Yes. Dr. Marie Akers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a licensed psychiatric provider authorized to prescribe medications through our secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for children, teens, and young adults ages 5–25 across Florida. We follow evidence-based clinical guidelines to ensure safe, effective, and developmentally appropriate prescribing. Some controlled substances — including certain ADHD stimulant medications — may have additional requirements under Florida state regulations, which we will review with your family at the time of evaluation.

We require at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a telehealth appointment. This allows us to offer the time to another family waiting for psychiatric care. The following fees apply:

• No-show (no notice): $100 fee
• Cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice: $75 fee
• Cancellation with 24–48 hours' notice: No fee

These policies help us protect appointment availability for all families seeking concierge psychiatric care across Florida.

You can cancel or reschedule your child's telehealth appointment through our secure patient portal or by contacting our office directly at (813) 592-7228. We strongly recommend canceling at least 48 hours in advance to avoid cancellation fees and to ensure the appointment slot can be offered to another family. SHIELD Access members can also message Dr. Akers securely through the portal for scheduling support.

Your child's initial psychiatric evaluation is a confidential, unrushed telehealth session conducted entirely from the comfort of your home — no office visit required. During the evaluation, Dr. Akers conducts a comprehensive developmental and psychiatric assessment covering your child's symptoms, school functioning, family history, medical background, and treatment goals.

For new patients, the initial evaluation typically runs 75–90 minutes and results in a written diagnostic report and a personalized treatment roadmap. Follow-up visits focus on ADHD medication management, therapy recommendations, school collaboration, and ongoing clinical support. Parent participation is built into every visit for minor patients.

Yes. All telehealth appointments at SHIELD Psychiatry are fully confidential and HIPAA-compliant. Your child's health information, diagnoses, and treatment details are never shared without your written consent — except in legally mandated situations involving immediate safety concerns, as required by Florida state law. Our platform uses encrypted, secure video and messaging technology to protect your family's privacy at every step of care.

Uncertainty is one of the most common reasons Florida families reach out — and it's a completely valid place to start. If your child is struggling with attention, mood, anxiety, sleep, behavior, or school performance, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can clarify what's driving those challenges and whether treatment is clinically indicated. Dr. Akers will provide honest, evidence-based guidance on whether intervention is needed and what options fit your child's specific situation. Seeking a professional assessment is a proactive, empowering step — not a commitment to any particular treatment path.

Yes. SHIELD Psychiatry offers comprehensive ADHD evaluation and treatment for children, teens, and young adults ages 5–25 across Florida via telehealth. Our ADHD evaluation includes a detailed clinical diagnostic interview, standardized parent and teacher rating scales (Vanderbilt or Conners), review of school records, and QbCheck™ objective ADHD testing — an FDA-cleared computerized test that measures attention, impulsivity, and activity level — when clinically indicated. We assess symptoms across home, school, and social settings to ensure an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan that fits your child's life.

Dr. Marie Akers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, PMHS holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Florida — the highest clinical degree in nursing practice — and is triple board-certified across psychiatric mental health, pediatric primary care, and pediatric mental health specialty practice.

• PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, board-certified (ANCC)
• PPCNP-BC — Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, board-certified (ANCC)
• PMHS — Pediatric Mental Health Specialist (NCBP)
• Licensed in Florida | DEA Certified | 20+ years pediatric clinical experience

Dr. Akers is authorized to independently diagnose, treat, and prescribe for a full range of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions in children, teens, and young adults across Florida.

SHIELD Psychiatry is designed for Florida families who want doctoral-level, concierge psychiatric care without long waitlists, rushed appointments, or one-size-fits-all treatment. We may be a strong fit if you are looking for:

• A comprehensive ADHD evaluation with objective QbCheck™ testing for your child or teen
• Evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, insomnia, or autism spectrum concerns
• A provider who coordinates with your child's school, pediatrician, and therapist
• Transparent self-pay pricing or insurance through Headway (Aetna, Cigna, SmartHealth, Carelon)
• Telehealth care from the comfort of your home — no office visit, no referral required

If you're unsure whether we're the right fit, we recommend starting with our free pre-screen questionnaire. Dr. Akers reviews every submission personally and responds within 24 hours with honest, individualized guidance.