actually looks like before anyone talks prescriptions.
Sometimes the outcome is medication. Sometimes it’s a recommendation for therapy first, or a change to something you’re already taking, or a plan to taper off something that stopped helping years ago. The point of the evaluation is an honest answer, not a script.
When to consider it
Reasons people see our psychiatric team
- Therapy is helping, but not enough. Symptoms still interfere with sleep, work, or relationships.
- A medication question. Starting, adjusting, combining, or coming off safely.
- A diagnosis that needs clarity. ADHD, bipolar spectrum, anxiety vs. something else.
- A fresh set of eyes. You’ve been on the same regimen for years and no one has revisited it.
How we approach it
Your prescriber and your therapist work from the same chart.
This is the part most practices can’t offer: at CMHS, psychiatry and therapy live under one roof. Your prescriber sees your therapist’s notes and vice versa — so when a medication changes, your therapist knows why, and when something shifts in therapy, your prescriber hears about it before your next med check. No release forms shuttling between offices, no retelling your story from scratch.
Follow-ups are scheduled at a rhythm that matches where you are: closer together when something’s changing, spaced out once things are stable. And if you don’t yet have a therapist and want one, we match you inside the same practice.
What to expect
The practical details.
The first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation. Most of it is conversation. Bring what you know about past medications and doses if you have it; don’t worry if you don’t. Appointments run in person in Milford or by video anywhere in Connecticut, and most new patients are seen within a week.
We’re in-network with Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, ConnectiCare, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare. Our intake team verifies psychiatric benefits specifically before your first visit, since they can differ from therapy coverage.
“Dr. Kondev is an amazing doctor. He doesn’t make you feel judged or misled.”— S.I., Google review
“I’ve been a patient of Dr. Kondev’s for over 8 years now, and even though I moved to a different town I refuse to switch doctors.”— B.R., Google review
“Dr. Vanja Kondev and his staff are amazing to work with. They go above and beyond to assist with appointments and take care of you.”— J.S., Google review
Ready when you are.
This short form helps us match you with the right psychiatrist. No commitment, just a conversation about what you’re looking for and whether we’re a good fit.
- Same-week appointments. Most insurance accepted.
- A psychiatrist who listens — and coordinates with your therapist.
- We respond within one business day and verify your insurance first.
