Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness — Same-Day Telepsychiatry in North Carolina
Virtual psychiatric care statewide for ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and medication management. Insurance and Medicaid accepted. No in-person visit required.
About Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness
Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness is a North Carolina–based psychiatric practice providing 100% virtual mental health care statewide. Founded by Afi Kpakossou, PMHNP-BC, the practice is staffed by board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners who specialize in evidence-based evaluation and medication management for adults and adolescents across North Carolina.
We offer same-day and next-day telehealth appointments for ADHD evaluation, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, PTSD care, bipolar disorder management, insomnia treatment, and psychiatric medication management. All appointments are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant video — accessible from Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Wilmington, Asheville, Fayetteville, and every other city and county in North Carolina.
We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Medicare, and NC Medicaid (Healthy Blue, WellCare, Trillium Health, and Carolina Complete Health). Tricare is also accepted. Self-pay rates are available.
Our Psychiatric Services
Pinnacle Behavioral Health offers a full range of outpatient telehealth psychiatric services for adults and adolescents throughout North Carolina. All care is delivered via secure video appointments — no in-person visits required.
ADHD Evaluation and Treatment — comprehensive adult and adolescent ADHD assessments, diagnosis, and medication management including stimulant and non-stimulant options
Anxiety Treatment — evidence-based care for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and health anxiety
Depression Treatment — evaluation and medication management for major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and postpartum depression
PTSD Treatment — trauma-informed psychiatric care and medication management for post-traumatic stress disorder
Bipolar Disorder Treatment — mood stabilization, medication management, and ongoing psychiatric support for bipolar I and bipolar II disorder
Insomnia Treatment — evaluation and treatment of chronic insomnia and sleep disturbances with both behavioral and pharmacological approaches
Psychiatric Medication Management — ongoing prescription refills, medication adjustments, and collaborative monitoring for stable patients
Psychiatric Evaluation — thorough 45- to 60-minute initial evaluations covering mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment planning
Mental Health Conditions We Treat
Our providers are experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions via telehealth in North Carolina, including:
Our team of board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners provides compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care across North Carolina via telehealth.
Afi Kpakossou is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness. She specializes in ADHD evaluation and treatment, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and psychiatric medication management for adults and adolescents in North Carolina. Afi provides all care via HIPAA-compliant telehealth and is dedicated to accessible, culturally sensitive psychiatric care statewide.
Fred Amematsro is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness. He specializes in ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Fred conducts psychiatric evaluations and medication management visits via telehealth for patients throughout North Carolina.
Serving All of North Carolina
Because all of our psychiatric services are delivered via telehealth, we serve patients across every region of North Carolina — from the mountains to the coast. You can see a provider from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere with a stable internet connection.
We serve patients in major cities and metro areas including:
Charlotte and the greater Charlotte metro area including Concord, Gastonia, Mooresville, and Monroe
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the Research Triangle region
Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and the Triad region
Wilmington and the coastal NC region including Jacksonville and New Bern
Fayetteville, Fort Liberty, and surrounding Cumberland County
We also serve patients in Coastal NC, the Triad region, and the Charlotte metro region, as well as many other cities including Burlington, Kannapolis, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Goldsboro, Greenville, Huntersville, Hickory, and Concord.
Insurance We Accept
Pinnacle Behavioral Health accepts most major insurance plans. Telehealth psychiatric visits are typically covered at the same rate as in-person visits. We accept:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBS NC)
Aetna
Cigna / Evernorth
UnitedHealthcare / UHC / Optum
Humana
Medicare (Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage)
NC Medicaid — including Healthy Blue, WellCare, Trillium Health, and Carolina Complete Health
Tricare (for active-duty military, veterans, and their families)
Self-pay rates are $179 for an initial psychiatric evaluation and $99 for follow-up medication management visits. No referral is required to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness?
Pinnacle Behavioral Health & Wellness is a North Carolina–based psychiatric practice providing 100% virtual mental health care statewide. The practice is led by licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) and specializes in ADHD evaluation, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, PTSD care, and psychiatric medication management via secure telehealth appointments.
Can I see a psychiatric provider online in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina law allows fully virtual psychiatric care via telehealth. Pinnacle Behavioral Health serves patients throughout the state — from Charlotte and Raleigh to Asheville and Wilmington — with no in-person visit required. All appointments are conducted via secure HIPAA-compliant video.
Can I book a same-day psychiatric appointment in North Carolina?
Yes. Many patients are scheduled the same day or within 24 hours of requesting an appointment. Same-day telepsychiatry is available across North Carolina for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and medication management — no referral required.
Does insurance cover telepsychiatry in North Carolina?
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover telehealth psychiatric visits at the same rate as in-person visits. Pinnacle Behavioral Health accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Medicare, NC Medicaid (including Healthy Blue, WellCare, Trillium Health, and Carolina Complete Health), and Tricare.
What mental health conditions does Pinnacle Behavioral Health treat?
Pinnacle Behavioral Health treats ADHD (adult and adolescent), generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, major depressive disorder, seasonal depression, postpartum depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and OCD. All care is delivered via HIPAA-compliant video appointments accessible from anywhere in North Carolina.
What should I expect at my first psychiatric appointment?
Your first appointment is a 45- to 60-minute evaluation via secure video. Your provider will review your current symptoms, mental health and medication history, family history, and how your condition is affecting your daily life. If medication is appropriate, a prescription is sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy the same day. Follow-up appointments are typically 20–30 minutes.
How is a psychiatrist different from a therapist?
A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. A therapist provides talk therapy and coping strategies but cannot prescribe. Many patients benefit from both — Pinnacle's providers can coordinate with your existing therapist for comprehensive care.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatric provider at Pinnacle?
No referral is required. You can book directly online through our website or via Zocdoc. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. Simply select a provider, choose a time that works for you, and complete your intake forms online before your appointment.
Mental Health Resources & Blog
Our blog covers a wide range of mental health topics including ADHD symptoms and treatment, anxiety management, depression signs and recovery, medication guides, sleep health, and telehealth tips. Recent articles include:
Many people experiencing chest pain, stomach problems, or chronic headaches have been through extensive medical workups — only to be told everything looks normal. If that sounds familiar, anxiety may be the explanation. Anxiety produces very real physical symptoms through well-understood physiological mechanisms.
Important: Always see a medical provider to rule out physical causes of symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness before attributing them to anxiety. This article is educational and not a substitute for medical advice.
Why Anxiety Can Cause Physical Symptoms
When your brain perceives a threat — whether real or imagined — it activates the fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline and cortisol flood your system, preparing your body for danger. This cascade produces measurable physical changes:
Heart rate and blood pressure increase to pump blood to muscles
Breathing rate increases to bring in more oxygen
Digestion slows or becomes erratic (blood is redirected away from the gut)
Muscles tense in preparation for action
Sweat glands activate to cool the body
In chronic anxiety disorders, this response fires too often or too intensely — causing persistent physical distress even when no real threat is present.
Physical Symptoms Anxiety May Trigger
Heart
Racing heart, palpitations, chest tightness or pain
Lungs
Shortness of breath, feeling like you cannot take a deep breath
Stomach
Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, IBS-like symptoms
Muscles
Tension, aches, trembling, shaking
Head
Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness
Skin
Sweating, flushing, hot flashes, numbness or tingling
Sleep
Insomnia, restless sleep, vivid dreams
Fatigue
Exhaustion, feeling drained even without physical activity
Anxiety Disorders That Commonly Cause Physical Symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Chronic worry and tension cause muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and sleep problems.
Panic Disorder
Panic attacks produce sudden, intense physical symptoms — racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness — that often mimic heart attacks.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Blushing, sweating, trembling, and nausea in social or performance situations.
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Persistent physical symptoms with disproportionate anxiety about health, even after medical causes are ruled out.
Treatment Options for Anxiety with Physical Symptoms
Effective treatment addresses both the mental and physical components of anxiety:
Medications
SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram) and SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine) are first-line medications for anxiety disorders and reduce both psychological and physical symptoms. Beta-blockers help with heart-related symptoms. Buspirone reduces chronic anxiety without sedation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify and change thought patterns that trigger the anxiety response, reducing both psychological distress and physical symptoms over time.
Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
Diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness activate the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the fight-or-flight response and reducing physical symptoms.
Yes. Anxiety can cause chest tightness, sharp chest pain, or a feeling of pressure. However, chest pain should always be evaluated medically first to rule out cardiac causes.
Can anxiety cause stomach problems?
Yes. Anxiety frequently causes nausea, stomach cramping, diarrhea, and IBS-like symptoms. The gut has its own nervous system (the enteric nervous system) that is highly sensitive to stress and anxiety.
How do I get treatment for anxiety in North Carolina?
Pinnacle Behavioral Health and Wellness provides same-day telehealth appointments for anxiety disorders across NC. Our providers offer medication management and coordinate with therapists for comprehensive care.
Can anxiety be treated without medication?
Yes. Therapy (especially CBT), lifestyle changes, and relaxation techniques are effective for mild to moderate anxiety. For moderate to severe anxiety, medication often significantly improves outcomes.
Get Anxiety Treatment in North Carolina Today
Same-day telehealth appointments available. Insurance accepted statewide. No referral needed.
