Medication and Counseling
Sometimes, counseling alone is not enough. At Suncrest Counseling, we have two nurse practitioners on staff who are qualified to assess for psychiatric illnesses and provide medical management when needed.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Medications
Suncrest Counseling’s nurse practitioners have a strong history of working in primary care and mental health. They are knowledgeable about psychiatric medications and can be a good resource of information. They will help you understand the pros and cons of different medications, as well as help you understand the risks and benefits of any medication you are prescribed. Our nurse practitioners have a unique perspective, and consider the physical, environmental and psychiatric causes behind our patients’ symptoms.
Questions/Concerns
At Suncrest Counseling will give you the opportunity to ask questions, and discuss your concerns and past experiences with psychiatric medications. Our nurse practitioners will approach each patient individually and holistically, with the belief that any treatment plan is a collaborative effort between the clinician and the patient.
Medications Often Short-term
We treat with the fewest medications possible, keeping things both simple and effective. Suncrest often prescribes medications for just a short period time, allowing the patient to use medication as one of their tools in the path to recovery.
Assessment
The assessment conducted by the nurse practitioners is very thorough. You’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire about your current symptoms, and personal and family history. This form is available for download, if you prefer to complete it ahead of time. Otherwise, we ask that you arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to allow sufficient time to complete it in our office. Please bring your current medications or a list of your medications with you to the appointment.
Appointments
Most appointments with the nurse practitioner last approximately an hour. During this time, the nurse practitioner will talk to you in depth about your symptoms, provide a targeted physical exam and work with you to develop a treatment plan.
