Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How do I schedule an appointment?
The quickest, easiest way to schedule an appointment is online. If you are uncomfortable with making an appointment using the secure website, please call the office at 941-500-9292.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, CRC is accepting new patients at this time for both behavioral health and physical therapy (PT).
What are the office hours?
The official office hours are from 9 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday. However, the providers can see patients on off-hours, if necessary.
Why doesn't CRC accept insurance plans?
Even though Core Revitalizing Center does not accept direct insurance payments, the services provided in the Lakewood Ranch office by Dr. Tariq Halim or Dr. Banu Acan, DPT may be reimbursed by your insurance plan directly to you (the insured).
Please read the Billing section.
If I schedule an appointment online and change my mind, do I forfeit the deposit?
If you cancel your appointment within 48 hours, the deposit is refunded in full.
Do I need to fill out an intake packet or other paperwork before I see a provider?
The forms will be provided for you to sign at the time of the appointment. To expedite the process, please review the forms online beforehand.
Why do I have to put a deposit to schedule an appointment?
Unlike most medical practices, Core Revitalizing Center does not overbook or schedule back-to-back appointments. In order to continue this set-up, the deposit made when scheduling online is to show your commitment to care at the Lakewood Ranch office.
Behavioral Health
Why would someone need to see a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist can be of particular help if your mental health condition:
- is complex or difficult to diagnose
- involves suicidal ideas or plans
- is severe or happens suddenly
- needs medication that only a psychiatrist can prescribe
- isn’t responding to standard treatment through your PCP (Family Doctor/Pediatrician).
What are some common reasons a person would see a psychiatrist?
- Problems adjusting after major life changes or stress
- Anxiety, worry or fear
- Depressed or low mood that doesn’t go away
- Suicidal thinking
- Thoughts of hurting other people
- Hurting yourself on purpose
- Too much energy, being unable to sleep, wind down or relax
- Constant negative thoughts
- Obsessional thinking
- Feeling on edge or jumpy
- Feeling like people are after you or want to harm you
- Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there)
- Delusions (fixed beliefs with no basis in reality)
- Rushing, disjointed thoughts
- Out of control alcohol or drug use
- Problem gambling, gaming or other addictive behaviors
- Problems around body image, eating or dieting
- Memory problems
- Poor concentration and attention, hyperactivity
- Violence, agitation or emotional outbursts
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Conditions that start in childhood such as autism, intellectual disability and childhood anxiety
I have been on the same medications for many years, but need to find a new psychiatrist. Will Dr. Halim change all my medications?
Dr. Halim respects the transition/continuity of care process and will continue your medication regimen if you are clinically stable.
Do I need to come in every month if I just need refills for ADHD medications?
The DEA allows providers to write for 90 days of Schedule II Controlled Medications at each appointment. If you are stable on your current regimen, monthly appointments are not required.
Does Dr. Halim speak English?
Yes. Dr. Halim is an original Floridian, born and raised in Hollywood/Pembroke Pines. He does not have an accent.
PS: I have been asked this question many times…
Physical Therapy/Hijama (Wet Cupping)
Why would I need physical therapy?
Most people can benefit from physical therapy, whether their condition varies from a simple ankle sprain to a complex neurological disorder. You may benefit from physical therapy even if you are not injured. Physical therapists, as movement experts, can help you prevent injury or illness.
Physical therapists focus on relieving pain, promoting healing, restoring function and movement, and facilitation and adaptation associated with injury. Therapy also focuses on ergonomics or body mechanic training, fitness, and wellness. So, as you can see, physical therapy can play a role in most people’s lives. Regardless of your age, if you have a problem with normal mobility, you may benefit from working with a physical therapist to help you return to optimal function.
What are the common reasons someone sees a physical therapist?
- Neck pain and low back pain
- Arthritis in one or multiple joints
- Fractures and other orthopedic conditions
- Bowel or bladder incontinence
- Problems with balance or mobility
- Chronic fatigue and weakness
- Pre- and post-surgical conditioning and strengthening
- Cancer recovery
- Fitness and wellness education including weight loss and prevention of osteoporosis
- Respiratory problems / poor cardiovascular endurance
- Cardiac rehab
- Knee, ankle and foot problems
- Shoulder, arm, hand and wrist problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder tendonitis
- Pre- and post-partum programs
- Neuro-rehabilitation, such as post-stroke and spinal cord or head injury
- Common sprains and muscle strains
- Work-related injuries such as repetitive motion injuries, slip and fall accidents and other trauma
- Sports-related injuries
What is Hijama (Wet Cupping)?
Hijama as a form of traditional medicine is used for treatment and prevention of diseases and maintenance of homeostasis. Recently, UFC fighters, Olympic athletes, and celebrities have been touting the benefits of the wet-cupping for treatment of specific disease states and overall wellness. Hijama has been clinically shown to be a natural way to reduce joint and muscle pain, assist with digestive ailments, enhance immune response, and treat skin conditions. Wet cupping, unlike dry cupping, requires a skin incision. The skin incision can be made either before or after cupping treatment. The cup is meant to suck out any impurities in the body which may include blood, toxins, fragmented blood cells, and tissue fluid.
About Our Services
Psychiatric Care
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. People seek psychiatric help for many reasons. The problems can be sudden, such as a panic attack, frightening hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or hearing “voices.” Or they may be more long-term, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiousness that never seem to lift or problems functioning, causing everyday life to feel distorted or out of control.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that includes the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of individuals with limitations in functional mobility. Physical therapy services are provided by physical therapists, who are professionals licensed by the state in which they work. Physical therapists (or PTs, as they are commonly called) are required to have a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate degree from an accredited institution and must sit for a licensing exam to practice. They are trained to assess your condition and help you regain maximal functional mobility and independence.
Hijama (Wet Cupping)
Hijama, also known as ‘wet cupping’ or ‘cupping therapy’ is a traditional Arabic medicine where blood is drawn by vacuum from a small skin incision for therapeutic purposes. Hijama therapy rids the body of harmful pathogens by drawing out the excess blood lying dormant underneath the skin. Research has shown considerable pathological differences in the healthy blood in the veins and the stagnant blood underneath the skin. Hijama forces the body to increase its blood circulation and boosts the immune system allowing the body to use its natural resources to heal itself. It is a natural way to alleviate pain and treat many illnesses.
