Psychiatrists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and evaluate treatment results. Your intake appointment can take one to two hours. You’ll fill out paperwork and assessments to help determine a diagnosis. After that, you’ll have a conversation with the psychiatrist and an NP or PA may observe. The doctor will get to know you and come to understand why you are seeking treatment.