Counseling involves talking with a trained mental health professional to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and to develop coping strategies. Psychiatric medication management, on the other hand, is the use of prescribed medication to help manage mental health symptoms. Counseling appointments are frequently weekly, each appointment lasting one hour at a time. Psychiatric medication management appointments commonly take place monthly, and typically last 30 minutes but can be shorter or longer, depending on your needs. Often, the most effective treatment for a mental health condition is a combination of both counseling and prescribed medication.

During your first appointment, your provider will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. This typically includes:

• Reviewing your medical history: You will be asked about your physical and mental health history, any current medical conditions, and any medications you are already taking (including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements).
• Reviewing your counseling history: You will have an opportunity to discuss your experience in counseling, and review how to plan a counseling treatment course that could enhance your response to medication-based treatment.
• Discussing your symptoms and goals: You will talk about the symptoms you are experiencing, how they affect your daily life, and what you hope to achieve with medication.
• Developing a treatment plan: Based on the assessment, the provider will discuss potential medication options, explaining how they work, possible side effects, and how long it may take to see results.
  Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and focus on how the medication is working, any side effects you may be experiencing, how the changes you are experiencing are affecting you, and whether any adjustments to the dosage or medication type are needed.

Medication management services are often covered by health insurance. However, coverage can vary depending on your specific plan. It’s best to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your benefits, including any co-pays or deductibles you may be responsible for.

At  OptiMindHealth, cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia, (CBT-I) involves a time limited approach which can benefit primary insomnia and insomnia secondary to other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Our approach includes proven techniques such as sleep restriction, stimulus control, relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, and improving sleep hygiene.

While our Fort Collins office does not yet offer TMS therapy, you can find a full suite of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments at our Boulder, CO location.

Yes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for social anxiety is a common and effective form of treatment, and we offer this at OptiMindHealth. We have licensed mental health professionals on staff trained in CBT and other evidence-based practices to help with social anxiety.

Our Fort Collins team specializes in a range of mental health services, including adult counseling, medication management, and trauma counseling. We are also highly experienced in providing college counseling to help students navigate the unique pressures of academic and personal life.