Online Psychiatrist in Waterloo & Cedar Falls, IA
Care provided by Samuel Omolade, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner licensed in Iowa.
Iowa has one of the lowest numbers of psychiatric prescribers per person in the country, and the Cedar Valley feels it. New-patient waits of weeks or months are common. Samz Mental Health sees adults in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and the surrounding area by secure video, usually the same day or the next, for evaluation, diagnosis and medication management. No referral is needed.
Usually same day or next day
Secure video, anywhere in Iowa
$120 first visit, $90 follow-ups
Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Optum, Carelon
Who We See in Waterloo & Cedar Falls
Waterloo’s tractor and engine plants, meatpacking and manufacturing jobs mean many of our patients work long, physical shifts, often on rotating schedules. Taking a half-day off for a psychiatric appointment isn’t easy, and short video follow-ups before or after a shift fit much better. Waterloo is also home to a diverse community, including many refugee and immigrant families who have settled in the area.
Across the river in Cedar Falls, we see University of Northern Iowa students and staff, teachers, healthcare workers, and families who want care without a drive to Iowa City or Des Moines. Long Iowa winters make seasonal depression and sleep problems common reasons people book.
What We Treat
Visits cover psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and medication management for adults. Common reasons people book:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression, including postpartum depression
- PTSD and trauma and OCD
- Bipolar disorder and insomnia
- Medication management and prescriber transfers
- ESA letter evaluations in Iowa
Crisis and Mental Health Help in Black Hawk County
Your Life Iowa, the statewide crisis line, is available 24/7 at 855-581-8111 (text 855-895-8398). UNI students can also contact the university’s counseling center. Anyone can call or text 988 at any hour, and in an emergency, call 911. Telepsychiatry is for ongoing care and isn’t a substitute for emergency services.
Waterloo & Cedar Falls Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
We see patients across Waterloo, from Downtown and the east side to the neighborhoods along University Avenue and Crossroads, and across Cedar Falls, from College Hill and Main Street to the newer areas on the west side. We also see patients in Evansdale, Hudson, Waverly, La Porte City, Independence and Grundy Center. Any location in Iowa works, as long as you’re in the state when the visit starts.
Cost and Insurance
Self-pay is $120 for the first visit and $90 for follow-ups, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted. We’re in-network with Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Carelon Behavioral Health, so insured patients usually pay their specialist copay. We don’t accept Medicaid (Iowa Health Link), Medicare or TRICARE. See insurance and pricing details.
How a First Visit Works
- Book a time in the online portal, often for the same day. No referral is needed.
- Fill out a short intake form about your symptoms, history and medications.
- Meet by secure video from a private spot in Iowa.
- If medication fits your plan, it’s sent to your local pharmacy. Follow-ups take 15 to 30 minutes.
Waterloo & Cedar Falls Patient Questions
Can visits fit around plant or warehouse shifts?
Yes. Follow-ups are 15- to 30-minute video visits, so they can be booked before a shift, after it or on a day off.
Can UNI students book?
Yes, adult students can book with an in-network plan or self-pay, as long as they’re in Iowa or another licensed state during the visit.
Do you see patients in Evansdale, Hudson, Waverly and Independence?
Yes. Visits work anywhere in Iowa with a stable internet or cell connection.
How soon can I be seen?
Usually the same day or the next morning.
Who do I call in a crisis in Black Hawk County?
Call or text 988 any time, or contact Your Life Iowa, available 24/7 at 855-581-8111 (text 855-895-8398). In an emergency, call 911.
Book a Video Visit from the Cedar Valley
Same-day appointments are often available. No referral needed.