Virtual Medication Management

Medication management is sometimes necessary for effectively treating clients. As a mental health professional, you must know when medication is necessary and how to manage medication. Especially in the world of virtual mental health treatment, educating ourselves as professionals has never been more pertinent.

More and more professionals are offering medication management services online, so what do you need to know about the benefits of virtual medication management? Continue reading on to learn more about virtual medication management. If you are looking for specific advice on offering this service to your clients, don’t hesitate to reach out to Headlight today.

What Is Medication Management?

Before diving deeper into medication management, it’s important to preface that there are many options for treatment when it comes to mental health. Effective treatment typically utilizes multiple therapeutic methods. Each method has a diverse range of options as well. For example, there is more than one kind of psychotherapy that can help your client. Different psychotherapies can be more effective for different situations.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) describes psychotherapy as “a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior.” While medication helps relieve symptoms, psychotherapy can help address specific issues. On its own, medication isn’t a solution. That’s why creating an individualized treatment plan for each client is so essential.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), medication management is “a strategy for engaging with patients and caregivers to create a complete and accurate medication list.” This will help you determine if behaviors are a symptom of a medication, or if your client may benefit from medication. Upon determining your client’s treatment needs, you’ll better understand if medication is needed.

There is a variety of medications frequently used to treat different mental health disorders. The most common types of medication include:

• Antidepressants:

  These are not only used to treat depression, but anxiety, pain, and insomnia as well.

• Anti-Anxiety Medications:

  These reduce symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.

• Stimulants:

  These are mostly used to treat those diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

• Antipsychotics:

  These are typically prescribed to treat more severe cases of psychosis, which the NIH describes as “conditions that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality.”

• Mood Stabilizers:

  These are generally used to treat mood disorders, a primary example being bipolar disorder.

With any medication, your client must consult their doctor and notify you of any medications they are already taking. Long-term use of certain drugs can have adverse effects, and you should emphasize that medication is not a solution. Medication is to help manage symptoms, not solve the problem.

Can You Offer Medication Management Services Online?

The short answer is yes. Offering medication management services online is simpler than you think. Medication management for mental illnesses is very different from medication management for physical illnesses. You can talk to your clients about how their medication is working the same way you would talk to them about anything else during a virtual therapy session. Make a point of asking them how their medications are making them feel and what symptoms they are experiencing.

Medication management services should last as long as your client is on a given medication. In fact, they may continue to experience symptoms or effects of the medication for a short period after stopping. Help your client feel comfortable discussing all areas regarding medication. As mental health professionals, our goal should be to make them feel safe and unjudged.

Medication Management at Headlight

Headlight was created out of the need for quality mental health services in the online space. Through our virtual platforms, clients have access to quality coaching, therapy, and medication management services. Headlight’s online psychiatric medication management is convenient and discrete. While some may be uneasy about online medication management, it does offer a level of convenience compared to being in person. Our clients get to decide which tools work for them in their wellness journey and which tools do not. Our psychiatrists can determine if medication is necessary for their treatment, and help them manage that medication in accordance with the client’s recovery goals.

If you are looking to offer your clients virtual medication management services but aren’t sure how to, reach out to Sokya today. We are more than happy to consult with you on effective ways to start using this method in virtual sessions with your clients. In doing so, you’ll become more comfortable with virtual medication management, and be able to improve the treatment you’re offering as a whole.

With the rise of virtual mental health services across the country, we as mental health professionals need to be better equipped to offer medication management in the virtual space. Medication helps clients manage the symptoms of mental illness while focusing on treating the root cause of their mental disorder during therapy. Medication management is a structured way to help clients get the medication they need for their condition while being able to have open conversations about the symptoms and effects of their medication with you as their therapist. You can implement online medication management services into your treatment program today. Headlight offers online psychiatric medication management that is convenient, discrete, and allows clients to discuss their medication journey without judgment, shame, or stigma. If you would like to consult with us regarding virtual medication management, please don’t hesitate to call Headlight at 800-930-0803 today!