Psychiatric Medication Management
Integrative Psychiatric Services
Medication Management Services at Ellie
Sometimes our mental health stressors involve biological changes that contribute to our pain and struggle. These may be best addressed with a combination of therapy and medication. Our psychiatric prescribers take a holistic and integrative approach to mental health and work in collaboration with your therapist to ensure that you are receiving the best care possible.
How Psychiatric Medication Can Help You Heal
Medications may be used to treat a variety of conditions, across the spectrum, from depression and anxiety to grief and trauma. The use of medications can contribute to healing by initiating biological changes in the brain, which can help make therapy more elective and provide more rapid relief for you to work through the challenges you face.
Our Medication Management Process
Initial Assessment
First visits are typically 60-90 minutes in length.
We will get to know each other and address your symptoms, supports, and stressors. We know it’s a pain, but you may be asked to fill out a few additional forms so that we can get a fuller picture of your mental health. At the end of your assessment we will discuss your diagnosis and our treatment recommendations. Recommendations may include a combination of medication, therapy, and additional supports. If you choose to take a medication you will receive a prescription and follow-up recommendations.
Follow-Up Visit
Follow-ups are typically 15-30 minutes in length.
Follow-ups are regular check-ins with your Psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant to see how things are going. We’ll review your progress, check in on your symptoms, make sure you aren’t having any side effects, and work together in developing a course of action to get you where you want to be with your mental health. Follow-up visits can vary in frequency from every two weeks to up to six months based on your progress in your treatment.
In-Person Visit
Come to one of our Ellie Mental Health locations! When you arrive, simply check in at the kiosk and relax in our supremely cozy waiting rooms. A Medication Management Assistant will come by shortly, say, “Hey,” take your vitals, ask a few screening questions, and then bring you to your Psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant’s office for your visit.
Telehealth
Have your visit with us from the comfort of your home! Telehealth visits are completed over the internet via an interactive audio-video platform. A good internet connection, a device with quality audio and video capabilities, and a confidential location are required. You will receive instructions on how to access your visit a few days before your appointment. Don’t be late! If technical difficulties do present themselves just reach out to us and we’ll work with you to resolve the problem.
What We Treat
Depression
A fog has rolled into your mind, and won’t leave. Life has lost its flavor. You can’t sleep. And worse yet – you think it’s your fault. Everything keeps building up and you’re getting to the point that you feel like you can’t take it anymore! Overwhelmed and uninspired, doing anything sounds utterly unappealing. Does this ring a bell?
Possible Medication Options:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)—Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Viibryd (vilazodone)
SNRI—Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Fetzima (levomilnacipran) Other: Wellbutrin (bupropion), Remeron (mirtazapine), BuSpar (buspirone)
Goals of Medication Treatment
Get you out of your funk. Put a spring back into your step. Lift that fog so you can get back to enjoying things. Be active and interested in your future. We aim to enhance the effects of psychotherapy, specifically behavioral activation.
Anxiety
Your brain is a flood of thoughts that won’t stop: What is happening? What is going to happen? Am I okay? Why am I nervous? Should I be? It’s got you up at night staring at the ceiling and all this overwhelming uncertainty has you on edge.
Possible Medication Options:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)—Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Viibryd (vilazodone)
SNRI—Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Fetzima (levomilnacipran)
Goals of Medication Treatment
Stop the flood. Take the edge off. Get you able and willing to participate in things. Enhance the effects of psychotherapy, specifically behavioral activation.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
You find yourself checking things over and over (and over) again. Your thoughts keep butting in when you don’t want them to. You keep washing your hands. All these unwanted impulses are occupying an inordinate amount of your time and thoughts.
Typical Medication Options
SSRI – Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Goals of Medication treatment
Work to keep the impulses at bay. Reduce your obsessions and compulsions. Allow you to engage in psychotherapy, specifically exposure therapy.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
You’ve experienced something harrowing and it is haunting you. You can’t keep it away. You dream it. Relive it. This event has attached itself to you and it’s shaping your life.
Typical Medication Options
SSRI—Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) Other : Prazosin
Goals of Medication treatment
Help take the load off. Improve your focus and concentration. Help reduce your distractibility and hyperactivity.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What’s that you said? Oh, man, I’m late for a meeting. Hey, that story looks interesting. I’m hungry. Did I already eat? When is lunch? Great, I missed that meeting. Why am I on my phone?
Possible Medication Options
Stimulants: Adderall (amphetamine), Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), Concerta (methylphenidate), Ritalin (methylphenidate), Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
Non stimulants: Strattera (atomoxetine), Intuniv (guanfacine ER), Kapvay (clonidine ER)
Goals of Medication Treatment
To slow your motor down and get that squirrel out your head. To help get you thinking flexibly, have emotional and impulse control, and keep you organized. To check off the lists, follow through on the alarms, and keep you on schedule.
Additional Diagnosis
At Ellie Mental Health we strive to treat a wide spectrum of illness. We help clients a variety of afflictions and will work with you to identify your specific goals. Additional diagnosis may include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism, as well as those with co-occurring substance use disorders or eating disorders.
Our Medication Management Team
Our collaborative team combines training and expertise to deliver results to resolve your mental health concerns.
Adam Klapperich
DO
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Ade Odujole
APRN, CNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Anna Smith
BA
Medication Management Assistant
Corinne Webb-Kay
MD, MSc
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Emily Campbell
DNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Gladys Ndip
Gladys Ndip, APRN,PMHNP-BC,A-GNP-C
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Iliana Holt
MA
Medication Management Assistant
Jennifer Gay
APRN, CNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Joey Lusvardi, PA-C
Nationally Certified Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant
Katelyn Nystrom
CMA
Medication Management Assistant
Kelly Wallner
Lead Medication Management Assistant
Lauren Nievinski
PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Liz Braun
MSN, CNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Mallory Maki
BA
Medication Management Assistant
Mariah Abbott
MA
Medication Management Assistant
Marie Gaughan
CMA
Medication Management Assistant
Millicent Boa-Amponsem
DNP, PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Monsurat (Lola) Oluwa-Okougbo
APRN, CNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Natalie Carstenbrock
APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Sara Robeck
PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Suzanne Jasberg
MD
Physician
Twilight Florido-Bergad
DNP, APRN, CNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Vivian Ogunyemi
DNP, PMHNP-BC, APRN
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
William Fry
Medical Scribe
Caycee Olson
MMA
Medication Management Assistant
Justin Gerstner
MD
Chief Medical Officer
Margo Duarte
MA
Practice Manager, Medication Management
Claire Garber
DO
Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
If You’re Freaking the
%#[email protected] Out…
It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed. Come as you are and find a therapist you can vibe with.