Psychiatric Medication Management
If you're considering psychiatric medication management, you probably have questions about what it involves, what to expect at your first visit, and whether it's the right fit for you. Below, we've answered the questions we hear most often from new clients.
What is psychiatric medication management, and who is it for?
People come to Drishti Holistic Wellness for psychiatric medication management for many different reasons — anxiety, depression, attention or concentration issues like ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, or because they're navigating a major life transition, a period of high stress, or the aftermath of trauma. At Drishti Holistic Wellness, we make recommendations about psychiatric medications based on a detailed review of your psychiatric and medical history, specific needs, goals and preferences. Medications or medication changes are always optional! Some people come to us because they’re interested in starting a new medication while others are seeking a better fit or a medication regime that doesn’t cause side effects. We provide you with options and then it’s up to you to decide what will work best. Sometimes finding the right medication takes time, but we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Is medication the only thing you offer?
No! Medication management is the focus of our sessions, but because we're a holistic practice, we may also talk with you about things like mindfulness and meditation, yoga or mindful walking, the use of nutritional supplements or recommend that you get additional lab work (which we can order for you!) — whatever might support your overall well-being.
Do you offer therapy?
We have a limited number of openings for therapy and there is currently a waitlist. However, we work closely with many wonderful therapists that we can refer you to. Even though medication management is the focus of each session, we build in time during every follow-up visit to check in on how else we can support you! This may include doing a brief breathing exercise together, talking about nutrition, helping you manage symptoms like chronic fatigue or insomnia, providing referrals, sharing cognitive strategies to combat burnout at work, or planning how to navigate an upcoming stressful life event.
What happens at my initial evaluation?
Your first visit is a 60-minute initial evaluation. We'll spend most of that time getting a full picture of what's going on:
We'll talk through your psychiatric history — when your symptoms started, what they look like, how intense they are, and how they're affecting your daily life. This evaluation is comprehensive, so some questions are quick yes-or-no items and others open into longer conversation. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible! You’re always welcome to decline to answer any of our questions.
We'll also review your medical history, including current and past diagnoses, allergies, and anything else relevant, like high blood pressure or GI issues. With your permission, we can reach out to your primary care provider — some clients find this helpful when there's information or documentation that we should factor into their care.
From there, we'll talk about your social history: your job, relationships, living situation, current stressors, and anything on the horizon that might bring added stress or change. We’ll also ask about substance use and safety, along with anything else that feels important for us to know.
In the final 15 to 20 minutes, we'll put together a personalized plan. We'll walk through the pros and cons of different options, hear your thoughts, and collaborate with you on next steps — which might include starting a medication, adjusting one, or a referral for therapy, mindfulness groups, yoga, or another form of support. Remember, you are the one making the final decisions! We are always happy to adjust the plan to best meet your needs.
What happens after my first visit?
We'll schedule a follow-up visit, which is 20 to 30 minutes, to check in on your plan. How often you'll come in depends on you. In the beginning, follow-ups are often more frequent — anywhere from every two weeks to once a month or two months — while we fine-tune your plan. Once things have stabilized, most clients settle into visits about once every three months, though some prefer to check in monthly. This can depend on whether you're seeing a therapist regularly or not.
Do you accept insurance? What does it cost?
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Aetna. If you have a different insurance plan, we would bill you directly for the cost of treatment. The initial evaluation is $350 and follow-up visits are $175. You're welcome to use an HSA to cover these costs. If you have a PPO plan, you may also be able to submit a receipt from your visit to your insurance provider for partial reimbursement.