Online Mental Health Short-Term Disability & Paid Leave Evaluation
When Mental Health Symptoms Affect Your Ability to Work, the Right Evaluation and Expert Documentation Matters
Amica Clinical Consulting provides specialized online psychological evaluations for adults seeking short-term disability (STD), paid medical leave, and related mental health disability documentation.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions can sometimes cause significant difficulties performing your job duties. If you are experiencing symptoms that interfere with your ability to perform your job responsibilities, you may be considering short-term disability (STD) benefits or paid medical leave.
This is not a brief paperwork appointment. Our evaluations are designed to provide a clinical assessment, detailed medical documentation, and individualized treatment and recovery recommendations, including leave from work—typically within a single appointment.
Every evaluation includes standardized clinical assessment and a detailed evaluation note/report documenting relevant findings, functional limitations, clinical rationale, and individualized recommendations.
Online evaluations are available to adults physically located in the following states and jurisdictions at the time of their appointment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Licensed Psychologist | Transparent Fees | Timely Documentation When Supported
Leave documentation and related recommendations are based on clinical findings and cannot be guaranteed.
Questions? Send Us a Secure Message (no charge) or Schedule an Optional 15-minute Pre-Evaluation Meet & Greet ($75)
Can You Get Short-Term Disability or Paid Leave for Depression, Anxiety, or Other Mental Health Conditions?
Yes. Mental health conditions may qualify for short-term disability or paid medical leave when symptoms and functional limitations meet the requirements of the applicable insurance policy, employer benefit plan, or state program.
Conditions evaluated may include depression, anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, postpartum depression or anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions affecting occupational functioning.
A diagnosis alone does not establish disability.
Insurers and paid-leave administrators may require clinical evidence explaining how symptoms affect your ability to perform essential job duties.
For example, symptoms may interfere with concentration, memory, decision-making, attendance, emotional regulation, productivity, communication, sleep, energy, or the ability to maintain a consistent work schedule.
Our evaluations focus on understanding your current mental health condition, how it affects your functioning and ability to work, and what treatment and recovery recommendations may be appropriate.
What Does Your Mental Health Short-Term Disability/Paid Leave Evaluation Include?
The fee covers professional services performed before, during, and after your appointment—not just the time spent meeting with the psychologist. Fees for form completion are separate and based on the type of form.
1. Pre-Evaluation Review
Your psychologist reviews your detailed intake questionnaire, clinical history, symptoms, treatment background, records, documents/forms, and relevant supporting information before your visit.
2. Clinical Interview & Standardized Assessment
Your evaluation includes a focused clinical interview and the administration, scoring, and interpretation of standardized mental health measures to assess symptom severity, inform diagnostic findings, and guide treatment recommendations.
3. Functional & Disability Assessment
We assess how your symptoms affect daily activities and work responsibilities, including functional limitations and restrictions.
Continuous leave evaluations also include a standardized disability and functioning assessment, with professional scoring and interpretation.
4. Detailed Clinical Evaluation Note/Report
The evaluation includes a detailed clinical note/report documenting, as applicable:
Relevant clinical history and presenting concerns
Clinical findings and standardized assessment results
Diagnostic conclusions and supporting rationale
Daily and occupational functioning, including limitations and restrictions
Medical necessity of leave, when applicable
Treatment recommendations and recovery planning
Return-to-work considerations and recommendations
Your clinical documentation is provided through our secure patient portal and may be submitted by you as supporting evidence for short-term disability or paid medical leave claims.
Most focused evaluations can be completed in one appointment.
Leave Evaluation Appointment Types & Fees
Evaluation fees cover the evaluation. Fees for time to complete forms are separate and listed below. Note: These focused services do not include comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive conditions such as ADHD, autism, dementia, traumatic brain injury, or learning disabilities.
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$750 | Up to 90 Minutes
For patients whose current mental health symptoms may require a continuous absence from work under FMLA, state-based medical leave, or short-term disability.
Includes extended assessment of clinical symptoms, occupational functioning, work-related limitations, and standardized disability measures.
Initial leave scope: Up to four weeks of continuous leave may be considered, when clinically supported.
When to schedule: You have started leave within approximately the past 15 days or intend to begin leave on the day of or the day following your evaluation.
If you're uncertain whether continuous leave is necessary, you may schedule the Limited Focused Mental Health Evaluation first typically used for intermittent FMLA.
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$1,350 | Up to 2.5 Hours
For patients who submitted documentation from another provider and would like a more specialized evaluation due to claims being denied or whose existing clinical evidence was considered insufficient.
Includes an extended clinical and functional assessment, review of relevant medical records and claim documentation, and focused psychological assessment measures when clinically indicated.
Comprehensive psychological testing is not included and would be discussed separately if needed. This evaluation does not guarantee leave will be recommended, but a detailed evaluation will be conducted.
Before scheduling: Please provide the denial letter or request for additional evidence, previously submitted documentation, and relevant medical records for review.
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$300 | Up to 60 Minutes
For patients evaluated by us within the previous 90 days for the same episode of work incapacity who need reassessment of continued medical leave.
Includes assessment of current symptoms, treatment progress, functional limitations, and ongoing medical necessity.
Required: Updated treatment records or a clinical progress summary from your ongoing treatment provider.
Leave extensions are based on clinical findings and are not automatic.
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$300 | Up to 60 Minutes
For patients evaluated by Amica within the previous 90 days for the same episode of work incapacity who need assessment of their readiness to return to work.
Includes review of treatment progress, current functioning, and clinically appropriate return-to-work recommendations or restrictions.
Required: Updated treatment information and relevant employer documentation.
This does not include a formal independent occupational fitness-for-duty examination.
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Fee & Duration: Individualized Estimate
For patients experiencing prolonged work incapacity, complex diagnostic concerns, or clinical circumstances requiring more comprehensive assessment.
Examples include extended leave of approximately 12 weeks or longer, persistent functional impairment despite treatment, or diagnostic uncertainty.
Evaluation may involve additional interviews, medical record review, and psychological testing when clinically indicated.
Please contact Amica before scheduling so we can determine the appropriate evaluation scope and provide an estimate.
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Federal FMLA certification forms: No charge
State medical leave certification forms: No charge
Short-term disability or other paid-leave forms: $150
Simple return-to-work forms (1–2 pages): No charge
Complex return-to-work forms: $150
Corrections of Amica documentation errors: No charge
Additional or subsequently requested forms, letters, or documentation modifications: $75 per 15 minutes of clinician time, when clinically appropriate and permitted by applicable law.
Please upload all applicable forms before your evaluation. Forms submitted after the appointment may require additional clinician time and fees. If an updated clinical assessment is necessary, a follow-up evaluation may be required.
Important: Evaluation fees cover the professional clinical assessment regardless of whether medical leave certification can be supported. We cannot guarantee certification, a particular leave duration, or approval of benefits.
Forms are only completed after an evaluation and when medically supported.
Why Do Short-Term Disability Claims (or Paid Leave Programs) Require Detailed Clinical Evidence?
Unlike a routine medical note confirming a diagnosis, short-term disability documentation may need to explain why a health condition currently prevents someone from performing their work responsibilities.
Insurers and disability administrators may require evidence addressing several important questions:
What mental health symptoms and clinical findings are present?
How severe are the symptoms, and how do they affect functioning?
What specific work-related activities are limited?
How do the limitations relate to the person's essential job duties?
What treatment is recommended or underway?
What is the anticipated course of recovery?
Is a period of work incapacity medically supported?
What considerations may affect a safe and sustainable return to work?
A brief appointment or general doctor's note may not provide sufficient information to answer these questions in some cases.
Our evaluations are designed to address these clinical issues through structured assessment and careful documentation.
The goal is to provide an evaluation of your condition and functional abilities—not a predetermined disability certification or guaranteed benefits outcome.
Who May Benefit From a Mental Health Short-Term Disability Evaluation?
Our services may be appropriate if:
Your mental health symptoms are currently interfering with your ability to work.
You need a clinical evaluation for short-term disability or paid medical leave.
Your therapist, psychiatrist, or primary care provider does not complete disability-related evaluations or forms.
You need a detailed assessment of work-related functional limitations.
Your existing clinical records do not adequately explain the impact of your mental health condition.
You need an initial evaluation and treatment recommendations before arranging ongoing care elsewhere.
Before scheduling, confirm that your short-term disability insurance carrier or paid-leave program accepts clinical documentation from a licensed psychologist.
Some programs require information from ongoing treating providers or impose other provider and documentation requirements.
Short-Term Disability vs. Paid Medical Leave vs. FMLA
These benefits are related, but they serve different purposes. Additionally, there are some paid leave programs that are employer-based.
Short-Term Disability (STD)
Short-term disability generally provides partial wage replacement when a covered illness or disability prevents an eligible individual from working.
Benefits may be offered through an employer-sponsored insurance plan or an individual policy.
Eligibility, benefit amounts, duration, and required evidence depend on the terms of the applicable policy.
State Paid Medical Leave
Certain states offer paid medical leave programs that provide wage-replacement benefits to eligible employees who cannot work because of a qualifying health condition.
Provider qualifications, benefit periods, documentation requirements, and other rules vary by state.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Federal FMLA generally provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons.
FMLA does not itself provide wage replacement. However, it may run concurrently with STD or state paid-leave benefits when applicable.
Patients may require documentation for multiple programs associated with the same period of mental health-related work incapacity.
Our Extended Focused Mental Health Evaluation can address the clinical need for continuous leave in connection with these programs, with applicable additional form fees.
How the Short-Term Disability Evaluation Process Works
Step 1: Request an Evaluation
Review the appointment descriptions and select the option that matches your situation.
All requests are screened before confirmation.
Step 2: Complete Intake Forms & Submit Records
Complete practice forms and your clinical history and intake questionnaire through the secure patient portal.
Upload any applicable disability forms, relevant treatment records, claim documentation, and information about your essential job duties.
Step 3: Attend Your Clinical Evaluation
Attend your secure telehealth appointment for your evaluation.
Step 4: Receive Your Clinical Report & Applicable Documentation
Following the evaluation, your detailed clinical report and any clinically supported forms will be provided through your secure patient portal.
Documentation is typically completed within approximately one week after the evaluation and receipt of all necessary records and forms. Complex cases may require additional time.
You may submit the applicable documentation to your insurer or paid-leave administrator.
Approval of benefits is determined by the applicable insurer, employer, leave administrator, state agency, or benefits program.
Janette Rodriguez, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Florida License #PY8153
PSYPACT Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology #11733
Why Choose Amica Clinical Consulting for a Short-Term Disability Evaluation?
Hello, I'm Dr. Janette Rodriguez, founder of Amica Clinical Consulting PLLC and a licensed psychologist.
When mental health symptoms interfere with your ability to work, you may be managing clinical concerns alongside financial uncertainty, employment responsibilities, and disability paperwork deadlines.
My approach is supportive, individualized, and clinically focused.
Rather than treating disability documentation as a routine paperwork request, I evaluate how mental health symptoms affect your daily functioning, essential job responsibilities, and current ability to work.
I also consider treatment needs, recovery, and whether temporary disability leave or work restrictions are clinically appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if my therapist, psychiatrist, or primary care provider will not complete my short-term disability paperwork?
Some treating providers complete disability documentation, while others do not offer employment- or disability-related evaluations as part of their practice. A provider may also need additional information or more time to assess your functioning before making a disability recommendation.
Amica provides focused psychological evaluations specifically for adults who need a more detailed assessment of mental health symptoms, functional impairment, work capacity, treatment needs, and whether short-term disability or paid-leave documentation is clinically supported.
Can you help if my disability or paid leave forms were delayed, questioned, or returned as incomplete?
Yes. We can provide a mental health short-term disability evaluation to determine what documentation may be clinically supported. When appropriate, we can complete clear, careful documentation for short-term disability, paid leave, employer-sponsored disability benefits, related leave claims, and/or FMLA. Approval is determined by the applicable insurer, employer, leave administrator, state agency, or benefits program.
How soon can I be seen?
We typically have appointments available within 1 week.
For short-term disability or paid leave evaluations, we generally recommend scheduling your evaluation on or near the date your leave begins. This helps ensure that the evaluation reflects your current symptoms, functioning, treatment needs, and work limitations.
Do you accept insurance?
No. We do not bill insurance, but can provide a superbill for you to submit for possible reimbursement from your healthcare insurance.
We accept all major credit cards.
What forms should I upload before my appointment?
Please upload any forms from your employer, insurance carrier, leave administrator, or paid leave program. If you are also applying for FMLA, please upload your FMLA forms as well.
You are also encouraged to upload relevant therapy records, psychiatry records, medication history, hospitalization or intensive outpatient records, a job description, or other records you would like reviewed.
How long can I take off work with short-term disability?
The recommended leave period depends on your symptoms, diagnosis, functional limitations, treatment needs, job demands, and documentation requirements.
When clinically supported, initial recommendations often focus on a short stabilization and treatment period of up to 4 weeks. Ongoing leave beyond the initial recommendation is usually best supported by your treating providers, such as your therapist, psychiatrist, or medical provider, because they can monitor your progress over time.
It is important to engage in follow-up care after the evaluation.
Can you complete clearance forms to return to work?
Return-to-work clearance is typically completed by your treating provider, such as your therapist, psychiatrist, or medical provider.
If your treating provider cannot complete the documentation, we may be able to complete a brief re-evaluation. This requires review of your treatment progress and updated records, which must be uploaded to the secure portal before the appointment.
Do you guarantee short-term disability approval?
No. We provide a psychological evaluation with recommendations, and documentation is completed only when clinically supported by the findings. Eligibility and approval decisions are made by the applicable insurer, employer, leave administrator, state agency, or benefits program.
How long does documentation take?
Reports, forms, or documentation are typically completed within 1 week when clinically indicated and after all required forms and records are received.
Incomplete forms, missing documentation, or complex documentation requirements may delay completion.
Do you provide treatment after the evaluation?
In some cases, yes. If we have availability and your clinical needs are within the scope of our therapy practice, we may offer short-term therapy focused on stabilization, coping skills, and treatment planning. When longer-term or specialized care is needed, we provide referrals whenever possible. We also understand that many individuals prefer an in-network provider for ongoing weekly therapy visits; since we are not in network with any insurance companies, we will do our best to provide referrals as needed.
Do you offer evaluations for conditions not listed here?
We provide evaluations within our areas of clinical focus and expertise. If your concern is not listed on this page, please review our other evaluation services, schedule a 15-minute Meet & Greet meeting, or contact us before scheduling.
This service is not appropriate for crisis care. If you are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
What This Evaluation Does Not Include
This service is not appropriate for:
Situations where there are legal matters or potential legal matters/litigation involved, forensic issues, or court-ordered evaluations
EEOC claims or litigation support
Psychiatric emergencies or crisis care
Immediate safety concerns
Non-mental-health medical conditions
Custody-related evaluations
Emotional support animal letters
Workplace conflict, harassment, or discrimination documentation
Initial diagnosis of ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, dementia, TBI, or other neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive conditions
This evaluation is focused on mental health-related short-term disability/paid leave needs and related documentation needs. It is not a substitute for emergency care, ongoing therapy, psychiatric medication management, legal advice, or benefits guidance.
If you have an attorney due to a legal or potential legal matter and would like to request our services, please have the attorney contact us directly to discuss the case and whether we are able to provide relevant services.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational and service purposes only and does not constitute legal or employment advice. Please verify eligibility and procedures with your employer’s HR or benefits department.