Medication Management
Wondering if Medication Could Help You Feel More Like Yourself Again?
Starting medication can bring up a lot of questions, and sometimes a lot of mixed feelings. Any way you’re arriving here is not only okay, it’s warmly welcomed.
Let’s normalize some very real curiosities about mental health medication:
- Does needing medication mean something is wrong with me?
- Will I have to take it forever?
- Will it change my personality?
- What if I don’t like how it makes me feel?
When it comes to taking care of yourself right now, medication is never an assumed starting point or expectation as part of your experience with our practice. It’s simply another option available through our medication management services, offered as part of our commitment to provide care in the way that feels right for you.
Our medication management services include comprehensive mental health medication evaluations and ongoing medication support provided by licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs).
If you ever feel curious about extra support, our psychiatric nurse practitioners introduce medication thoughtfully and collaboratively, always honoring your comfort levels. When helpful, we can coordinate care with your therapist, whether they’re part of our practice or someone you already work with.
When You’re Ready to Explore Something More
You don’t need a diagnosis or to even resonate with that word to begin seeking medication support. Sometimes a formal diagnosis can guide us, but our door is open to anyone who might feel like life has just become harder to keep up with than it used to be.
You may notice ongoing sadness, irritability, shifts in mood, constant worry, low self-esteem, or a loss of interest in things that once felt like you.
As this builds over time, everyday life can start to feel heavier. If you’re distracted or low on energy, you might be missing deadlines, putting things off, or pulling back from people you care about. Some days it can feel like you’re using every ounce of strength just to get through.
If any of this feels familiar, our medication providers can help you sort through what you’ve been experiencing, talk through options together, and explore whether psychiatric medication could be one helpful piece of support if you ever decide you want to consider it. Our goal is to help you feel steadier and more like yourself again.
Many People Avoid Medication Because They’re Afraid It Means Something About Them
Considering medication in itself is a strength, showing yourself a commitment to getting the level of care that makes a true difference in how you want to feel. It can also bring up fears and internal doubts, wondering things like, “Does needing medication mean I can’t handle this alone?” “Will I become dependent on this as a crutch?” or “Is this going to be my forever?”
Medication for mental health comes with so many misconceptions, and it’s only natural to feel yourself pausing, especially when it’s a new experience entirely. Even though one in six American adults report taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication every single year, many people are still left sorting through questions on their own because these conversations aren’t talked about openly enough. We’re hoping to change that, together.
We also live in a culture that places enormous pressure on performance and self-sufficiency that often leads to burnout before reaching out to see what else could be possible. While it’s not always showing up in social media feeds or broadcasts, so many high-achieving, capable, and responsible people open themselves to medication to feel that extra support to navigate challenging situations. Just like any prescription, different dosages and options exist to meet you exactly where you’re at.
Research consistently shows that medication and therapy together can be especially helpful for many people.
Here are a few ways that psychiatric medication can open a door to relief:
- Taking a low-dose anxiety medication to ease constant tension enough to finally slow racing thoughts and address stressors through a lens of presence.
- Using a short-acting medication for situational anxiety so you can manage overwhelming moments without avoiding what matters to you.
- Starting ADHD medication to improve focus, organization, and follow-through when it feels exhausting to keep up.
- Trying a sleep-support medication to help your brain wind down at night, making it easier to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up lighter.
- Feeling an antidepressant lift the heavy, foggy feeling of depression, so what you want to build can be met with renewed energy.
- Exploring medication that supports mood stability so emotional highs and lows feel less intense and more predictable.
Comprehensive Medication Management Individualized To Your Needs And Preferences
Our psychiatric medication management services are available via secure telehealth appointments for clients located in Oregon, Washington, and Maine, allowing you to access care from the comfort of your home.
To get started, you’ll self-schedule a 60-minute intake assessment so we can learn a little about what’s been going on in your world and what you’re hoping for. If medication management (with or without therapy) feels like a good fit, we’ll reach out to schedule your first appointment with one of our PMHNPs, psychiatry nurse practitioners who specialize in mental health and can prescribe medication.
Everything we do at the start is to guide you to the best avenue of care possible, so we love to hear anything you can share about what would be meaningful in your exploration of medication.
Many clients begin with a mental health medication evaluation, followed by ongoing psychiatric medication management tailored to their needs and goals.
Your First Session: Mental Health Medication Evaluation
Your first session is an open conversation intentionally designed to help your provider understand your unique day-to-day experience. If a diagnosis becomes part of the picture, your provider will walk you through what it means and talk through options that could be helpful.
This is your time to ask any questions, share concerns, and collaborate on what your medication plan could look like with full clarity. Together, you’ll explore different options and understand fully why one may be recommended over another for you, so you’re always in the loop.
Ongoing Care: Psychiatric Medication Management
In ongoing sessions, you’ll regularly check in about how you’re feeling and how any medication is working for you. If something doesn’t feel right or another option may be a better fit, we’ll support you in making thoughtful, safe adjustments at a pace that feels comfortable. If you’re working with a therapist, whether that be here or at another practice, we’re always open to collaborating with them (with your permission) so you feel seen on every level that matters.
Medication is a gradual process. Many medications take a few weeks to show their full effect, which is why we stay closely connected in the beginning and adjust thoughtfully over time.
Is Psychiatric Medication Right For You?
Hesitating or having more questions is valid. We hope to open these conversations together for anyone ready to reach out and see what it’s all about, without expectations or pressure–ever.
If it feels grounding, we’ve put together a few questions that commonly come up so you can feel as informed as possible, knowing our team is not far away to personalize the answers for your unique experience.
Common questions about medication for mental health:
What if people I know had bad experiences with medication?
It’s completely understandable to feel hesitant after hearing others’ stories. Everyone’s body and brain respond differently, which means a medication that didn’t work well for someone else may feel very different for you.
When psychiatric medication is part of your care, we move slowly and stay in close contact, especially in the beginning, so you’ll always have space to share how you’re feeling and make adjustments together if needed. We’ll talk through anything you’re noticing and decide on next steps as a team.
Will I become dependent on medication?
Most mental health medications are not addictive, but simply reduce the intensity of certain symptoms while creating more stability so you can find your way to relief.
We’ll always review your history carefully, talk openly about benefits and risks, and make sure you feel fully informed before making any decisions. Your safety and comfort always come first.
What if medication makes me feel numb or not like myself?
This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and the goal of medication is never to change who you are or dull emotions in any way. Ideally, it helps you feel more like yourself again, so if you start feeling like that’s not happening, we welcome the conversation and can make adjustments that stay in line with what you want to be experiencing.
If you ever notice side effects that feel uncomfortable or not right, we want you to tell us. We’ll work together to adjust your plan so that your care continues to feel supportive and complementary to your lifestyle.
Do I have to stay on medication forever?
Not at all. Many people wonder how long they may need to stay on psychiatric medication. Some people use medication for a shorter season of life, while others continue longer-term. There is no single timeline that is right for everyone. If medication becomes part of your care, we’ll check in regularly about how it’s working for you and how you’re feeling. Decisions about continuing, adjusting, or stopping medication are always made collaboratively and based on your needs and preferences.
What if the first medication doesn’t work for me?
Finding the right medication can sometimes take adjustment. If something doesn’t feel like the right fit, we’ll talk through what you’re noticing and explore other options together. We’ll help guide you through all the options available according to your specific needs.
We’re Here, When You’re Ready
If you’ve been wondering whether psychiatric medication might be worth exploring, Karen Albert and Sydney Ouellette, our licensed PMHNPs, currently have immediate availability. Karen is available for clients in Oregon, Washington, and Maine, and Sydney is available in Oregon and Maine.
You can learn more about their approach and see if this feels like the right next step by reading their bio on our Meet the Team page or scheduling below whenever you feel ready. After you schedule, our team will guide you through the next steps and help you prepare for your first appointment so you know exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Practice
Sessions are conducted primarily online through secure telehealth for clients across Oregon, Washington, and Maine. If you are located in the Portland area and interested in meeting with a provider in person, please contact our office at (207) 316-2609 to discuss current availability.
- Our medication management provider, Karen Albert, accepts:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem, Premera, Regence, etc.)
- First Choice Health
- Kaiser Access PPO
- Mainecare
- Optum/United Healthcare
- Providence
- Our medication management provider, Sydney Ouellette, accepts:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem, Premera, Regence, etc.)
- Mainecare
- Optum/United Healthcare
- We recommend that you check with your insurance company prior to initiating services to ensure we are in-network and to determine your patient responsibility for sessions. If at any time we discover we are not in-network with your insurance, you will be responsible for the full costs of all sessions (past and future).
- We do not accept Medicare.
- We do not accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP).
- We do not work with EAPs.
- If You Are Using Insurance:
- If you plan to use insurance, the amount you pay for appointments depends on your specific insurance plan. Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance vary between plans.
- Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC bills in-network insurance plans when applicable. However, your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. You are responsible for verifying your coverage, confirming that your provider is in network with your specific plan, and understanding any requirements or limitations of your benefits.
- Our office may provide an estimate of expected costs after receiving your insurance information, but this estimate is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. You are ultimately responsible for the cost of services based on how your insurance processes the claim.
- If You Are Self-Pay:
- If you are not using insurance, appointment rates vary depending on the type of service (therapy or medication management) and the length of the appointment. Please contact our office if you would like information about current self-pay rates.
Payments are completed through our patient portal. Payments can be made using major credit/debit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, etc.) as well as FSAs and HSAs.
Our policy is to collect payments before rendering services. However, we cannot always predict the cost of sessions in advance because services and length of sessions may vary from appointment to appointment. For clients using insurance, you will likely be responsible for either a co-pay or for paying the full costs of sessions until your deductible is met. Please ensure you fully understand your insurance benefits to prevent future billing concerns.
Regardless of your insurance status and payment method, we will always be as up-front with you as possible about the cost of treatment.
We currently have PMHNPs with immediate availability. To schedule an intake assessment with one of our PMHNPs, please use the calendar above or visit our scheduling page. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (207) 316-2609.
Clients must cancel or reschedule appointments at least 48 hours before their appointment. If appointments are not canceled or rescheduled with at least 48 hours’ notice, or if clients do not show to their appointment, they will be charged a late cancellation fee of $150. To ensure we treat all clients consistently and ethically and to be respectful of our providers’ time, we must enforce our late cancellation and no-show policy. Fees incurred for late cancellations and no shows are out-of-pockets expenses. They cannot be billed to insurance.