When to Refer
DEFINITION
- This module discusses the times during which a provider should refer a patient to a psychiatrist or other trained mental health professional. - See the Psychiatric Providers module for descriptions of the various types of mental health professionals.
 
- Please see attached example of a mental health services referral form.
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Last updated: July 16, 2025
Citation
Ruble, Anne E, and Vinay Parekh. "When to Refer." Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2025. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787016/all/When_to_Refer. 
Ruble AE, Parekh V. When to Refer. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787016/all/When_to_Refer. Accessed October 30, 2025.
Ruble, A. E., & Parekh, V. (2025). When to Refer. In Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787016/all/When_to_Refer
Ruble AE, Parekh V. When to Refer [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. [cited 2025 October 30]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787016/all/When_to_Refer.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY  -  ELEC
T1  -  When to Refer
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A1  -  Ruble,Anne,M.D., M.P.H.
AU  -  Parekh,Vinay,M.D.
Y1  -  2025/07/16/
BT  -  Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
UR  -  https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787016/all/When_to_Refer
PB  -  The Johns Hopkins University
DB  -  Johns Hopkins Guides
DP  -  Unbound Medicine
ER  -  

 Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide

