psychiatry
We view Psychiatry and medication management from a holistic approach- it is not just about medication. Psychiatry services involve medications to help manage your mental health symptoms, but it can also include information about diet, nutrition, and exercise. It is important to find the right fit for each individual’s physiology, and it can take weeks for certain medications to become effective. Unlike some practices, our initial psychiatry appointment is a 90 min appointment, and ongoing med checks are 30min or more. This allows you to build a relationship with your provider, while discussing your concerns and to feel heard.
When we assess someone for medication management, it starts with a discussion about the benefits, as well as well as the risks, of medication management. Using psychotropic medication gives you another tool as you work toward optimal mental health. Your Psychiatrist or Nurse Practitioner may provide:
- Psychoeducation- discuss medication options, but ultimately it is the client’s choice whether or not to take medication.
- Coordination- with other professionals and collaborate with your Primary Care or therapist to provide a more comprehensive treatment experience.
- Referrals- for additional testing, labs or genetic testing to give us a more complete picture of your body’s functioning.
FAQ
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Depression
- Mood Disorders- Bi-polar I & II
- PTSD
We see clients that reside in the state of Maryland for in-person or telehealth/video (Google Meet) sessions.Initial intake assessments are a time to gather medical history, as well as your mental health history.Unlike exclusive online psychiatry, you have the option to come into the office.If you are struggling, our staff may encourage you to present in person for your appointment.
Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners have the same job duties, and both specialize in prescribing psychiatric medications. Both clinicians are experts in psychopharmacology, and they each possess an in-depth knowledge of psychiatric medications and how to prescribe them effectively. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who attended medical school and did a psychiatry residency. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who then went back and completed an additional 2-4yr Nurse Practitioner program.
Genesight Testing
Your practitioner may suggest Genesight Testing in order to gather a more comprehensive picture and to help determine which medications are most effective. This helps to eliminate multiple medication trials.
GeneSight Psychotropic is a pharmacogenomic test which means that it analyzes how your genes may affect medication outcomes. The GeneSight test analyzes clinically important genetic variations in your DNA. Results can inform your doctor about how you may break down or respond to certain medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions.The GeneSight test must be ordered by your doctor or nurse practitioner. The test is a simple cheek swab taken in your healthcare provider’s office or can be sent by your doctor to be taken in the convenience of your home.The GeneSight test is a pharmacogenomic test, which predicts how you may metabolize or respond to medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD and other psychiatric conditions. The GeneSight Psychotropic test uses a proprietary algorithm to analyze nine pharmacokinetic genes and five pharmacodynamic genes, weighing their combined influence on how a patient may metabolize or respond to 61 psychotropic medications. The panel also includes one gene (COMT) for informational purposes.How do we know that the GeneSight® test is effective? There are multiple published studies showing the clinical validity and utility, as well as the economic utility, of the GeneSight Psychotropic test. In fact, it is the only neuropsychiatric pharmacogenomic test backed by such extensive research.Based on a patient’s unique genetic profile, GeneSight testing can help inform clinicians’ medication decisions by placing each medication into one of three color-coded categories: green “Use as Directed,” yellow “Moderate Gene-Drug Interaction,” or red “Significant Gene-Drug Interaction.” The results show which medications may require dose adjustments, may be less likely to work, or may have an increased risk of side effects based on a patient’s genetic makeup.(Genesight, website. https://genesight.com/)
