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...suffering has meaning
...people are not just a collection
of biochemical reactions
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Our treatment philosophy
holds that suffering has meaning and that people are not just a
collection of biochemical reactions. Furthermore, we view medication as
a short term symptomatic treatment that cannot alter the emotional
dynamics underlying anxiety, depression, insomnia, or the problems
associated with ADD or
Autism. That said, medical science has
contributed valuable medications to the emotional well being of our
clients. These meds can be successfully used as part of an overall
treatment plan where counseling or neurofeedback therapy is the primary
procedure to achieve long term change. When necessary, these
psychoactive medications should be prescribed by a board certified
psychiatrist who is part of an interdisciplinary team. This is the
standard of care practiced at Mission Psychological Consultants.Parents
are reluctant to accept a psychoactive medication for their children or
themselves.
We
understand. We have seen too many substandard practice patterns
involving medications.
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Primary Care physicians
prescribing these meds, sometimes to children, without a referral
for psychotherapy! It seems obvious that if a child or adult is
depressed or anxious enough to be considered for medication, a mental
health professional should be asking why? 1
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Insurance companies are all
too willing to authorize the least expensive option possible...the pill
bottle. This is especially true in HMO’s or in other heavily managed
plans. The public is slowly but wisely demanding better mental health
coverage.
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Over 85% of psychoactive
medications are prescribed by physicians who are not trained in
psychopharmacology. There are not enough psychiatrists. We support the
licensing of psychologist to prescribe these medications to raise the
standard of care.
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Among the ADD and ADHD
patients, we have found 30% of children and 50% of adults are
mis-diagnosed. The vast majority of the time they are already on
unnecessary medications. These substandard diagnostic practices breed
mistrust among parents and make it difficult to gain compliance when
medication is indicated.
Mission Psychological Consultants hires outstanding board
certified psychiatrists who share our treatment philosophy and practice
patterns. Our psychiatrists must be highly skilled, conservative with
the use of medication, and capable of practicing in an interdisciplinary
model. When a medication is indicated there is close communication
between all the team members. This coordination of services is
especially evident in The Attention Learning Center. Patients in this program placed on medication,
have their dosage verified by a continuous performance test (IVA or TOVA) to ensure the
desired outcome.
In summary, please feel assured that if you or your child needs
medication, it will be the right medication at the lowest possible dose
for the shortest amount of time.
| We have the
privilege of treating the patients of several outstanding local
medical groups who have this practice philosophy. They include
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