Role of Medication, Genetic Testing (to find best fit medications), and Therapy in Mental Health
At Solutions Psychotherapy we offer medication management, genetic testing, can assist in setting up psychological assessments/testing (must complete an intake appointment with a medication provider first), and limited appointments for therapy. We serve the greater Hampton Roads area of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown, Williamsburg offering telemedicine, teletherapy, and limited in-person appointments for mental health medication management, depression support services, anxiety support services, and ADHD support services in addition to treating other mental health conditions. We look forward to partnering with you as you work toward your future goals.
Medication
Medication is normally the most effective course of treatment when someone is experiencing symptoms that have been present for a period of time and have not resolved on their own or have gotten worse over time, symptoms that are hereditary in nature (clinical depression/bipolar depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.) or in cases where therapy and behavioral changes (including diet and exercise) have not been effective. Symptoms best treated with medication include changes in appetite/weight, sleep patterns, mood, level of motivation, loss of enjoyment in life without situational changes, the ability to focus, concentrate, and complete tasks, crying episodes, anger or rage episodes, frequently feeling nervous, personality changes or pulling away from loved ones, frequently feeling nervous, anxious or on edge, excessive worry, mood or personality changes following a health condition such as cancer, Covid, heart attack, stroke, or pregnancy, thinking out worse case scenarios, impulsive or risk-taking behaviors, paranoia/psychosis, feeling helpless or hopeless, or thoughts of wanting to die. These changes in the person’s wellbeing and ability to enjoy and live life are considered clinical in nature and respond well to mental health medications that help reestablish the natural neurotransmitter balance in the brain that can trigger these changes. Many Primary Care Providers and Pediatricians refer to us when a patient has started with them but is not achieving good results. Referring to a medication provider who is a specialist in prescribing mental health medications is considered best practice. And our medical staff works collaboratively with your other healthcare providers to provide the best possible care for you or your family member. We see children (age 5 and older), adolescents, and adult clients up to the age of 62.Genetic Testing www.Genomind.com
Another service available through your medication provider at Solutions Psychotherapy is genetic testing to take the guesswork out of choosing the best medication for you. This simple mouth swab takes much of the guesswork out of finding medications that are the best fit. It is a pharmacogenomic test that can be mailed to you and evaluates clinically important genetic variations in your DNA. The results of the Genomind test can show you and your mental health medication provider genes that may impact how you metabolize or respond to medications commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions. It is especially helpful for individuals who have not previously responded well to mental health medications.Therapy
Therapy is helpful when someone is experiencing mood or personality changes that primarily relate to life experiences, adjustment to change, relationship issues, childhood issues, losses, life transitions, acceptance of limitations, past or current behaviors/choices that impact life, substance abuse issues, phobias, and fear, breaking subconscious connections with past events or trauma and reestablishing balance in life. In other words, situational factors impact everyone at some point in their life. Therapy involves partnering with a neutral person to look at experiences from a different perspective and employing changes and finding a plan that works for you. Many of our clients at Solutions Psychotherapy are already in therapy with other practices and we work collaboratively with them in offering medication management if indicated to maximize the reduction of symptoms that are holding them back in achieving success.