Welcome to Willowbrook Behavioral Health
Dr. Andrews is a dual board-certified psychiatrist in Pennsylvania, specializing in both general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. She is located in the Lehigh Valley and sees patients from the Allentown, Easton, and Bethlehem regions.
Meet Dr. Andrews
Dr. Lauren Andrews, MD – Dual Board-Certified Psychiatrist in Pennsylvania
Dr. Lauren Andrews, MD, is a psychiatrist in Pennsylvania dedicated to providing exceptional mental health care to individuals and families in the Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton area. A Lehigh Valley native, Dr. Andrews is thrilled to be back serving her community.
She graduated from Vassar College before moving to California to conduct molecular imaging research at Stanford University. During this time, she also completed a post-baccalaureate premedical program at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Andrews earned her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 2018.
Dr. Andrews completed both her residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), a top 10 psychiatry program. During her final year of fellowship, she served as psychotherapy chief, enhancing her expertise in mental health treatments. She is dual board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
An active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Andrews has presented at national conferences and delivered talks on adolescent borderline personality disorder and the utilization of outpatient resources before considering pediatric psychiatric hospitalization.
Dr. Andrews is committed to offering compassionate and personalized psychiatric services in Pennsylvania, utilizing her extensive experience to help you and your family achieve optimal mental health. She looks forward to welcoming you to her practice in the Lehigh Valley.
Services
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Our psychiatric evaluations provide a thorough mental health assessment for you or your child. We gather detailed information, consult with other healthcare providers like therapists and physicians when appropriate, and collaborate with you during appointments to discuss possible mental health diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, beneficial supplements, and appropriate psychiatric medications if indicated.
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A psychiatric diagnosis can sometimes lead other medical providers to overlook important symptoms. We offer advocacy services by joining you or your child in medical appointments to ensure your concerns are fully addressed and all necessary tests are considered. Our goal is to promote comprehensive mental health care and eliminate the stigma often associated with mental health disorders.
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If you have an existing psychiatric diagnosis and seek a second opinion or further clarification, we provide one-time comprehensive mental health evaluations. Our experienced psychiatrist will reassess your condition to offer clarity and ensure you receive the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
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Recognizing that one size does not fit all in psychiatric care, we offer individualized mental health treatment tailored to your specific needs. Our services include accurate psychiatric diagnoses with thorough explanations, ongoing longitudinal care, recommendations for beneficial mental health supplements, prescriptions for appropriate psychiatric medications, and safe medication management including deprescribing when medications are unnecessary or ineffective. Our aim is to ensure optimal mental well-being through personalized, evidence-based care.
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We offer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) testing—the gold-standard assessment for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in toddlers, children, and adults. Our comprehensive autism evaluations are designed to provide accurate diagnoses, enabling individuals to access appropriate support and interventions.
An initial evaluation is required prior to administering the ADOS.
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We believe that understanding you or your family member’s diagnoses, and the available treatment options, are essential part of the journey toward wellness. Willowbrook is dedicated to providing clear, accurate information about various psychiatric diagnoses and the latest evidence-based treatments. We offer personalized information sessions and simplify the most current medical literature into easy-to-understand terms, empowering you to make informed decisions about your care, or to better understand diagnoses for your loved ones.
FAQs
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Dr. Andrews provides psychiatric care for:
Toddlers and Children
Adolescents
Adults (those over the age of 26 will be decided on a case by case basis)
Note: All patients seeking medication management must be physically located in Pennsylvania at the time of service.
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In the United States, physician education is highly structured and rigorously regulated, setting the gold standard for medical training. Physicians, such as child and adolescent psychiatrists, undergo an extensive educational journey—typically 9-10 years of graduate education—and accumulate approximately 23,000 hours of clinical training before practicing independently. This comprehensive training ensures a deep understanding of medical science and a high level of clinical expertise.
In contrast, non-MD/DO prescribers may sometimes complete as little as one year of graduate education with around 600 clinical shadowing hours. This significance, in both the duration and intensity of training, highlights a difference in the level of expertise between physicians and non-MDs/DOs.
When considering mental health care, it's crucial to recognize these differences. The rigorous training of physicians equips them with a breadth and depth of knowledge that ensures they are highly qualified to diagnose and treat complex psychiatric conditions. Understanding the difference between physicians and other types of prescribers can guide you in making informed decisions about your mental health care provider.
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Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Safe Deprescribing for those wishing to discontinue psychiatric medications
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Looking for immediate psychiatric support in Pennsylvania? Dr. Andrews is currently accepting new patients and has appointments available now.
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Consultations and medication management appointments are primarily conducted virtually through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
Requirements:
Reliable internet access with audio and video capabilities
A private, safe space for the duration of the appointment (e.g., not in a moving vehicle)
ADOS testing may be conducted in person depending upon the age group.
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Starting December 2024, Dr. Andrews will offer autism testing services to those ages 12 months through to adulthood.
Interested? Fill out the contact form below.
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At this time, Dr. Andrews does not participate with any insurance plans.
Superbill Provided: You will receive a superbill after each appointment, which you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement based on your out-of-network benefits.
Billing: Multiple billing codes will be included on the superbill.
Payment Policy: A credit card on file is required and will be charged at the conclusion of each appointment.
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Initial Evaluation (90 minutes): $550
Includes review of forms prior to the appointment, the visit, collateral communications, and documentation.
Extra Extended Follow-Up Visit (60 minutes): $400
Extended Follow-Up Visit (45 minutes): $300
Regular Follow-Up Visit (30 minutes): $200
Most patients will require an initial evaluation followed by regular follow-up visits every 1 to 3 months.
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Cancellations Less Than 48 Hours Before Appointment:
Charged 50% of the appointment fee
Cancellations Less Than 24 Hours Before Appointment:
Charged 100% of the appointment fee
Emergencies happen—we waive cancellation fees once per year per patient.
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Dr. Andrews cannot guarantee immediate assistance during a crisis.
If you or your child is experiencing a psychiatric emergency:
Go to the nearest emergency room
Call 911
Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
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Interested in scheduling with Dr. Andrews?
Fill Out the Contact Form Below
Receive a Callback: We'll set up a complimentary phone consultation to ensure we're the right fit and then find a time that works with your schedule.
Contact and Booking
To book an appointment or arrange for a complimentary 15 minute phone call, please fill out the form below and someone will be in touch within 72 business hours. Our contact form is HIPAA compliant. We look forward to working with you!