Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
Our process begins with a comprehensive initial assessment. Over the course of approximately one hour, we will discuss your concerns, symptoms and relevant history to develop and mutually agree upon an appropriate treatment plan.​
We will gather information about your medical history which may include vital signs, ordering or evaluating blood work, and reviewing medical records from your primary care or other healthcare providers.
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In many cases, underlying medical conditions or medications can cause symptoms that mimic psychiatric disease. We will be sure to consider the overlap between medical and psychiatric diseases when developing our plan.
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Next, we will go on a detailed exploration of your mental health history, including any past psychiatric diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations. All this information will help us develop a treatment plan. We will discuss potential benefits and risks of various treatments and provide you with the education you need to make an informed decision. The initial assessment forms the backbone for our treatment plan.
Proper medication management is important for several reasons. If together, we decide that medications are right for you we will:
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Personalize your care. While the medications we prescribe are well-researched and mostly FDA approved, people still tend to have varying responses. It is very important that you find a provider who understands your concerns and thinks outside of the traditional textbook teaching, when safe and appropriate.
​Optimize your treatment plan. This means adjusting medications and dosing as necessary to ensure you are prescribed a safe and effective dose to obtain relief from your symptoms.
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Minimize side effects. Unfortunately, all medications have side effects. Some, however, can be used to our advantage. For example, some antidepressant medications can also help alleviate pain symptoms. Some medications for your mood can also help you sleep better, gain, or lose weight, etc. Within medication categories, not all are created equal. We will listen to you and make the necessary adjustments to help you feel better.
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Take a holistic approach. While we practice modern Western medicine we understand there are many other helpful supplemental treatments aside from prescription medications. We will support you and explore these together as some of these therapies can interact with prescription medications.​