Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
-
Dr. Kalyanapu is currently accepting new patients! You can begin your journey by completing our Consultation Request form.
-
We want your first visit with Dr. Kalyanapu to be as productive as possible! To prepare, please:
complete the Consultation Request form and any additional paperwork sent by our office
make a list of your primary concerns and health goals, and bring it with you
If both you and Dr. Kalyanapu agree to proceed, you will be welcomed as a patient. Our staff is here to guide you through the process and answer any questions. Please contact us if you need assistance preparing for your appointment.
-
Yes, we offer telemedicine for your convenience! While Dr. Kalyanapu values in-person visits—especially for initial evaluations and pediatric care—routine follow-up appointments can be conducted via phone or video.
Please note that your 2-hour evaluation must be in-person, and in-person visits may be required during crises or emergencies.
Licensing Information: Dr. Kalyanapu is licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida. Patients participating in telemedicine must be physically located in one of these states during their appointment.
-
Dr. Kalyanapu’s fees are structured to reflect the comprehensive care she provides:
Initial Consultation: $100 for a 30-minute session (non-refundable, payable upon registration)
Full Evaluation: $800 for a 2-hour session
Follow-Up Appointments: $180 per 30 minutes (typically 30–60 minutes)
Additional costs, such as labs, testing, or supplements, are billed separately by the respective laboratory or pharmacy. We ensure transparency by discussing all potential costs with you before proceeding.
-
Dr. Kalyanapu operates as an out-of-network provider and does not accept insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Patients are responsible for payment at the time of their appointment. To support you, we provide a detailed invoice with diagnostic and procedure codes, which you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement.
Understanding Functional Medicine
-
Functional medicine, often referred to as integrative or "root cause" medicine, combines the best of conventional Western medicine with holistic approaches to promote optimal health. This includes personalized guidance on diet, nutrition, lifestyle, and other wellness practices.
At the core of functional medicine is the belief that true health extends beyond the absence of disease. Many of Dr. Kalyanapu’s patients seek her expertise not for a specific illness but to enhance longevity, boost athletic performance, sharpen mental clarity, or improve emotional well-being.
Dr. Kalyanapu is dedicated to identifying the underlying causes of your symptoms and designing a tailored treatment plan that integrates physical and psychological therapies to help you achieve your health goals, adapting as your needs evolve.
-
Your treatment with Dr. Kalyanapu is a collaborative journey tailored to your unique needs. During your 2-hour evaluation, Dr. Kalyanapu will thoroughly assess your health history, symptoms, and goals to identify the root causes of your concerns. From there, she will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, nutritional guidance, targeted testing, supplements, or medications.
Follow-up appointments, typically 30–60 minutes, allow Dr. Kalyanapu to monitor your progress, adjust your plan as needed, and ensure you feel supported every step of the way. Our goal is to empower you to achieve lasting health and well-being.
-
The timeline for seeing results varies depending on your individual health concerns, goals, and the complexity of your condition. Some patients notice improvements within weeks, particularly with lifestyle or nutritional changes, while others with chronic or complex conditions may require an extended period to achieve optimal outcomes.
Dr. Kalyanapu will work closely with you to set realistic expectations and provide ongoing support. During follow-up appointments, she will track your progress and adjust your treatment plan to ensure steady movement toward your health goals.
Treatment Approaches and Services
-
Dr. Kalyanapu is committed to identifying the root cause of your health concerns to deliver the most effective treatment. She carefully selects testing tailored to your specific needs and budget, including standard lab tests (often covered by insurance) and specialized diagnostic tools.
Commonly used specialty labs include Genova Diagnostics, Great Plains Laboratories, GeneSight, Doctor’s Data, and iGeneX. Additionally, Dr. Kalyanapu collaborates with Amen Clinics, Inc, for brain SPECT imaging or quantitative EEG and may recommend traditional EEGs, MRIs, sleep studies, or other tests as needed.
-
Yes, Dr. Kalyanapu creates personalized, comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient’s physical and psychological needs. While she prioritizes natural approaches—often helping patients reduce or eliminate medications when appropriate—prescription medications may be recommended to achieve specific health goals.
When medications are necessary, Dr. Kalyanapu aims to use the minimal effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Her approach may include psychotropic medications, hormones, antifungals, nootropics, or prescription-strength nutrients, such as Vitamin D or B12 injections, based on your unique needs.
-
Dr. Kalyanapu is trained in various therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, supportive/expressive therapy, play therapy, and family therapy. However, her current practice focuses on biological interventions. For patients seeking psychotherapy or counseling, she collaborates with trusted therapists and can provide personalized recommendations to meet your needs.
Specific Populations and Conditions
-
Absolutely! Dr. Kalyanapu is trained as an adult psychiatrist and also holds specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry. This dual expertise provides a unique developmental perspective, enhancing her ability to treat adults, particularly those with conditions like Attention-Deficit Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorders that may begin in childhood.
-
Dr. Kalyanapu brings specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry to her functional medicine practice, offering a compassionate, holistic approach to pediatric care. She focuses on identifying the root causes of physical, emotional, or behavioral concerns in children, using gentle, natural interventions whenever possible, such as nutritional guidance or lifestyle changes.
For pediatric patients, Dr. Kalyanapu prefers in-person visits to build trust and ensure a thorough evaluation. She works closely with parents and guardians to create a tailored treatment plan that supports the child’s overall well-being and development.
-
Dr. Kalyanapu recognizes the significant impact Lyme and tick-borne illnesses can have on mental and neurological health. She treats psychiatric conditions related to these illnesses, working closely with Lyme-literate physicians to provide comprehensive care. While she does not primarily treat Lyme disease or other chronic infections, she is happy to refer you to trusted specialists who focus on these conditions.
-
For patients seeking treatment for substance abuse, Dr. Kalyanapu collaborates with her trusted colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Stuller, MD, a board-certified addictions specialist who shares a similar integrative treatment philosophy. We are happy to facilitate a referral to ensure you receive the specialized care you need.
Additional Expertise and Collaboration
-
While Dr. Kalyanapu is not a certified nutritionist, she brings extensive knowledge of nutrition and its impact on health. She has spent years collaborating with nutritionists, naturopathic doctors, and integrative physicians, attending conferences, and studying the connections between diet, gastrointestinal health, biochemistry, and brain function.
Dr. Kalyanapu also draws on her personal experience with various dietary approaches and supplements to offer practical, evidence-based advice on nutritional and lifestyle changes tailored to your needs.
-
Absolutely! Dr. Kalyanapu values collaboration and is happy to coordinate with your primary care physician or other specialists to ensure comprehensive, cohesive care. With your permission, she can share relevant findings, test results, or treatment plans to support your overall health journey.
Administrative and Support Details
-
While Dr. Kalyanapu does not currently conduct formal research for publication, she is deeply committed to staying at the forefront of medical advancements. She regularly reviews the latest medical literature to ensure her patients receive the most current and comprehensive care, particularly for complex or unique cases. This dedication allows her to offer a wide range of treatment options tailored to your needs.
-
Dr. Kalyanapu focuses exclusively on outpatient care and is not currently affiliated with any hospitals. If hospitalization is needed, she is happy to collaborate with your inpatient providers to ensure seamless, coordinated care.
-
For urgent medical emergencies, please visit your nearest emergency room.
We are here to support you! Patients can reach out via our patient portal, phone, or email at any time. Our office staff is available to assist with scheduling, medication refills, and other needs, and Dr. Kalyanapu is notified promptly when her direct involvement is required.
Other questions? Let us know.