Medication Management
A comprehensive approach to supporting your mental health
Not everyone needs (or wants) medication to be a part of their healing, but for some of us, it’s a necessary part of supporting our mental health
At Ferreras Counseling, we can simplify your schedule and your life by providing both in our office. If you and your therapist decide medication is right for you, there will be no new referrals or appointments to juggle. Our resident doctor is available to offer consultations and prescriptions in a single appointment, your coordination of the medical side of mental health will be one less thing on your to-do list
Choosing the right therapist to support the dynamics in your family can feel difficult
Our admissions coordinator can help you get connected to the right therapist for you!
What’s Medication Management?
Medication management, or psychopharmacology, is the use of clinically prescribed medication under the care of a qualified physician in tandem with other psychological care for the purpose of managing a mental health issue
Through evaluation, our in-house physician will work with you and your therapist to select the treatment plan that best compliments your other therapies. The purpose of the medication will be considered, as well as potential side effects and benefits. You will be an active part in selecting the type of medication, and the frequency as well as determining the length of time you will take medication.
Adding medication to therapeutic support is just that- an addition. Medication is not a cure all or quick fix. It is not a substitute for doing the work or developing healthy habits to work toward healing. Managing symptoms through the support of medication to supplement things like behavioral changes, talk therapy and creating a system of accountability and healing, which are still key in long-term mental health
Using medication to stop a panic spiral, support healthy sleep or regulate your productivity may be a beneficial way to get ahead of yourself and enact the other tools you will learn in therapy
The Whys Of Medication In Mental Health
Why use medication?
Medication may be prescribed to treat an acute (temporary) condition or to manage a chronic (long-term) concern. You may use medication on an as needed basis to manage symptoms after a traumatic event, or you may choose to try medication to regulate the symptoms of other mental illnesses like mood disorders, ADD or ADHD or depression and anxiety
Medication is prescribed for a myriad of uses. Which medication you may use and for how long is something you'll determine with your care providers
Taking back your power
The fears around medication use can make it feel like you’re succumbing to something, or as if the use of supportive medication is a weakness. It is not.
You are empowering yourself to reach your optimum performance- putting your agency back in the driver’s seat instead of your mental illness
Let’s dispel some of those fears:
I won’t be me ⟶ You are always you, medication will only change your symptoms.
I’ll get addicted ⟶All psychoactive substances warrant our attention, and it’s important that we think about the why behind our use. If we don’t allow ourselves to view the medication as a cure-all, we’re much less likely to allow ourselves to become dependent on it.
It’s cheating ⟶ Medication only supplements therapy. You’re still doing the work.
Combining care reduces stress
Coordinating counseling with medication management can be a time-consuming endeavor that contributes to your already stressful schedule. Reducing the number of appointments required to ensure you have what you need is a great first step toward successful medication management to supplement your therapeutic experience
The continuity of care between counseling and medication can also ensure that you receive the most tailored and responsive care if medication, dose, or scheduling changes are required
Minimising disruption to get you the most suitable treatment for you with the least amount of stress is our goal
Medication is as unique as you are
No substance or pill is going to change the core of who you are, and taking medication won’t make you into something you are not. No two people, or medications, will have the same relationship or the same reactions. How and why you’ll use medication, as well as the way it will impact you, is entirely unique to what you take and your body’s chemistry. By combining the management of medication with your other counselling tools, you can streamline the process and troubleshoot any undesired effects that may arise
How We Can Help
From intake to recovery, we want to support you in managing your mental health with confidence and ease
By reducing the number of barriers between you and comprehensive mental healthcare, we can ensure you are getting the care you need on your schedule. We will streamline the process of finding a therapist, medication and ensuring each step of your treatment is designed specifically to support you.
Through evaluation and analysis that is paired with your counseling care, we can identify and isolate medication incompatibilities. Whether there are unintended side effects or a dose needs to be raised or lowered, adjusting your medication for optimum performance is a smooth process with Ferreras Counseling.
Types Of Medication We Can Prescribe
Medication can be used to support a variety of mental health concerns. There are a myriad of diagnoses and symptoms medication can help, and only a fraction of those is listed below
Anxiety
Depression
Bipolar
ADD/ADHD
Suicidal thoughts or ideation
Mood swings
Panic Attacks
Self harm