What is Christian Psychiatry?
In addition to her extensive training and expertise in the field of psychiatry, Dr. Fortuchang is also educated in the area of Biblical counseling and is a board-eligible professional Christian counselor. She views the practice of Christian psychiatry as one of her sub-specialities. Much like she has expertise in treating children, teens and in conducting forensic evaluations, Dr. Fortuchang also has a great deal of experience in integrating her patient's Christian faith in their treatment process by using Christian principles from a Biblical foundation.
Dr. Fortuchang believes it is important to address spiritual issues in psychiatric treatment. The Holy Bible teaches that we were created as tri-part beings: we are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in body. Our spirit is the most important part of who we are, yet it is often neglected in traditional psychiatric settings. We believe it is essential to treat patients in entirety: body, mind, soul and sprit, because unresolved issues in one area negatively affect the others. Using this bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach allows her to identify and fully address the root issues in the lives of her patients.
Dr. Fortuchang believes it is important to address spiritual issues in psychiatric treatment. The Holy Bible teaches that we were created as tri-part beings: we are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in body. Our spirit is the most important part of who we are, yet it is often neglected in traditional psychiatric settings. We believe it is essential to treat patients in entirety: body, mind, soul and sprit, because unresolved issues in one area negatively affect the others. Using this bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach allows her to identify and fully address the root issues in the lives of her patients.
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How is the Fort Christian Psychiatric Center different?
Relying on The Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance adds depth to Dr. Fortuchang's medical knowledge and allows her to deliver a higher level of patient care to the men, women and children she has been called by God to serve.
Can I become a patient if I'm not a Christian?
Absolutely! Our office does not discriminate against anyone. We accept everyone and all are welcome! We do not try to convert people to Christianity. To do this would be inappropriate and out of order. The decision about whether or not to receive Jesus Christ is extremely personal and private, and should be left between the individual and God. Period.
However, we are not a typical or a traditional psychiatric practice. It is your choice whether or not to seek services at our overtly and unapologetically Christian facility. To us, Christian psychiatry is like any other medical specialty because it targets a specific patient population. Christian principles from The Holy Bible are used as the foundation for the treatment. Purposefully relying on God/The Holy Spirit/Jesus Christ for wisdom and guidance adds greater depth to our medical knowledge and medical decision making, resulting in more effective medical care.
Creating a treatment plan and a tailor-made therapy protocol specific to our patient's needs involves a considerable amount of planning and a great real of time and effort. Therefore, if you already know that you do not want a Christian approach to treatment and prefer a more traditional approach, then please stop and consider this before contacting us to schedule an initial appointment. Doing this will prevent you from the inconvenience of having to prematurely terminate services with us. We have found this to be profoundly beneficial for all parties.
However, we are not a typical or a traditional psychiatric practice. It is your choice whether or not to seek services at our overtly and unapologetically Christian facility. To us, Christian psychiatry is like any other medical specialty because it targets a specific patient population. Christian principles from The Holy Bible are used as the foundation for the treatment. Purposefully relying on God/The Holy Spirit/Jesus Christ for wisdom and guidance adds greater depth to our medical knowledge and medical decision making, resulting in more effective medical care.
Creating a treatment plan and a tailor-made therapy protocol specific to our patient's needs involves a considerable amount of planning and a great real of time and effort. Therefore, if you already know that you do not want a Christian approach to treatment and prefer a more traditional approach, then please stop and consider this before contacting us to schedule an initial appointment. Doing this will prevent you from the inconvenience of having to prematurely terminate services with us. We have found this to be profoundly beneficial for all parties.
What if I don't want to take psychiatric medication?
We believe in the important role medication can play in treatment and we freely use it, when indicated. Most patients benefit from it but some do not. The use of medication is based purely on a patient by patient basis, and is always used together with therapy. We thoroughly educate our patients about the medication suggested for them and the reasons we believe it is necessary. The decision to go forward with medication is made between Dr. Fortuchang and the patient. But, deciding against medication when symptoms indicate that it would be beneficial, would be unwise and would go against medical advice. Medication is typically started at a low dose and is slowly increased over time, as needed. This helps to prevent any temporary unpleasant effects people can sometimes experience when first starting a medication or when switching to another one. To us, medication is just another conduit through which God works.
Is Dr. Fortuchang actually the one doing the therapy with her patients?
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100%! Yes! As a formally trained psychotherapist, Dr. Fortuchang fully believes in the powerful effect of evidence-based psychotherapy, and considers it the "surgery" of mental health treatment. We do not prescribe medication without psychotherapy.
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Office Location:The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center
110 North Park Drive Fayetteville, GA 30214 Phone: (770) 376-6726 |
Office Hours:Mon: 7am - 7pm
Tues: 7am - 7pm Wed: 7am - 7pm Thurs: 7am - 7pm Fri, Sat, Sun: CLOSED |
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How long does therapy last and how often does it occur?
We conduct psychotherapy in 3 phases: acute sessions, maintenance sessions and booster sessions. On average, our acute phase therapy sessions occur on a weekly/every other week basis and lasts approximately 3-6 months. It continues until symptoms are well controlled. As symptoms improve the frequency of acute phase sessions begin to decrease even further as the patient moves toward the maintenance phase. Maintenance phase appointments occur on an average of every 1-5 months, lasting until the patient reaches remission. Once in remission (no symptoms for a consecutive 9-12 month period), the booster session phase begins. Appointments can occur every 6-12 months until treatment is terminated.
The frequency of appointments is a clinical decision made by Dr. Fortuchang, based on the severity of the patient's symptoms, and done on a case by case basis. Creating a treatment plan and a tailor-made therapy protocol specific to our patients' needs involves a considerable amount of planning and a great deal of time and effort. Therefore, if you know that it will not be feasible for you to engage in weekly acute therapy sessions, then please consider this BEFORE contacting us to schedule an initial appointment. This will benefit you by helping to avoid the inconvenience of having to prematurely terminate our services.
We do not believe that psychotherapy is designed to last forever. We are always determined to meet the specific treatment goals developed for each patient in an efficient and timely manner, with excellence and compassion.
The frequency of appointments is a clinical decision made by Dr. Fortuchang, based on the severity of the patient's symptoms, and done on a case by case basis. Creating a treatment plan and a tailor-made therapy protocol specific to our patients' needs involves a considerable amount of planning and a great deal of time and effort. Therefore, if you know that it will not be feasible for you to engage in weekly acute therapy sessions, then please consider this BEFORE contacting us to schedule an initial appointment. This will benefit you by helping to avoid the inconvenience of having to prematurely terminate our services.
We do not believe that psychotherapy is designed to last forever. We are always determined to meet the specific treatment goals developed for each patient in an efficient and timely manner, with excellence and compassion.
What types of therapy do you offer?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (understanding that what we think affects how we feel and what we do)
Exposure and Response Prevention (overcoming fears by facing them and refusing to give in to them)
Faith-oriented Redemptive Therapy (trusting God not fear, resulting in renewed minds and transformed lives)
Family Therapy (family sessions or parent sessions with or without the patient present)
Individual Therapy (one-to-one therapy with only the patient present)
Forgiveness Therapy (facilitated prayer to uncover deep-seated unresolved emotional wounds and heal them)
Exposure and Response Prevention (overcoming fears by facing them and refusing to give in to them)
Faith-oriented Redemptive Therapy (trusting God not fear, resulting in renewed minds and transformed lives)
Family Therapy (family sessions or parent sessions with or without the patient present)
Individual Therapy (one-to-one therapy with only the patient present)
Forgiveness Therapy (facilitated prayer to uncover deep-seated unresolved emotional wounds and heal them)
What kinds of issues does The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center address?
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FEAR & RELATED ANXIETY AND MOOD DISORDERS:
Agoraphobia & Specific Phobia ALL Anxiety Disorders Depression Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body-Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Hair-Pulling Disorder and Skin-Picking Disorder) Panic Disorder Posttraumatic Stress Disorder & Other Stress-Related Disorders |
SPIRITUALLY-RELATED ISSUES:
Bitterness Fear Hopelessness Resentment Unforgiveness Worthlessness, etc. |
Are there issues that The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center does not treat?
We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of fear and related anxiety and mood disorders, as well as fear-related spiritual issues that affect peace, hope and joy. We believe it is extremely important to be completely transparent about the issues we do not treat in our outpatient office setting.
Therefore, we do not treat substance dependence (requires an addictions psychiatrist), we do not treat patients over the age of 65 (requires a geriatric psychiatrist), we do not treat primary sleep disorders (requires a sleep specialist), we do not treat pain disorders (requires a pain specialist), we do not treat extremely disruptive and/or destructive behavioral disorders in children or adults (requires a psychologist for testing), we do not treat eating disorders (requires an eating disorders specialist), and we do not treat Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders (requires more acute services and resources than we can provide in our office setting, and would be best suited for a provider who accepts insurance).
Therefore, we do not treat substance dependence (requires an addictions psychiatrist), we do not treat patients over the age of 65 (requires a geriatric psychiatrist), we do not treat primary sleep disorders (requires a sleep specialist), we do not treat pain disorders (requires a pain specialist), we do not treat extremely disruptive and/or destructive behavioral disorders in children or adults (requires a psychologist for testing), we do not treat eating disorders (requires an eating disorders specialist), and we do not treat Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders (requires more acute services and resources than we can provide in our office setting, and would be best suited for a provider who accepts insurance).
Do you testify in court on behalf of your patients?
It is my policy not to get involved in my patient's legal issues. If a patient finds it necessary to subpoena me (their psychotherapist), and decides to involve me in their legal issues, then I can no longer be their psychotherapist, the doctor-patient relationship will be terminated and they will be 100% responsible for my expert witness fees.
Do you take insurance?
We do not accept any insurance. We do not bill insurance companies. Because we are not contracted with any insurance panels, we are considered an "out-of-network" provider. Full payment is expected at the time of the appointment. We accept cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards and health savings / flexible spending accounts.
Patients are given a form (containing all information needed to reimburse and indicates that we have received full payment) to submit to their insurance company on their own for any reimbursement. Some patients choose to do this, some do not. Some choose not to file with their insurance company because they want to protect their privacy, and some do not want to involve their insurance provider due to concerns about how it might affect their insurance rate. Also, some insurance companies do not offer any mental health coverage to their customers.
Please allow us to explain why we have chosen not to contract directly with insurance companies. When providers are contracted with insurance companies, they are required to release patient medical records– even if the patient does not want them involved. In order for a contracted provider to be reimbursed, the insurance company requires that a diagnosis be given (as early as the initial visit) and submitted, even if the patient does not yet have one. We simply do not agree with this approach, nor do most patients. Most importantly, we do not agree with a third party (who has not gone to medical school) dictating the way in which we practice medicine. We are led only by God.
Therefore, it is our preference to give our patients the option to choose whether or not to involve their insurance provider. If so, they file our receipt and this form to receive any reimbursement. We do not do any billing or filing.
If you are relying on reimbursement from your insurance provider in order to become a patient at The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center and/or maintain a doctor-patient relationship with us, and you cannot continue with us without it, then we highly suggest that you check with your insurance provider first to ensure that you have mental health coverage BEFORE scheduling an initial appointment with us. Creating a treatment plan and a tailor-made therapy protocol specific to our patients' needs involves a considerable amount of planning and a great deal of time and effort. Checking with your insurance company first will help you to avoid the inconvenience of having to prematurely terminate our services.
Patients are given a form (containing all information needed to reimburse and indicates that we have received full payment) to submit to their insurance company on their own for any reimbursement. Some patients choose to do this, some do not. Some choose not to file with their insurance company because they want to protect their privacy, and some do not want to involve their insurance provider due to concerns about how it might affect their insurance rate. Also, some insurance companies do not offer any mental health coverage to their customers.
Please allow us to explain why we have chosen not to contract directly with insurance companies. When providers are contracted with insurance companies, they are required to release patient medical records– even if the patient does not want them involved. In order for a contracted provider to be reimbursed, the insurance company requires that a diagnosis be given (as early as the initial visit) and submitted, even if the patient does not yet have one. We simply do not agree with this approach, nor do most patients. Most importantly, we do not agree with a third party (who has not gone to medical school) dictating the way in which we practice medicine. We are led only by God.
Therefore, it is our preference to give our patients the option to choose whether or not to involve their insurance provider. If so, they file our receipt and this form to receive any reimbursement. We do not do any billing or filing.
If you are relying on reimbursement from your insurance provider in order to become a patient at The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center and/or maintain a doctor-patient relationship with us, and you cannot continue with us without it, then we highly suggest that you check with your insurance provider first to ensure that you have mental health coverage BEFORE scheduling an initial appointment with us. Creating a treatment plan and a tailor-made therapy protocol specific to our patients' needs involves a considerable amount of planning and a great deal of time and effort. Checking with your insurance company first will help you to avoid the inconvenience of having to prematurely terminate our services.
What are your fees?
- Diagnostic Evaluation: $335
- 90-minute Psychotherapy +/- Medication Management: $335
- 75-minute Psychotherapy +/- Medication Management: $285
- 50-minute Psychotherapy +/- Medication Management: $235
- 25-minute Extended Medication Management: $135
- 15-minute Medication Management: $85
- Psychiatric Consultation/Second Opinion: $435 base fee (ranges on degree of complexity of case)
I'd like to become a patient. What should I do next?
This means you have read this entire page, as well as the website, and you have a good understanding of the way we practice psychiatry. You are aware of our unique and cutting-edge treatment approach, our areas of expertise and the areas we don't treat, our fees and our view on therapy as a requirement in our treatment process.
Since you are willing, ready and able to do the hard work it will take to be successful in overcoming fear, we invite you to call (770) 376-6726 to schedule your first appointment. Your victorious life awaits you!
Since you are willing, ready and able to do the hard work it will take to be successful in overcoming fear, we invite you to call (770) 376-6726 to schedule your first appointment. Your victorious life awaits you!
Healing for your soul, mind, body & spirit...
(770) 376-6726
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Shaw Wendi Fortuchang, M.D., FAPA
SPECIALIZING IN CHRISTIAN-CENTERED, BIBLE-BASED, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT OF FEAR & RELATED ANXIETY & MOOD DISORDERS The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center 110 North Park Drive Fayetteville, GA 30214 Phone: (770) 376-6726 *Free parking for our guests! Open: 7am-7pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Appointments are on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Monday is an administrative day **Sessions are by appointment only. NO WALK-INS. Closed: Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center does not discriminate against anyone. All are welcome.
As an overtly Christian-based practice, we (empathically and without judgment) allow God to use us as vessels to accomplish His will.
As an overtly Christian-based practice, we (empathically and without judgment) allow God to use us as vessels to accomplish His will.
Copyright ©2014 -2020 The Fort Christian Psychiatric Center.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
All information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and should never be construed to be medical advice or treatment.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
All information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and should never be construed to be medical advice or treatment.