Why Medications?

Because sometimes therapy alone isn’t enough. Medications can help ease symptoms like persistent depression, crippling anxiety, mood swings, or inattention so you can function and actually engage in the rest of your life — including therapy, work, and relationships. They’re not a cure-all, but for many people, the right medication becomes a critical tool that lifts the weight just enough to move forward. Our approach is always careful and collaborative, using medication only when it truly makes sense for you.

How It Works?

Medication management here isn’t rushed. Our sessions typically run 25 to 45 minutes, giving us time to talk through how you’re feeling, how your meds are working (or not), any side effects, and what’s happening in your life that could be impacting your mental health. We usually start medications at a low dose and aim for the lowest effective dose — the goal is to get the benefits you need without unnecessary medication. Early on, we may meet more often to fine-tune your plan. Once things are stable, we’ll space out visits but stay closely connected. It’s an ongoing partnership, not a one-and-done prescription.

What Can You Expect?

This is a thoughtful, collaborative process — not just ticking off symptoms on a list. We’ll keep track of more than whether a medication “works” on paper; we’ll look at your quality of life, relationships, energy, sleep, and any side effects. Adjustments are made together, weighing what’s working and what’s not, so your treatment actually fits your life. You’ll also have secure access to the patient portal for non-urgent questions or updates between visits, keeping communication open and easy.

Who This Is For

Medication management here is a good fit for people who feel stuck on their current regimen, or who’ve tried multiple medications without real relief. It’s also for those exploring medication for the first time, wanting to understand if it might help. If you’re juggling more than one diagnosis, or need careful oversight to simplify or fine-tune your treatment, this approach is especially for you. Ultimately, it’s for anyone looking for more than quick scripts — someone who wants thoughtful, personalized care.

Coordination of Care

Mental health rarely exists in a vacuum. We’ll collaborate with your therapist, primary care doctor, reproductive specialist, or any other providers involved in your care. This helps us stay on the same page, avoid conflicting treatments, and give you the most cohesive support possible. With your permission, we can share insights, updates, or treatment plans so everyone’s working toward the same goals — your well-being, from all angles.

Philosophy

At Black Dog Psychiatry, we see medication as a tool — sometimes essential, sometimes optional, but never the whole story. We don’t believe in overmedicating or chasing a quick fix. Instead, our focus is on finding the lowest effective dose that genuinely improves your life, while also paying attention to the deeper patterns, stressors, and relationships that shape your mental health. It’s a careful, nuanced approach designed to support not just fewer symptoms, but a fuller, more stable you.

FAQ

Will I have to stay on medication forever? Not necessarily. Many people use medication for a period of their life to get through a rough stretch or stabilize certain symptoms, then taper off when they’re ready. Others find that long-term treatment offers the best quality of life. Either way, this is always a collaborative conversation — we’ll revisit it over time and make decisions based on how you’re feeling and what your goals are.

What if I’ve tried meds before and they didn’t work? Many people come to us after frustrating experiences with past medications. We’ll take the time to explore what was tried, at what doses, and for how long, then figure out if a different approach makes sense.

Will medication change who I am? That’s a common worry. The goal isn’t to blunt your personality or creativity, but to help lift the symptoms that are holding you back. Ideally, you’ll feel more like yourself — not less.

What if I want to taper off? That’s absolutely your choice, and something we can plan for together. If you ever decide you’d like to reduce or stop medication, we’ll create a careful, gradual tapering plan to minimize any discomfort or risk of relapse. The goal is to keep you feeling steady and supported every step of the way.

Can we try therapy before medication? Absolutely. We often recommend therapy as a first step, or alongside medication. The right plan depends on your unique situation — we’ll decide that together.

How do you handle side effects? We keep a close eye on them. We don’t believe in “set it and forget it.” If side effects show up, we adjust — whether that means tweaking the dose, switching medications, or adding supports to minimize discomfort. For non-urgent concerns, all patients have access to our secure patient portal, making it easy to communicate with us between visits so small issues don’t turn into big ones.

How long does it take to notice changes? It depends on the medication and what we’re treating. Some people start to feel better within a couple of weeks, while for others it can take a month or longer to see full effects. We’ll set realistic expectations together, monitor your progress closely, and adjust as needed to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.

Can medication help with trauma or personality issues? Medication can ease symptoms like intense mood swings, anxiety, or insomnia, but it’s not a cure for deeper patterns. That’s where therapy becomes essential. Often, the two work best together.

Can you prescribe controlled substances (like stimulants for ADHD)? Yes, when clinically appropriate. We follow careful guidelines for prescribing these medications, especially for ADHD, and we’ll discuss the risks, benefits, and monitoring involved.

Will my insurance cover my prescriptions? Usually, yes. Even though we’re out-of-network for visits, most insurance plans do cover the cost of medications under their pharmacy benefit. If needed, we can assist with prior authorizations.