ConnectiCare Psychiatrist for Derby, CT — In-Network and Ready to See You

Derby is a small city with a real identity — it's tight-knit, working, built along the Naugatuck River across from Shelton. And like a lot of smaller Connecticut cities, access to mental health care can be genuinely hard here. Not because people don't need it — they do — but because a lot of providers in the area don't take ConnectiCare, or have waitlists that stretch months out. Elite Health LLC is in-network with ConnectiCare and accepting new patients from Derby right now. No waitlist games.

Sindhia Shyras, APRN is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over nine years of experience. She sees Derby patients via telehealth — so you're not driving to New Haven or anywhere else — and in person at the New Britain office if you prefer a face-to-face visit. Self-pay is also available. Either way, you're getting real psychiatric care from someone who's been doing this a long time.

ConnectiCare Coverage for Psychiatric Services

ConnectiCare is one of Connecticut's original health plans — a local insurer, not a national brand. They offer HMO, PLUS (open-access), Medicare Advantage, and employer group plans. All of them include mental health coverage under the Connecticut Mental Health Parity Act, which requires psychiatric care to be covered at the same level as medical care. Your psychiatric evaluation, medication management follow-ups, and telehealth appointments are covered benefits. Specialist copays typically run $20–$50 depending on your specific plan. And when prior authorization is required, the practice handles it — you don't have to navigate that yourself.

Conditions Sindhia Treats

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic disorder, insomnia, mood disorders. Nine years of practice means she's seen a wide range — from first-time patients who've never been diagnosed to people who've been through multiple providers and systems that didn't quite fit. The initial evaluation takes about an hour. It's long enough to actually understand what's going on before recommending anything. From there, she builds a care plan: medication management, supportive therapy, or both — based on what your situation calls for.

HMO vs. PLUS — What It Means for You

If you have a ConnectiCare HMO plan, your PCP may need to issue a referral before you can see Sindhia as a specialist. It's a simple step — most PCPs can send referrals electronically within a day. If you have ConnectiCare PLUS, you have open access and can book directly without any referral. Not sure which plan you're on? Check your insurance card, log in at connecticare.com, or call our office at 860-515-8689 before you schedule. We verify coverage during intake and can help clarify before your first appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions