Questions and answers

A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse with graduate training in psychiatry. They evaluate, diagnose and treat mental health conditions, provide therapy, and prescribe medication.

Dr. Tikum's doctorate is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), a doctoral degree in nursing. He is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who evaluates, diagnoses and treats mental health conditions and prescribes medication.

Children, teens, adults and older adults. Families and couples can join visits when the patient wants them involved.

Both. Some patients come for medication management, some for psychotherapy, and many for both.

When it is clinically appropriate, yes. Federal and New Jersey rules for controlled substances can require an in-person visit and regular follow-up. We explain what applies to you before treatment starts.

Book online through Zocdoc, call the office, or send an appointment request and we will call you within one business day.

Most plans do not require a referral for outpatient mental health care, but some do. When you book, we check your plan and tell you if one is needed.

Yes. A free 15-minute phone consultation helps you decide whether we are the right fit before you book a full visit.

We talk about what brought you in, your history, your health and your goals. You leave with an explanation in plain language and a plan for next steps.

Yes. Telehealth visits are available to patients who are physically in New Jersey at the time of the visit.

We accept Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), Medicare and most major commercial plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Oxford. We verify your coverage before your first visit.

We text or email you a secure link showing the exact amount due. You pay on Clover's secure payment page with a card, including most HSA and FSA cards. You never have to type in the amount yourself.

Our payment links always start with krystitecare.com/pay and show your visit date. We never ask for a card number by text, email or phone. If something looks wrong, call the office.

Self-pay visits are available. You have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of costs before your visit.

Yes. We follow HIPAA and New Jersey privacy law. Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains how your information is used and your rights.

For adults, only with your written permission, except in an emergency. For children, parents or guardians are part of care, and teens have some privacy rights that we explain at the first visit.

Call or text 988 at any time for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Our office is not an emergency service.