Medication decisions should follow a careful evaluation.
I do not begin by assuming that medication is necessary. The first task is to understand the symptoms, history, development, current circumstances, prior treatment, medical context, and other factors that may be contributing.
When medication is appropriate, the goal is to choose an approach that fits the person rather than simply the diagnosis. Medication management may be part of treatment for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric concerns.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
The diagnosis and treatment goals come first.
An adult assessment typically takes place over two 45-minute appointments. A child or adolescent assessment usually requires additional time and may include information from parents, caregivers, schools, or other clinicians. I do not prescribe medication at the first appointment.
The assessment is designed to clarify what medication would be intended to help, what alternatives should be considered, and what meaningful improvement would look like in daily life.
ONGOING CARE
Follow-up should answer practical questions.
Is the medication helping the symptoms it was intended to treat? Are there side effects? Has functioning improved at school, work, home, or in relationships? Is the dose still appropriate? Has the clinical picture changed?
For some patients, once treatment is established, follow-up becomes relatively focused and straightforward. Others benefit from more extensive psychiatric work or psychotherapy alongside medication management.
ADHD medication management
When ADHD is the right diagnosis, medication can be an important part of treatment. Evaluation should consider symptoms across time and settings, competing explanations, and the person’s broader functioning.
ADHD evaluation and treatmentAnxiety & depression
Medication may be considered when anxiety or depression is persistent or significantly affecting daily functioning. Treatment decisions should be individualized and may be combined with psychotherapy.
CHILDREN & TEENS
Medication decisions for younger patients require developmental context.
For children and adolescents, symptoms need to be understood in the context of development, family, school, sleep, learning, and information across settings. Parent involvement and coordination with other clinicians can be especially important when medication is part of treatment.
ADULTS
Adult medication management should still consider the whole person.
Work demands, relationships, sleep, medical history, prior response to treatment, substance use, stress, and broader psychiatric symptoms can all affect medication decisions. Medication may be the main treatment for some adults and one part of a broader plan for others.
INTEGRATED CARE
Medication is one part of psychiatric care.
Because I provide both medication management and psychotherapy, treatment can remain focused when that is all that is needed, or broaden when symptoms are connected to relationships, development, recurring patterns, identity, stress, or life circumstances.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about medication management.
What is psychiatric medication management?
Medication management includes deciding whether medication is appropriate, choosing an option based on the clinical picture, monitoring benefits and side effects, adjusting treatment when needed, and reassessing whether the medication is still useful over time.
Do you prescribe medication at the first appointment?
No. Medication decisions follow the initial assessment so that treatment is based on a thoughtful understanding of the person and the problem.
Does seeing a psychiatrist mean I will need medication?
No. Medication is one option. Some people benefit primarily from psychotherapy, further evaluation, or another kind of care.
Do you provide ADHD medication management?
Yes, when ADHD is the right diagnosis. Treatment follows an evaluation that considers symptoms across time and settings as well as other possible explanations.
Do you manage medication for anxiety and depression?
Yes. Medication may be useful when anxiety or depression is persistent or significantly affecting functioning, often alongside psychotherapy or other interventions.
Do you provide medication management for children and teenagers?
Yes. Medication decisions for younger patients are made in developmental context and often involve parent input and information from school or other clinicians.
Can medication management be combined with psychotherapy?
Yes. Because I provide both, treatment can integrate psychotherapy and medication when that combination is useful.
GETTING STARTED
The initial assessment comes first.
If you are looking for medication management, the first step is still to understand the diagnosis, treatment history, goals, and broader context.