Medication Treatment

The decision of whether or not to prescribe psychiatric medication is a very significant one. There are many misconceptions about psychiatric medications, especially for those prescribed to children, and many questions and concerns that I work diligently to clarify and explain. I work closely with the patient, and when appropriate, the parents, to discuss how therapy and temporary medication can work together to enable them to resume their life. 

I am conservative and deliberate in my approach to medication with any patient. On one hand, they may be completely unnecessary, yet on the other, they may be the critical factor that determines success. My priority is what makes the healthiest sense for each patient and, by extension, each family seeking my care. 

At appropriate times, adding medication to therapy can be critical to success. Medication may decrease harmful behaviors and thoughts, and may even be necessary to regain health and mental and physical well being. Some medications work very fast, within hours, for example, to reduce anxiety and hyperactivity. Other medications, especially those for mood disorders like depression, can take many weeks or months to become fully effective.

Once a medication is started, adjustments will be made accordingly. Close contact in between sessions with quick “touch base” phone calls and spacing follow-up sessions every 2 weeks are typically required after initiating a medication. The frequency of these visits and contact will decrease based on the outcome of the treatment.