Hi, I’m Danielle Penton and I provide psychiatric medication management at Pink Couch Wellness. Since arriving at Pink Couch, I’ve been asked what makes my role different from others in the office. Here I hope to explain some of the key distinctions.
Mental Health Therapy vs. Medication Management
The biggest difference between the providers in our office is our training and licensing. You may see the acronym LISW or LMHC following the names of our licensed mental health therapists. These providers offer one-hour sessions to help individuals work through their mental health issues. These sessions provide a safe space to discuss thoughts, feelings and behaviors. They provide long-term strategies and coping mechanisms to improve overall mental well-being.
Behind my name you’ll see the acronym PMHNP. I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner and provide medication to assist with the treatment of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, postpartum, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD and PTSD (to name a few!). My appointments typically last about 30 minutes and include discussion of side effects and medication results.
Therapy + Medication
Patients often come to me when they’ve either tried therapy and it hasn’t yielded them the results they hoped for, or if they’ve noticed signs of lowered functioning. For example, they’ve been unable to get out of bed in the morning due to sadness. A primary care doctor or a therapist can refer a patient to me, or in some instances, individuals will self-refer themselves.
Ultimately, the best care option might include a combination of both therapy and medication management. Therapists provide the tools and strategies to cope with and overcome issues, while medication supports this work. Our combined approach addresses both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health conditions.
One of the reasons I really wanted to join Pink Couch Wellness was to be able to support patients as they work on their mental health concerns, and to be able to support that journey by managing symptoms with personalized treatment plans using medication.
When is Medication Needed?
I want to emphasize that medication is not always needed in the treatment of mental health issues. If you have concerns about something in your life – be it a relationship, how you worry too much, or wondering why you feel sluggish and sad – you shouldn’t hesitate to seek treatment. At Pink Couch Wellness, our providers will work together to manage your symptoms and establish a care plan that will get you back to feeling confident and well again. Medication may be a part of that treatment, or it may not be. What’s most important is your ability to heal and get back on track as quickly as possible.
If you'd like to schedule an appointment with me or any of the other providers at Pink Couch Wellness, click here to get started.