If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call or text 988, call 911, or call Hawaii CARES at (808) 832-3100. This practice is not an emergency service.

Telehealth · Hawaii

Substance use and mental health care, in the same visit.

Care for opioid, alcohol, stimulant, and tobacco use, with co-occurring mental health care in the same visit, from one clinician. Low barrier and no judgment: your goal sets the plan, whether that is cutting back, stopping completely, or using in a safer way.

Now accepting new patients Free 15-minute call Secure video visits Anywhere in Hawaii Adults
Dual board certifiedPMHNP-BC and AGACNP-BC
10+ yearsCritical care and addiction medicine
Hawaii licensedAPRN with prescriptive authority
Statewide telehealthEvery island, by video or phone

Confidential by design. Substance use records carry extra federal protection under 42 CFR Part 2, and self-pay means no insurance trail unless you ask for a superbill.

The approach

Care that starts with a real conversation

I meet you where you are at. Care combines medication treatment with motivational interviewing and brief behavioral support, in the same visit, with the same clinician. I believe people can change, and the plan should fit your life, not the other way around.

01

One clinician, both sides of care

Substance use and mental health care from the same clinician. Already have a psychiatrist you like? Keep them. With your permission, I coordinate with them.

02

Your goal sets the plan

Cutting back, stopping completely, or using in a safer way. Whatever the substance, we build the plan around your goal and review it together as things change.

03

Straight answers up front

You will know what I can and cannot prescribe before you book, starting with the limit in the FAQ below. No surprises after you have paid for a visit.

Robert Benard, psychiatric nurse practitioner

About the clinician

Robert Benard, RN, MS, CNS, AGACNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

I am a nurse practitioner, double board certified in psychiatric-mental health and adult-gerontology acute care, with a background in addiction medicine, crisis stabilization, and critical care. I work by telehealth across Hawaii.

Plenty of patients see me for substance use care and their own psychiatrist for mental health. Either way works.

  • Hawaii: APRN-6288, with prescriptive authority
  • Focus: Substance use disorders with co-occurring mental health care
  • States served: Hawaii only. You must be physically located in Hawaii at the time of the visit.

I believe people can change, and the plan should fit your life, not the other way around.

Robert Benard, PMHNP-BC

Services

How care works here

Three steps: a free call to check fit, a full first visit to build your plan, then shorter follow-ups where we adjust the plan as you go.

01

Free consultation

A 15-minute call with me, not a coordinator, to see if we are a good fit. No diagnosis and no prescribing on this call.

About the free call

02

Initial evaluation

A 45-minute first visit. We talk through your history, what you have already tried, and what you want to be different, then build your plan together.

About evaluations

03

Medication care

Non-controlled prescribing for Hawaii patients, explained in plain language. For opioid use, education and guidance around buprenorphine when another provider prescribes it, plus comfort medications for withdrawal symptoms.

About medication care

04

Follow-up visits

30-minute visits to review how you are doing, adjust the plan, and handle refills and monitoring.

About follow-ups

What I help with

Substance use, and the mental health care that goes with it

The goal is simple: fewer cravings, help getting through opioid withdrawal symptoms, a steadier mood, better sleep, and a plan you can actually keep.

  • Opioid use
  • Alcohol use
  • Stimulant use
  • Tobacco and nicotine
  • Cannabis use
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar and mood disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Sleep problems
  • Trauma

How it runs

Modern care, minus the friction

No waiting rooms, no phone tag, no paper forms in the mail. The practice runs on modern tools so your time goes to the visit, not the logistics.

Secure video visits

Meet by encrypted video from wherever you are in Hawaii. Phone visits are available for consults and follow-ups.

Book online in minutes

See real availability and book the free 15-minute call or your visit online, any time of day.

Digital intake

Forms arrive electronically before your first visit, so the session itself is conversation, not paperwork.

E-prescribing

Prescriptions go electronically to your pharmacy. No paper scripts to carry or lose.

Between-visit messaging

A secure way to reach the practice between appointments for refills and follow-up questions.

Fees

Simple, flat fees.

Visits are self-pay for now, at a flat fee per visit. Credentialing with HMSA is in progress, and insurance billing will be added once it is complete. You can use HSA or FSA funds. Every patient receives a Good Faith Estimate, and a superbill is available for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Initial evaluation

$250

45 minutes

  • Full history and goals
  • A starting plan built with you
  • Time for your questions

Follow-up visits

$200

30 minutes

  • Review of symptoms and side effects
  • Plan and medication adjustment
  • Refills and monitoring

Start with the free 15-minute call. See the full fee schedule and the insurance and payment page for details.

Common questions

Before you reach out

Do you accept insurance?

Not directly, yet. Visits are self-pay for now. Fees are flat: $250 for the 45-minute initial evaluation and $200 for a 30-minute follow-up, and the first 15-minute call is free. Credentialing with HMSA is in progress, and insurance billing will be added once it is complete. HSA and FSA funds can be used, and a superbill is available for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Can you prescribe medication?

Yes, with one limit to know up front. I sit in California, so for patients in Hawaii I prescribe non-controlled medications only. I do not prescribe Suboxone, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs such as Ambien, or ADHD stimulants. For opioid use, I provide education and guidance on starting buprenorphine when another provider prescribes it, plus comfort medications to help with withdrawal symptoms. If you need a medication I do not prescribe, I will help you find the right clinician.

Are visits in person or online?

Online only, by secure video. You must be physically located in Hawaii during the appointment.

What happens in the first visit?

The first appointment is a 45-minute evaluation. We talk about your history, current symptoms, medications, and goals, and build your plan together. Bring a list of current medications and any recent records you want reviewed.

What if I am in crisis?

This practice is not an emergency or crisis service and does not offer around-the-clock coverage. If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or call Hawaii CARES at (808) 832-3100, which can send local help in Hawaii.

Which states do you see patients in?

Hawaii only. You must be physically located in Hawaii at the time of the visit.

Let’s begin

Reach out when you’re ready

The first step is a free 15-minute call with me, just to see if we are a good fit. Please allow 2 business days for a reply to messages.

Booking runs through Carepatron, a secure scheduling and video platform.

Message sent. Thank you. Replies go out within 2 business days. This form is not for emergencies: in a crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.

This form is not for emergencies and is not a secure place to share medical details.