Psychiatric Evaluations and Medication Management

We believe that psychiatry services and medication management are often an essential part of your treatment. As such, our  nurse practitioner is focused on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral issues through psychotherapy and medication.

• Psychiatric Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

• Psychotherapy & Medication Management

• Tailored To Your Needs

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Is THIS Right For You?

• Do you often feel overwhelmed?

• Does anxiety, depression, and negative outlooks occupy your daily thoughts?

• Do you feel you are losing focus in school, at work, or with daily activities?

• Have you found it hard to find what’s improving your mental health?

• Would you like to try or continue Psychiatric services?

If you answer YES to any of these questions, an evaluation and medication management may be right for you.

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Taking medication to help with mental health issues is relatively common; in fact, one in six Americans take medication as part of their mental health plan. If you are taking or exploring medication, you are not an "extreme case", you are not alone. 

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Not every mental health issue is best treated with medication. Low self esteem issues, as an example, can not be treated with medication. In these scenarios, therapy is likely the best approach. Oftentimes, a combination of medication and therapy makes for the best mental health plan. Someone with an anxiety disorder, for example, can ameliorate anxiety via medication while also building tools in therapy to deal with the disorder.

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In other cases, however, medications is the main component of a mental health plan, as with depression related to chemical imbalances in the brain.

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The Pros and Cons of Medication

It is important for patients to consider the pros and cons of medication before making a decision:

Pros:

• An effective part of the holistic approach

• Can speed recovery

• Ameliorates symptoms so that patient can focus on therapy

• Improves quality of life

• Addresses issues of biology

Cons:

• May come with side effects

• Needs the management of a mental health professional to avoid dangers

• Finding dosage balance can take time

• Can come with stigma

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What to Expect In Your Sessions.

You’ll be scheduled to see one of our Psychiatry providers for a 1-hour initial intake. During that time, the physician or nurse practitioner will ask you about the symptoms that are distressing you, gather information regarding your medical history including what medications you are taking and if you have any physical medical problems or concerns. They’ll also ask you about your family history, your academic, work, and relationship stressors as well as assess your use of substances and how that might be affecting your overall health.

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By the end of the intake, they will make recommendations for treatment tailored to your concerns and may include: 

• Medications 

• Lab work

• Therapy 

• Nutrition goals

• Exercise recommendations

• Sleep hygiene

• Referral to any other medical specialty relevant to your needs

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Your Practitioner will want to see you regularly for 30-minute follow-up visits in order to reassess your symptoms and to ensure you are making progress.

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*You will be required to see our APRN, FNP-BC before requesting existing medication refills.

*Medical services are available EXISTING and NEW therapy clients of Appalachian Counseling Center 

*Medical services are available via video for EXISTING and NEW therapy clients in West Virginia

*Medical services are available in person for EXISTING and NEW therapy clients in Marion Co., Monongalia Co., Harrison Co., Taylor Co., and Wetzel Co.