Psychiatric Evaluation: An interview process to help better understand the symptoms, struggles, weaknesses, strengths, biological factors and psychosocial support and stressors impacting an individual’s emotional, social and academic/financial wellbeing. From a psychiatric evaluation a diagnosis is usually assigned but that diagnosis does not always stay the same. Sometimes more information comes to light later in sessions or symptoms that at first seemed to fit into one diagnosis appear more related to a different one. Regardless, a diagnosis is just a tool that practitioners use to help drive treatment planning. Historically, mental health diagnoses are accompanied with negative connotations and stigma. It is important to remember that the diagnosis is just pointing us to a path to help treat the problem, and it is not set in stone.
Medication management: If determined beneficial and warranted, medication may be part of the treatment. During the first medication management session options will be discussed and risks, benefits, side effects and dosing instructions will be reviewed. It can be frustrating at times to find a medication that best fits ones needs. Unfortunately, there is some trial and error involved because there is no perfect pill out there, not all symptoms completely disappear and because we are all so different, we each respond differently to medication. I often tell clients that finding the best medication for your body and for your needs can be like finding a good pair of jeans and that sometimes you must try on several pairs until you can find the right fit. Some medications, like jeans on a rack, appear to be a good match but when tried, do not fit your needs or cause unmanageable side effects. Other times medication are found to be effective, but dosages need to be adjusted to get the best result.
Many parents express concern about putting their children on medication, and this is completely understandable because they love their children and looking out for their best interest. That said, the benefits of taking medication can outweigh the cost and research has shown that certain disorders treated early with medication can have better outcomes than left alone. It is important to have a provider that understands these concerns and collaborates with you to address them, while also recognizing when medication will be beneficial and warranted. In my practice, I strongly believe in ‘starting low and going slow’, determining if side effects are ‘deal breakers’ and trying to find the best fit at the lowest dose for the best effect. I will always try to provide a comprehensive outlook on your child’s symptoms and how it can be managed.
Therapy: Therapy is a fundamental part of mental health treatment and overall wellbeing. While some symptoms can be managed with medication alone, many are best treated with therapy and for some behaviors, there is no pill that will help, and therapy is the only form of treatment. Most often therapy and medication work best in conjunction with each other and together they provide synergistic effects.
Types of Therapy
- Eclectic
- Emotionally Focused
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic
Client Focus
- Children (6 to 10)
- Preteens / Tweens (11 to 13)
- Adolescents / Teenagers (14 to 19)
- Adults
Specialties
- Child or Adolescent
- ADHD
