Medication Management

What is medication management?

Medication management includes evaluating a patient’s need for psychiatric medication, prescribing medication when appropriate, and providing ongoing monitoring to ensure medications are safe, effective, and supporting the desired outcomes.

Medication can be one of many tools that supports mental health and overall well-being. Just as medication may be used to manage conditions such as diabetes or cancer, psychiatric medication can be an important part of treatment for mental health conditions. Medication needs can also change over time, so treatment is regularly reevaluated based on each individual’s needs and goals.

Who can benefit from medication management services?

TFCC provides medication management services for children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. This includes conditions such as:

• Depression 
• Anxiety
• OCD
• ADHD
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizophrenia
  

For some individuals with severe and persistent mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, medication management may be part of long-term or lifelong treatment. For others, medication can help reduce symptoms and restore a sense of hope and the ability to engage more fully in daily life.

Treatment is individualized to each person. There is no one-size-fits-all approach or agenda. The goal is to listen to what each person wants and needs, provide information and resources, and work together to identify treatment options that are safe and effective.

Who is part of TFCC’s medication management team?

TFCC’s Medication Management team offers both in-person and remote providers for individuals seeking psychiatric care in Tillamook County. The team also includes Spanish-speaking staff and a provider with specialized training in pediatric psychiatry.

What can clients expect from medication management services?

Services begin with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that considers a person’s medical history, current symptoms, previous treatment, and past diagnoses. From there, the provider works with the individual to develop a personalized treatment plan based on their specific needs. Medication management may include prescribing and monitoring psychiatric medications, as well as laboratory work to identify physiological factors that may need to be addressed.

TFCC takes a holistic approach to medication management, looking at the whole person rather than focusing only on mental health symptoms. Providers may monitor factors such as weight and blood pressure and consider other evidence-based approaches that support overall well-being.

Genetic testing is also available to some clients and may help reduce some of the guesswork involved in prescribing psychiatric medications by identifying potential gene-drug interactions. This testing is covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

How do I access medication management services at TFCC?

Medication management is provided as part of treatment at TFCC rather than as a stand-alone service. Individuals interested in medication management first meet with a TFCC therapist, who can make a referral to the Medication Management team when appropriate.

Call TFCC at 503-842-8201 to learn more.