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Functional Psychiatry for Concord, MA

A traditional psychiatric work-up asks what your symptoms are and matches them to a medication. A functional approach asks a different question first: what is happening in the body that might be driving those symptoms. Harborside uses targeted testing to look for underlying deficiencies and physiological concerns, thyroid function, nutrient levels, metabolic markers, that can affect mood, focus, and sleep, alongside a full psychiatric evaluation.

In Concord, that approach tends to land with people who are already used to gathering information before making a decision. Many of the adults and parents we hear from here are managing demanding careers, competitive schools, and a household schedule that leaves little room for guesswork. They want to understand the why behind a diagnosis, not just get a prescription and move on.

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Functional Psychiatry for people in Concord, MA

Harborside is based in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, and delivers care to patients across the state by secure video. For Concord residents, that means no drive to Boston or Cambridge and no time lost to Route 2 traffic. You need a private space, a reasonably stable internet connection, and a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera.

An initial evaluation typically runs longer than a follow-up, giving your clinician time to go through history, current symptoms, and any relevant lab work or testing. Follow-up appointments are shorter and scheduled on a cadence that depends on your situation, sometimes every few weeks early on, spacing out as things stabilize. If medication is part of your plan, prescriptions are sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choosing, including the ones in Concord center or wherever is easiest for you.

Massachusetts permits prescribing of the full range of psychiatric medications, including stimulants and other controlled substances, when clinically appropriate. Testing that supports the functional piece of care, such as bloodwork, is typically ordered through a local lab near you, so you are not traveling to Yarmouth Port for a blood draw.

How telehealth care actually works

Functional psychiatry at Harborside is used alongside standard evaluation for concerns like persistent anxiety, depression, attention and focus difficulties, mood instability, and sleep problems, particularly when someone has tried a more conventional approach and wants a fuller picture of what might be contributing. It is also a fit for people who feel physically unwell in ways that seem tied to their mental health but have not been fully explained, low energy, brain fog, or mood changes that track with hormonal or metabolic shifts.

This is not a replacement for medical care outside our scope, and it is not a claim that testing will explain everything. It is one more layer of information your clinician can use alongside your history and symptoms.

What we treat

The first visit is a conversation, not a checklist. Your clinician will ask about your current symptoms, medical and family history, sleep, diet, stress, and anything you have already tried. Based on that conversation, they may recommend specific lab testing to look for patterns that a symptom checklist alone would miss. You will leave the appointment with a plan, whether that involves testing, a medication discussion, a referral to one of our therapists, or some combination.

What the first appointment involves

Medication management and functional psychiatry at Harborside are performed by psychiatric nurse practitioners: Rachel Egan, RN PMHNP-BC, who is also clinical director, Emily Pardue, RN PMHNP-BC, and Kirstin Ritchie, RN PMHNP-BC. Each is qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe for mental health conditions, and each brings her own areas of clinical focus to that work. Full bios and credentials for each clinician are on the team page.

Therapy and eating disorder care are delivered by our licensed therapy team: Hannah Legesse, LICSW, Tori Mahoney, LMHC, Jacquelyn Duford, LCMHC ATR, and Lexie Carchedi, LCSW. Depending on your needs, your care may involve one clinician or coordination between a prescriber and a therapist.

Who our clinicians are

Harborside is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly for appointments. Current fees for an initial and a follow-up appointment are listed on our pricing page, and questions about cost can be answered before anything is booked.

What it costs

If you are in Concord and considering functional psychiatry, the first step is scheduling an initial evaluation. You can review clinician availability, ask questions about fit, and get a sense of next steps before committing to anything. Care happens entirely by video, so there is nothing to arrange in person.

Getting started

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988. Harborside does not provide emergency or after-hours care.

This page is educational and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider-patient relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, schedule an appointment with a Harborside clinician.

[CITATION: National Institute of Mental Health or SAMHSA resource on integrative approaches to mental health care, to support the description of functional psychiatry as a complement to standard evaluation]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is functional psychiatry the same as functional medicine?

No. It’s psychiatric care from a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner that also reviews lab work and lifestyle factors, not a separate functional medicine practice.

No. Whether labs make sense is decided together at the first visit, based on your history and symptoms.

Bring it to your first appointment. Existing results can often be used instead of repeating tests.

No. Labs are typically billed separately by the lab itself and may be partly covered by insurance depending on the plan.

Yes. It’s meant to work alongside an existing therapist or primary care provider, not replace them.

Functional psychiatry includes the same prescribing and monitoring, plus a review of physical health factors like sleep, nutrition, and lab markers.

If you need help right now

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988. Harborside Psychiatrics does not provide emergency or after-hours care.

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