MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

In some situations, the addition of prescription medication may be beneficial to consider as part of the overall treatment plan. During the initial appointment with our medication provider, caregivers and their child will meet to discuss current concerns/symptoms and review psychiatric, medical, and social histories to formulate a working diagnosis and collaboratively develop a treatment plan based on the best available evidence.

Medication may be recommended as a first line treatment for certain diagnoses (such as ADHD), but more often it is considered after attempting evidence-based treatments such as individual or group therapy, behavioral strategies, and/or school accommodations. 

If medication is recommended, the different medication options will be discussed in detail including review of target symptoms of each agent, typical dose range and frequency, when to expect effects, and a review of potential common and serious side effects. Any treatment decisions will be made in collaboration with the patient and/or family.

Medication management in Nashville is an ongoing service, typically with more frequent appointments initially (monthly) to monitor initial response to medications, make any indicated dose adjustments or medication changes, and to address any potential side effects. Once stable on a dose, there is a maintenance phase during which appointments are scheduled up to 3 months apart, if the provider and family agree to this frequency. If there is an extended period of symptom remission, the provider and client/family may then discuss how best to discontinue a medication such as slowly tapering off to minimize risk of discontinuation symptoms while monitoring for the recurrence of psychiatric symptoms.

Please reach out to our admin team or submit an intake form on the Contact Page if you’re ready to schedule a medication management appointment in Nashville with our psychiatric nurse practitioner, Cat Underwood, PMHNP-BC.