More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Why Can't My Therapist Prescribe My Medications?
Often, psychotherapists are questioned about the need for separate clinicians, one for therapy and one for medication. Why can't their psychiatrist provide therapy or for that matter, why can't the therapist provide medication? And it would be more convenient and cost-effective if one person could do both.
In fact there are psychiatrists who provide both, but that is not the norm. In training the knowledge psychiatrists have gained about the body and its treatment focuses on the parts of the brain that influence behavior, attitude and mood, specifically the parts and systems which govern emotional disorders.
They learn to assess a patient's mental and emotional status and the medications, past and present, which have been or are being used to treat disorders. Often, they are warm and empathic people who were drawn to the field from a deep desire to use their medical knowledge to help those in need.
Initially, psychiatrists do an intensive and extensive assessment, arriving at a diagnosis and prescribing medication. Thereafter, they see the patient for 20 or 30 minute “medication management” sessions to monitor the effectiveness of the medication and to coordinate with the psychotherapist who is providing the therapy.
The psychotherapist has had extensive education in the treating of the symptoms each person is struggling with, coming to understand the cause and working with the client in a “therapeutic alliance” to build strength, clear away old traumas and gain new perspectives on his or her self and others.
Often relationships within the family are suffering and one family member changing can have a positive effect on the whole family. Some therapists specialize in family therapy and see the whole family.
In fact, there are several specialties within psychotherapy. Some therapists focus on the family, some on severe trauma. Some use the clients' thinking to make changes in behavior, others search deeply to heal the past and clear the way for a healthy tomorrow.
It is recommended that a person beginning a course of psychotherapy see or at least interview by phone more than one psychotherapist before selecting the person with whom they feel comfortable.
After your therapist is selected, the psychiatrist and the psychotherapist will have the client sign a “release of information” form so that they may coordinate the client's care using their specialized perspectives to ensure that they are working together to bring the person to full mental health.
Not all clients require medication, but when it is required this is the process and the reason why the two fields are separate and yet intertwined.
